International Punjabi Literature Prize Bridges Borders; Youth Awards Build Bridges
Vancouver, BC (September 12, 2019) – The Dhahan Prize proudly announces the 2019 winners awarded for excellence in Punjabi literature. The Dhahan Prize promotes Punjabi literature on a global scale by awarding $25,000 annually to the best book of fiction published in either Gurmukhi or Shahmukhi scripts, along with two additional finalist prizes of $10,000 CDN.
First Prize ~ $25,000:
Jyona Sach Baki Jhooth, ਜਿਊਣਾ ਸੱਚ ਬਾਕੀ ਝੂਠ , جیوؤنا سچ باقی جھوٹ
(‘Living is Truth, All Else a Lie’), a collection of short stories by Jatinder Singh Haans (Aloona Tola, Punjab, India)
Finalist ~ $10,000: Shahmukhi Script
Kaun, ਕੌਣ, کون
(‘Who’), a Novelette by Mudassar Bashir (Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan)
Finalist ~ $10,000: Gurmukhi script
Aam Khaas ਆਮ-ਖ਼ਾਸ عام خاص
(‘Ordinary Extraordinary’), a collection of short stories by Gurdev Singh, Rupana, Punjab, India
“The 2019 Dhahan Prize winning works challenge us to grapple with three questions – what is truth, what is ordinary and extraordinary in peoples’ daily lives and who are we if we don’t know our history?”
“These stories are outstanding examples of the depth and breadth of the literary talent of the three authors.”
Barj S. Dhahan, Founder of the Prize.
The Dhahan Prize is the largest literary award celebrating the rich history of the Punjabi language. The Prize aims to inspire the creation of Punjabi literature across borders, bridging Punjabi communities around the world, and promoting Punjabi literature on a global scale. The awards garner critical acclaim and significant exposure for aspiring and established writers, setting the stage for its select winners to reach broader multilingual audiences.
The Dhahan Prize was established in Vancouver, British Columbia, where Punjabi people, language, and culture have a rich history. Punjabi is now the 3rd most spoken language in Canada and is a strong thread in the multicultural fabric of the nation. The prize has been established by the Canada India Education Society in partnership with the Department of Asian Studies in the Faculty of Arts at University of British Columbia, and is currently funded by Barj and Rita Dhahan, and family and friends.
On November 2, 2019 the Prize winners will be honored at a Prize ceremony and celebration in Vancouver, Canada.
See the 2019 Dhahan Prize Short List
Sanjhi Kukh, ਸਾਂਝੀ ਕੁੱਖ, سانجھی کُکھ
(Novel), Amin Malik, (ਨਾਵਲ), ਅਮੀਨ ਮਲਿਕ, ناول , امین ملک
Ikk Hor Janam, ਇੱਕ ਹੋਰ ਜਨਮ, اک ہور جنم
(Novel), Major Mangat, (ਨਾਵਲ), ਮੇਜਰ ਮਾਂਗਟ, ناول , میجر مانگٹ
Murgabian, ਮੁਰਗ਼ਾਬੀਆਂ, مرغابیاں
(Short stories), Gurmeet Panag, (ਕਹਾਣੀ ਸੰਗ੍ਰਹਿ), ਗੁਰਮੀਤ ਪਨਾਗ, کہانی سنگریہہ, گُر میت پناگ
Hijar Tera Je Pani Mungay, ਹਿਜਰ ਤੇਰਾ ਜੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਮੰਗੇ, ہجر تیرا جے بانی منگے
Zahid Hassan, (ਕਹਾਣੀ ਸੰਗ੍ਰਹਿ), ਜ਼ਾਹਿਦ ਹਸਨ, کہانی سنگریہہ , زاہد حسن
Arth Badalde Rishte, ਅਰਥ ਬਦਲਦੇ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇ, ارتھ بدلدے رشتے
(Short stories), Harjinder Singh Surewalia, (ਕਹਾਣੀ ਸੰਗ੍ਰਹਿ), ਹਰਜਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੂਰੇਵਾਲੀਆ, کہانی سنگریہہ ہرجندر سنگھ سوریوالیا
Khandav Daah, ਖਾਂਡਵ ਦਾਹ, کھانڈو داہ
(Novel), Balbir Parwana, (ਨਾਵਲ), ਬਲਵੀਰ ਪਰਵਾਨਾ, ناول , بلویر پروانہ
Rang Di Bazi, ਰੰਗ ਦੀ ਬਾਜ਼ੀ, رنگ دی بازی
(Short stories), Ajmer Sidhu, (ਕਹਾਣੀ ਸੰਗ੍ਰਹਿ), ਅਜਮੇਰ ਸਿੱਧੂ, کہانی سنگریہہ اجمیر سندھو
