Jalandhar (Kl jit walia):- The 9th ‘Kranti Mela’, organized in fond memory of the legendary Martyr of the stage and artist of the masses, Master Makhan Kranti, was held on Sunday, March 8th, at Kranti Bhawan, Kranti Colony, Palnau, Pal-kadim, (Phillaur) in the Jalandhar district. The event was masterfully organized by the Pragati Kala Kendra (Regd.), Landhra, Jalandhar. This year’s Mela was dedicated to the true, fearless, and committed soldier of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s ideology, the esteemed thinker and writer K.C. Sulekh (Kartar Chand Sulekh).
The Mela served as a vibrant confluence of literature, art, and culture, bringing together thinkers, artists, writers, and social activists on one platform.
The Mela was inaugurated by the esteemed Harjinder Mall and Mrs. Chanchall Mall (eminent Buddhists). The traditional lamp-lighting ceremony was performed by Sh. Jagdish Gangadh. A warm welcome address was delivered by Master Kirandeep Singh Aidal (Jalalabad).
The 32nd Balraj Sahni Memorial Award was presented to the respected Pawan Harchandpuri (President, Kendriya Lekhak Sabha, Sekhon). The ‘Lok Kavi Charan Das Nidharak Award’ was given to the respected poet, Ravi Sharan Phillauria. The ‘Gauri Lankesh Journalism Award’ was conferred upon the respected Maninderjit Singh Sidhu (Lok Awaaz TV). The Master Makhan Kranti Lecturer Award, instituted by the G.S. Teacher Union and the Master Makhan Kranti Award Committee, was presented to Master Boota Ram Masani (Head Teacher, Government Primary Smart School, Katana).In a progressive and socially relevant gesture, a newlywed couple, Sapna and Jai, who married without a dowry, were blessed and honored with a commemorative certificate by the Pragati Kala Kendra, Landhra.
The Mela witnessed the release of several important books, enriching Punjabi literature and social thought:
· “Rangan De Ro-Ba-Ru” (an art book) by artist Kulpreet Rana (Canada) was released by Jaspal Bhatti (Dr. B.R. Missionary Welfare Association, Mohali).
· “Paradheenta Paap Hai” by author Darshan Singh Bajwa was released by the renowned Dalit story writer, Mohan Lal Phillauria.
· “Supnian Di Dharti Canada” (a travelogue) by director Sodhi Rana was released by Jai Balwinder Singh Dhandha (Austria).
· “Sachi Ramayan” (translation) by Chaman Lal Chankoa was released by Naresh Jassal (Austria).
· “Comrade Jangir Singh Joga” (a poetic saga) by Master Des Raj Chhajli was released by Smt. Kulwinder Kaur and Smt. Promila Devi.
· The “Bahujan Calendar” (Printer: Amarjeet Bangarh, New Zealand; Designer: Vishal Khahira) was released by Ramesh Kaul (Hadiabad).
It was noted that the publications ‘Paradheenta Paap Hai’, ‘Sachi Ramayan’, and the ‘Bahujan Calendar’ were printed with the generous financial support of the overseas supporter, Amarjeet Bangarh (New Zealand).
The cultural segment of the Mela was vibrant and well-received. The team from Pragati Kala Kendra (Landhra) presented a thought-provoking play, “Sade Buzurg Sada Maan” (Our Elders, Our Pride), directed by Sodhi Rana.
Various units of the Kendra presented captivating choreographies of ‘Missionary Boliyan’ and the Dohe of Guru Ravidas. The Bras Foundation (Gobindgarh-Khokhar) also presented a successful performance of scientifically-themed Boliyan and Giddha. The Lok Sangeet Mandli (Chhajli), under the leadership of Master Des Raj Chhajli, presented the powerful ‘Makhan Di Vaar’. The audience was also enthralled by the soulful performances of missionary singers Balwinder Bittu and Madam Saroj Lambri.
Artist Camp and Art Exhibition: A Visual Treat
In memory of the late artists of Pragatisheel Kala Kendra, Monica Pal and Charanjeet Channi Lasara, a remarkable art exhibition was organized. Led by Kulpreet Rana (Canada), Jaswant Sultanpuri, and Deepak Kumar of the Pragati Artist Group, the exhibition was inaugurated by Balwinder Dhandha and Naresh Jassal (Austria), with the lamp-lighting ceremony performed by the famous lyricist Ranjeet Hathur (Lecturer).
The exhibition featured works by several talented artists including Deepak Kumar (Malot), Mandeep Singh Mannu, Naresh (Amritsar), Jaswant Sultanpuri, Kulpreet Rana, Ranjeet Kaur, Kamaljeet Singh, Gagan Malhotra, Jashgill, Nirupam Anang (LPU), Vikas Heera, Rohit Thapar, Sonpal (LPU), and Anand Thakur. A special attraction was the presence of Dr. Hardeep Singh Sidhu, who inspired the audience with his paintings based on Buddhist themes and the Pali language.
Adding to the creative energy, an ‘Artist Camp’ centered on Bahujan icons was organized by the Pragati Artist Group under the guidance of Jaswant Sultanpuri and Deepak Kumar. Artists including V.K. Gharu, Atul Mattu, Rohit Thapar, Kavi Chauhan, Yash Gill, and Anmolpreet Singh participated, creating portraits of Bahujan heroes.
The Mela witnessed a large gathering of prominent personalities from the region, including Mohan Lal Phillauria, Des Raj Chhajli, Gurpreet Khokhar, Darshan Singh Bajwa, Sohan Sehjal, Amar Singh ‘Madhosh’, Ram Parkash Tony, Labh Singh, Jaswant Atti, Joginderpal Jhikka, Jagan Nath Jaggi, Sunil Ratainda, Sukhdev Patwari, Sonu Ambedkar, Ajay Yadav, Balbir Singh, Kulwinder Kaur, Promila Devi, and numerous Panches, Sarpanches, teachers, and dignitaries from the surrounding areas.
In his concluding address, the director of the team, Sodhi Rana, along with Amarjeet Amri and Master Kirandeep Singh, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the cooperating personalities, institutions, and media colleagues for making the 9th Kranti Mela a resounding success.
KL JIT WALIA
