Baldev Singh Sadaknama

Baldev Singh is an acclaimed Punjabi writer from Moga, Punjab. He is the recipient of the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award (Indian Academy of Letters) for best book in Punjabi in 2011 for his novel Dhahvan Dilli De Kingre on the legendary Punjabi rebel Dulla Bhatti. Singh has also been honored with several awards including the ‘Shiromani Sahitkar’ Award from the Punjab State Government.

Holding a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s Degree in Punjabi, his literary journey began in 1977 with the publication of Gillian Chhitian Di Agg, a short story collection. After working as a teacher, he moved to Kolkata, West Bengal in search of a better life. There he worked as a truck cleaner and a cab driver until becoming a truck operator. His truck driving experience became the inspiration for Sadaknama, a regular serial in Amrita Pritam’s Nagmani magazine. Later the serials were published as a three-volume novel earning him fame and becoming endearingly known as Baldev Singh Sadaknama. His other creation Laal Batti deals with life in the red-light area of Kolkata. He is a prolific writer of 60 books in various genres including drama, essay, travelogue, autobiography and children’s literature, as well as works of translation. His other well-known novels include Annadatta, Panjwan Sahibzada and Satluj Vehnda Riha.