Ajaib Kamal
1932
– 2011
A leading poet of experimental poetry. He served as a teacher in Kenya for a long time.
Ajayib Kamal was a unique and multifaceted writer in Punjabi literature. He published his works in various genres such as poetry, ghazal, drama, and criticism. He was born on October 5, 1932, to father Jang Singh and mother Rai Kaur in the village of Dandiyan, Hoshiarpur district. He completed his B.A. from Khalsa College, Mahilpur, and later pursued a double M.A. from Punjab University. Ajayib Kamal taught English as a principal in Punjab for nine years before moving to Africa, where he served as the principal of A.B. Senior Secondary School in Nairobi, Kenya. After retiring from the Kenyan school, he resided in several countries including America, Canada, England, and various parts of Europe before returning to his native Punjab and settling in his village.
Ajayib Kamal is regarded as the all-round luminary of Punjabi literature. He also composed works in languages such as Urdu, Hindi, and English, which elevated his literary stature to a global level. His first collection of modern ghazals, *Shabdan Nange*, was published in 1981, followed by *Tukde Tukde Suraj*. His poetry collections include *Taash de Paat*, *Shatranj di Khed*, *Main Jo Paigambar Nahin*, *Ullaar Nasal da Saaraap*, *Bodi Wala Taara*, and *Vidrohi Peedh*. Additionally, his long poems encompass *Khala te Latke Manukh*, *Ikotrar Sau Akhan Wala Mahabharat*, *Retle Sheeshe*, *Africa vich Netrahin*, and the epic poems *Dharti Naama* and *Suraj Naama*. Besides these, he contributed to poetic dramas, novels, criticism, and literature in other languages.
Ajayib Kamal's works prominently feature modern ideology, rebellious sentiments, and human sensitivity. His writing uniquely blends human emotions, social issues, and philosophical ideas, drawing readers into profound introspection. In 1983, the Punjab Language Department honored him as a Shiromani Punjabi Sahityakar (Overseas). Ajayib Kamal passed away on January 21, 2011. He also established the Ajayib Kamal Sahityak and Social Welfare Trust in Mahilpur (Hoshiarpur), where he invested twenty lakh rupees in a fixed deposit. The interest from this fund supports an annual Kavi Darbar poetry gathering and provides cash awards to promising writers.
Ajayib Kamal is regarded as the all-round luminary of Punjabi literature. He also composed works in languages such as Urdu, Hindi, and English, which elevated his literary stature to a global level. His first collection of modern ghazals, *Shabdan Nange*, was published in 1981, followed by *Tukde Tukde Suraj*. His poetry collections include *Taash de Paat*, *Shatranj di Khed*, *Main Jo Paigambar Nahin*, *Ullaar Nasal da Saaraap*, *Bodi Wala Taara*, and *Vidrohi Peedh*. Additionally, his long poems encompass *Khala te Latke Manukh*, *Ikotrar Sau Akhan Wala Mahabharat*, *Retle Sheeshe*, *Africa vich Netrahin*, and the epic poems *Dharti Naama* and *Suraj Naama*. Besides these, he contributed to poetic dramas, novels, criticism, and literature in other languages.
Ajayib Kamal's works prominently feature modern ideology, rebellious sentiments, and human sensitivity. His writing uniquely blends human emotions, social issues, and philosophical ideas, drawing readers into profound introspection. In 1983, the Punjab Language Department honored him as a Shiromani Punjabi Sahityakar (Overseas). Ajayib Kamal passed away on January 21, 2011. He also established the Ajayib Kamal Sahityak and Social Welfare Trust in Mahilpur (Hoshiarpur), where he invested twenty lakh rupees in a fixed deposit. The interest from this fund supports an annual Kavi Darbar poetry gathering and provides cash awards to promising writers.