This year, the Dhahan Prize will be hosting multiple events to celebrate Punjabi language and culture, while advocating for Truth and Reconciliation for Canada’s Indigenous people and highlighting the need for women writers.
See below for our list of events. Event information is given for each event below.
Download PDF posters of all 2022 Dhahan Prize events
Jump to:
- Nov. 17, 2022 – Voices from a smouldering underground
- Nov. 17, 2022 – Dhahan Prize Ceremonies
- Nov. 19, 2022 – Meet Dhahan Prize Finalists – Dialogue & Reading Event
- Nov. 22, 2022 – My Caste – My Shadow
Nov. 17, 2022 – Voices from a smouldering underground
Join us for this panel and dialogue with Balbir Madhopuri, a former child labourer who became a renowned author, along with Arvinder Kaur, female Punjabi writer and literary critic.
At this event, the two will speak to the parallels between the lower caste struggle and the lack of female authors represented in Punjabi literature. The theme will uncover ways in which truthful storytelling helps to overcome barriers.
Balbir Madhopuri is a 2021 Dhahan Prize Finalist for his book, ‘Mitti Bol Peye’ (‘The Earth Speaks’).
Arvinder Kaur is a 2022 Dhahan Prize Finalist for her book, ‘Jhanjaran Wale Paer’ (‘Feet with Tinkling Bells’).
Event Details:
Title: Voices from a smouldering underground
Date: Nov. 17, 2022
Time: 1 – 2 p.m.
Place: Room #F125, F Building, University House, University of the Fraser Valley
Find on Google Maps: https://g.page/goUFV?share
Entry: FREE
- Join the conversation on storytelling as a path towards freedom for the marginalized.
- Learn parallels between the historical experiences of women and lower castes in India.
- Explore ideas for moving forward while healing from injustice.
- Gain life insights from towering authors who have overcome barriers.
Hosted & presented by:
Dr. Satwinder Bains, Director, South Asian Studies Institute (SASI)
Barj Dhahan, Founder, The Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature
Nov. 17, 2022 – Dhahan Prize Ceremonies
Our biggest event of the year, and the hallmark gathering where we honour three Finalist authors for their outstanding work in Punjabi fiction.
Time: 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Place: Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel 15269 104 Avenue Surrey, BC V3R 1N5
Find on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/i55VisLR2eKiww7C7
Tickets, registration and full info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-dhahan-prize-ceremonies-tickets-440683966607
Nov. 19, 2022 – Meet Dhahan Prize Finalists – Dialogue & Reading Event
Meet Dhahan Prize Finalists on November 19, 2022 at Surrey Library, City Centre Branch, Meeting Room 120, from 1 – 3 p.m.
Authors will dialogue and read works of literature. Present will be:
Balbir Madhopuri – a 2021 Dhahan Prize Finalist for his book, ‘Mitti Bol Peye’ (‘The Earth Speaks’). This towering literary figure is a former child labourer who became a renowned author, among other accomplishments.
Arvinder Kaur – a 2022 Dhahan Prize Finalist for her book, ‘Jhanjaran Wale Paer’ (‘Feet with Tinkling Bells’). She is a literary critic, translator and transliterator, fluent in Punjabi (Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi scripts), Urdu and Persian.
Balwinder Singh Grewal – a 2022 Dhahan Prize Finalist for his book, ‘Dubolia‘ (‘The Diver’). He is an award-winning Punjabi author.
Event details:
Date: Nov. 19, 2022
Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Place: Surrey Library, City Centre Branch, Meeting Room 120
Find on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/NEDeTUJT1pQuTYv39
Entry: FREE
Hosted & presented by:
Committee of Progressive Pakistani Canadians
Punjabi Writer’s Manch Vancouver
Vancouver Thinker’s Forum
Barj Dhahan, Founder, The Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature
Nov. 22, 2022 – My Caste – My Shadow
Join us for this rare opportunity to hear the incredible story of towering literary figure, Balbir Madhopuri, a former child labourer who became a renowned author, among other accomplishments. At this event he will speak to the Dalit struggle, and how literature helps create pathways to freedom from oppression.
Balbir Madhopuri is a 2021 Dhahan Prize Finalist for his book, ‘Mitti Bol Peye’ (‘The Earth Speaks’). His ground-breaking autobiography, ‘Chhangiya Rukh: Against the Night’ has been translated into English, Hindi, Urdu, Russian and Polish.
Event details:
Title: My Caste – My Shadow, Flights of Freedom Through Literature
Date: Nov. 22, 2022
Time: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Auditorium, Asian Centre, UBC, 1871 West Mall
Find on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/pB34PVpMQCmiZEDq6
Entry: FREE
- Learn to use writing as an expression of power.
- Create pathways to justice through literature and the arts.
- Uncover experiences of lower castes in India.
- Address the impact of colonialism, racism, and discrimination.
- Explore ideas for moving forward while healing from injustice.
Hosted & presented by:
Gurinder Mann, Lecturer, UBC, Punjabi Language and Culture,
Barj Dhahan, Founder, The Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature
