Balbir Singh (scholar)
Panth Ratan Dr. Balbir Singh | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13/12/1896 Amritsar, Punjab ,India |
| Died | 01/10/ 1974 |
| Occupation | scholar |
| Language | Punjab |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Ph.D. (Chemistry) |
| Alma mater | London University London |
| Subject | Sikh Philosophy |
| Notable works | Nirukata Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Lambi Nadar |
| Relatives | Bhai Vir Singh brother |
Dr. Balbir Singh born in 1896 at Katra Garba Singh, gali baba Kahan Singh Hakim, Amritsar, is brother of famous Bhai Vir Singh.[1]
early Life & Education
His father Dr CHARAN Singh expired at his early age of 12.[2] He was brought up by his elder brother dr. Bhai Vir Singh whom he called as his father. After his primary education in Amritsar he passed his M.Sc. degree from Govt. College Lahore. He proceeded to England and obtained his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from University of London.[2] In 1923 he returned to India [2] maintaining his sikhi saw roop as promised to his brother before proceeding there.
Works
After coming back he did not join Govt. service as was arranged for him . He took up his first assignment as Principal of Cambridge Preparatory School at Dehradun in 1925 which he continued to serve till 1935. He joined as Director of P& S Bank in 1937. He was promoted to Managing Director in 1947 which post he continued to hold till 1960.[1]
Literary Works
He had lot of literary interests and wanted always to help his brother in his works. He started writing history of Singh Sabha Movement and published Charan Hari Visthar a life history of his family and father in two volumes. He also helped his brother Bhai VIR Singh in compilation of Guru Granth Kosh. He has been a great scholar and author of many books on Sikh religious philosophy in Punjabi and English. During his lifetime itself he had a large collection of rare books nearly 1000 in number at his residence in Dehradun known as Panchbati, which has been converted to memorial library and art gallery in his name. Some of his important published works [2] are:
- Charan Hari Visthar 2 Volumes
- Kalam dee Karamat
- Lambi Nadar
- Shudh Saroop
- Ragmala da Swal
- Kavi Jodh
- Kavi Aalam (English)
- Message of Guru Gobind Singh and other Essays
It is an encyclopaedic dictionary of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.[3] This was an important project started by him. He published the first volume in his lifetime and was continuing his work till his end came on 1 October 1974, when he had already given the second volume to press after final editing. Further Punjabi University Patiala has published four more volumes as per guidelines established by him.[4]
A quarterly literary magazine Panchbati Sandesh was also started by him, which has been continued by her daughter Bibi Mohinder Kaur and subsequently by Punjabi University Patiala.[2]
Balbir Singh Sahitya Kendra a memorial library and art gallery has been established at the residence of Dr. Balbir Singh in Dehradun which has been donated to Punjabi University Patiala. The work of publishing remaining volumes on Nirukat has been entrusted to this Kendra.
References
- ^ a b Mahan Singh Giani. Gurmukh Jivan. Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan. pp. 242–244.
- ^ a b c d e staff writer (3 oct 1974). "dr. Balbir Singh passes away". Khalsa Samachar (weekly): 1.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|publicationdate=(help); Unknown parameter|publicationdate=ignored (|publication-date=suggested) (help) - ^ http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090125/dplus1.htm
- ^ ":: Punjabi University, Patiala ::". punjabiuniversity. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
Modern Sikh writers (1848 to date) | |
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