| Event Name: | Punjabi Poetry : Satrangi |
| Description: | Born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1946, Amarjit Chandan has published seven collections of poetry and four books of essays in Punjabi and his poems have appeared in anthologies and magazines world-wide. He has edited and translated into Punjabi about thirty anthologies of Indian and world poetry and fiction by, among others, Brecht, Neruda, Ritsos, Hikmet, Cardenal, Martin Carter and John Berger. One of ten British poets selected by the Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, on National Poetry Day in 2001, he participated in the International Aldeburgh Poetry Festival the same year. He has given many readings throughout the world. His awards include the Life-time Achievement Award by the Language Department of the Punjab Government (2004); the Life-time Achievement Award by the Punjabis in Britain All-Party Parliamentary Group (2006); and the Life-time Achievement Award by the Anad Foundation New Delhi (2009). A short poem by Amarjit Chandan in both Punjabi and English is engraved in granite by the artist Alec Peever and installed in a square in Slough High Street. His latest collection in English translation Sonata for Four Hands (Arc) prefaced by John Berger was published recently.
One of the first Asian Performance Poets in this country, Parminder is located in the oral tradition, drawing on her Punjabi ancestry. She is also a noted singer/songwriter working in English, Punjabi and Pinglish. Very much of the Punjabi Diaspora, a central theme of her work has been to explore and chart notions of belonging and unbelonging. Her work has been published in various anthologies and journals, such as the Apples & Snakes Anthology of Verse and Feminist Arts News. Her poetry and comedy are featured on BBC, Radio Four Women’s Hour, World Service and on TV. She recently rewrote and performed aFeminist version of the Punjabi Lokh Classic-Madhaaniyan: Nikiyei, for the feature film. It's a Wonderful Afterlife, and as a writer and essayist, has significantly contributed to the Britsh Asian Theatre Archives-redefining 'theatre' to include the traditions of Orature (Exeter University) and the South Asian Archives (Gunnersbury Museum). Writer in Residence for the Punjab Exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society last year, she has also contributed to a number of award winning films and documentaries. |
| Type of Event: | Literary Events - Book Launch - Readings |
| Event Agenda: | In association with Satrangi, exploring and promoting the best in Panjabi Art, Thought and Literature |
| Event Location: | The Nehru Centre |
| Event City: | London |
| Type of Venue: | Embassy - High Commission |
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| Event Start Date | 14-Sep-10 |