Barkat Ram
Birth
1905
– 1967
Barkat Ram Yuman was a distinguished master of poetry and ghazal. His list of disciples is extensive, among whom Shiv Kumar holds a place of particular significance.
Barkat Ram Yuman was a renowned Punjabi ghazal poet and writer, born on January 26, 1905, in the village of Bhutta, Pasrur Tehsil, Sialkot (now in Pakistan). His father’s name was Shri Sandhu Ram, and his mother’s name was Har Kaur. He received his early education at the government school in Kila Sobha Singh. Barkat Ram adopted the pen name "Yuman," an Arabic word meaning "blessing," which aligns with the meaning of his first name, Barkat.
His passion for literature led him to poetry, and even during his student life, he began writing poems, primarily infused with patriotic sentiments. His patriotic poetry was deemed seditious by his schoolteacher, who punished him by ordering him to place his hands under the legs of a chair. Despite this, Barkat refused to surrender his poems, showcasing his determination and resolve.
In 1934, Barkat Ram began teaching at Sanatan Dharma High School in Lahore, where he shared his compositions with Pandit Ram Sharan, an advocate whom he considered his mentor. He served as the president of the Punjabi Kavi Sabha in Lahore for eight years, organizing monthly poetry gatherings that fostered love and enthusiasm for Punjabi language and literature among the people. His fame grew to the extent that he became widely known as "Ustad Yuman."
Initially, Barkat Ram wrote poetry in Urdu, but from 1935 onward, he switched to his mother tongue, Punjabi, and continued writing in it until his last days. He composed over a thousand high-quality poems, experimenting with nearly every poetic form. Due to financial constraints, he was unable to publish his works during his lifetime. After his death, his wife and sons donated all his manuscripts to Guru Nanak Dev University, which later published his works.
Barkat Ram Yuman passed away on December 22, 1967. His literary legacy continues to thrive in the realm of Punjabi poetry. Through his literary and social contributions, he played a significant role in promoting and enriching Punjabi language and culture.
His passion for literature led him to poetry, and even during his student life, he began writing poems, primarily infused with patriotic sentiments. His patriotic poetry was deemed seditious by his schoolteacher, who punished him by ordering him to place his hands under the legs of a chair. Despite this, Barkat refused to surrender his poems, showcasing his determination and resolve.
In 1934, Barkat Ram began teaching at Sanatan Dharma High School in Lahore, where he shared his compositions with Pandit Ram Sharan, an advocate whom he considered his mentor. He served as the president of the Punjabi Kavi Sabha in Lahore for eight years, organizing monthly poetry gatherings that fostered love and enthusiasm for Punjabi language and literature among the people. His fame grew to the extent that he became widely known as "Ustad Yuman."
Initially, Barkat Ram wrote poetry in Urdu, but from 1935 onward, he switched to his mother tongue, Punjabi, and continued writing in it until his last days. He composed over a thousand high-quality poems, experimenting with nearly every poetic form. Due to financial constraints, he was unable to publish his works during his lifetime. After his death, his wife and sons donated all his manuscripts to Guru Nanak Dev University, which later published his works.
Barkat Ram Yuman passed away on December 22, 1967. His literary legacy continues to thrive in the realm of Punjabi poetry. Through his literary and social contributions, he played a significant role in promoting and enriching Punjabi language and culture.