Hira Singh
1889
– 1965
Renowned poet and writer.. He was imprisoned several times for his opposition to British rule. He also published a monthly magazine titled Phulwari.
Hira Singh Dard was a famous Punjabi poet, writer and journalist. He started writing poetry under the pen name 'Dard' (meaning pain) during his youth, focusing on religious and patriotic themes. This pen name later became an integral part of his own name. Hira Singh Dard was born on September 30, 1889, in the house of Sardar Hari Singh Niranjani in the village of Ghaghrot, district Rawalpindi. He completed his school education in Rawalpindi and in 1907, he started working as a toll clerk for the local Municipal Committee. However, he left this job after some time and began working as a teacher in a Singh Sabha School. Alongside his teaching job, he passed the 'Vidwan' and 'Gyani' examinations from Punjab University, Lahore.
In the early years of India's independence movement, Hira Singh Dard served as the secretary of the Sikh League and also worked as a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Additionally, he was a member of the Punjab Provincial Congress Committee and the All India Congress Committee.
Hira Singh Dard started writing during his studies and teaching career. During this period, he wrote poems on Sikh historical figures and events, which were published in two poetry collections: *Upkaran di Vangi* and *Sikh Bachio Jago*, in 1912 and 1913 respectively. After the Partition of India, Hira Singh Dard settled permanently in Jalandhar and continued his work as a writer there. His writings include *Hoor Angere*, *Chonve Dard Sunehe*, *Panth, Dharm ate Rajniti*, *Navin Bharat de Rajsi Aagu*, *Meria Kuchh Itihasik Yadan*, *Gadar Party da Sankhep Kahani*, *Socialism Ki Hai*, *Fascism Ki Hai*, *Gandhi Ji Dian Simritian*, among others. He wrote poetry collections, story collections, travelogues, biographies, memoirs, and many other works. Hira Singh Dard also wrote a history of Punjabi literature.
In 1920, the daily Punjabi newspaper *Akali* was started from Lahore by Master Sundar Singh Lyallpuri. The role of editor was performed by Mangal Singh and the role of co-editor was performed by Hira Singh Dard. Due to the newspaper's stance against the government, he had to go to jail several times. In the field of journalism, apart from the *Akali* newspaper, he also edited publications like *Khalsa Sevak*, *Kaumi Dard*, *Desh Bhagat*, *Nawan Yug*, and *Lal Savaeran*. In 1924, after being released from jail, Hira Singh started the literary magazine *Phulwari*, which gave special importance to the Punjabi language. Before India's independence, this magazine was published from Amritsar, and after Partition, it continued to be published from Jalandhar.
Hira Singh Dard passed away in Jalandhar on June 22, 1965.
In the early years of India's independence movement, Hira Singh Dard served as the secretary of the Sikh League and also worked as a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Additionally, he was a member of the Punjab Provincial Congress Committee and the All India Congress Committee.
Hira Singh Dard started writing during his studies and teaching career. During this period, he wrote poems on Sikh historical figures and events, which were published in two poetry collections: *Upkaran di Vangi* and *Sikh Bachio Jago*, in 1912 and 1913 respectively. After the Partition of India, Hira Singh Dard settled permanently in Jalandhar and continued his work as a writer there. His writings include *Hoor Angere*, *Chonve Dard Sunehe*, *Panth, Dharm ate Rajniti*, *Navin Bharat de Rajsi Aagu*, *Meria Kuchh Itihasik Yadan*, *Gadar Party da Sankhep Kahani*, *Socialism Ki Hai*, *Fascism Ki Hai*, *Gandhi Ji Dian Simritian*, among others. He wrote poetry collections, story collections, travelogues, biographies, memoirs, and many other works. Hira Singh Dard also wrote a history of Punjabi literature.
In 1920, the daily Punjabi newspaper *Akali* was started from Lahore by Master Sundar Singh Lyallpuri. The role of editor was performed by Mangal Singh and the role of co-editor was performed by Hira Singh Dard. Due to the newspaper's stance against the government, he had to go to jail several times. In the field of journalism, apart from the *Akali* newspaper, he also edited publications like *Khalsa Sevak*, *Kaumi Dard*, *Desh Bhagat*, *Nawan Yug*, and *Lal Savaeran*. In 1924, after being released from jail, Hira Singh started the literary magazine *Phulwari*, which gave special importance to the Punjabi language. Before India's independence, this magazine was published from Amritsar, and after Partition, it continued to be published from Jalandhar.
Hira Singh Dard passed away in Jalandhar on June 22, 1965.