Pritam Singh

Pritam Singh Safir was born in 1916 in the village of Mallpur, located in the Rawalpindi district of undivided Punjab (now in Pakistan). His father, Sardar Mehtab Singh, was a schoolteacher and a prominent Sikh political activist who had a profound influence on Safir’s life and worldview. After completing his matriculation from Sri Guru Arjan Dev Khalsa College High School, Safir went on to earn his B.A. from Khalsa College, Amritsar in 1935, and later obtained an LL.B. from Law College, Lahore. He chose law as his profession and, after the Partition in 1947, he moved to Delhi, where he eventually served as a judge in the Delhi High Court—an indication of his intellectual calibre and professional acumen.

Safir began writing poetry around 1930. His first poetry collection, Kattak Koonjan, was published in 1938. This was followed by several other significant works such as Paap Da Sohila, Raag Rishman, Rakt Boondan, Adi Jugadi, and Sarb Kala, which collectively solidified his place in the Punjabi literary canon. In recognition of his contributions to Punjabi literature, the Punjab Languages Department honoured him with the title of "Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar" (Eminent Punjabi Litterateur).

Pritam Singh Safir made a lasting impact on modern Punjabi poetry. His works uniquely blend mysticism, social awareness, and human sensitivity. Safir’s poetic voice brought new colours to modernism while remaining rooted in classical Punjabi literary traditions. This fusion of the old and the new earned him a special place in the hearts of Punjabi readers. His poetry reflects deep intellectualism and spirituality, often addressing the pressing issues of contemporary society.

On March 31, 1999, Pritam Singh Safir passed away in Delhi due to a heart attack, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire readers and poets alike.