The Dhahan Prize For Punjabi Literature

To inspire the creation of Punjabi literature across borders, bridging Punjabi communities around the world and promoting Punjabi literature on a global scale.

Balijit

Balijit author of Uchian Awazan, ਉੱਚੀਆਂ ਆਵਾਜ਼ਾਂ, اُچیاں آوازاں

Mohali, Punjab, India

Balijit earned a BA from the Government College in Ropar and an MA from Punjab University, Chandigarh. He wrote his first story while studying in college. His professor, Bhushan Dhianpuri, encouraged students to submit their stories for a writing contest. Balijit’s story won the contest, which then launched his literary journey. Today, he is a respected author, having produced three collections of short stories – ‘Soan Gallan’ (2006), ‘Ebartana’ (2010) and Uchian Awazan (2022). A Hindi translation of ‘Ebartana’ was published in 2019. He is the recipient of the Lok Kavi Gurdas Ram Alam award. In 2022 the ‘Noooan’ or ‘Loooan’ story was conferred the Urmila Anand Simrati Book award.