Pash
Birth
1950
– 1988
A strong and popular voice of resistance poetry. Assassinated in 1988 by extremists. Famous poem: “Sab Ton Khatarnak”
Avtar Singh Paash was not only the prominent poet of the Naxalwari movement in Punjabi literature but also a capable and representative poet of his time. He was born on September 9, 1950, in the village of Talwandi Salem, Jalandhar district, at the home of S. Sohan Singh. His father served in the army and had a hobby of writing poetry. Paash completed his middle school education at Government High School, Khiva, and enrolled in Junior Technical School, Kapurthala, but he left the diploma midway and passed the ninth grade from Jain High School, Jalandhar Cantonment. In 1967, Paash quit his studies and joined the Border Security Force. However, he couldn't continue this job for long and left it after three months.
Avtar Singh Paash started writing poetry at the age of fifteen. At this age, his inclination toward the communist movement began to grow, and through the influence of Comrade Chain Singh, he came close to the Youth Sabha. In 1967, Paash came under the influence of the Naxalwari movement, which sharpened his creative power and gave him a new identity as a poet in literary circles. In 1970, his first book, *Loh-Katha*, was published. After that, *Udde Bazan Magar*, *Sade Samian Vich*, and *Khilre Hoye Varke* were published. His poems have been translated into various Indian languages, including Hindi, Nepali, and English, among others. In 1972, Paash also started a magazine called *Siar*, which closed after one year.
Avtar Singh Paash wrote very boldly against injustice in his works. In 1986, considering the threat to his life, his friends called him abroad. Paash stayed in California with his family and there he published a magazine named Anti-47 Front. In 1988, Paash returned to India, but before departing again, on March 23, 1988, he was shot dead by three individuals in his village, Talwandi Salem.
Avtar Singh Paash started writing poetry at the age of fifteen. At this age, his inclination toward the communist movement began to grow, and through the influence of Comrade Chain Singh, he came close to the Youth Sabha. In 1967, Paash came under the influence of the Naxalwari movement, which sharpened his creative power and gave him a new identity as a poet in literary circles. In 1970, his first book, *Loh-Katha*, was published. After that, *Udde Bazan Magar*, *Sade Samian Vich*, and *Khilre Hoye Varke* were published. His poems have been translated into various Indian languages, including Hindi, Nepali, and English, among others. In 1972, Paash also started a magazine called *Siar*, which closed after one year.
Avtar Singh Paash wrote very boldly against injustice in his works. In 1986, considering the threat to his life, his friends called him abroad. Paash stayed in California with his family and there he published a magazine named Anti-47 Front. In 1988, Paash returned to India, but before departing again, on March 23, 1988, he was shot dead by three individuals in his village, Talwandi Salem.