HIMACHAL EXCELLENCE AWARD 2017

Himachal This Week

In our endeavour to honour different personalities of the state and salute their devotion in their respective fields of specialisation, Himachal This Week carried the achievements of Himachali personalities who excelled in the Ayurveda and agriculture fields.

This week finds a mention of those personalities who earned a niche in the fields of literature and folk singing due to their outstanding achievements in respective fields.

Litterateur Of The Year: Dr. Sushil Kumar Phull

Citation: Dr. Sushil Kumar Phull of Palampur is an established name in Hindi literature due to his versatile creative genius. Credited with writing the first literary history of Himachal’s Hindi literature in 1980 and again in 2007, he has to his credit 250 stories, 70 books, reviews of 1800 books and 13 collection of stories besides many awards. Known for his sharp comments, Dr. Sushil Kumar Phull prefers stories with an open ending rather than having a moral tagged to it.

For his remarkable achievements in the field of Hindi literature,  Himachal This Week confers on him Himachal Excellence Award 2017.

Born On August 15, 1941, Dr. Sushil Kumar Phull of Palampur in Kangra district is an established name in Hindi literature due to his versatile creative genius. His spark in creative writing was stirred by his English teacher in the school who encouraged his students to read Russian classics. A Ph.D in Hindi from Panjab University, Chandigarh, Dr. Phull researched and wrote the first literary history of Himachal’s Hindi literature in 1980 and again in 2007. Jalandhar Doordarshan had interviewed the writer in 1981 showing credit for writing the pioneer literary history of Himachal’s Hindi literature. He again wrote ‘Hindi Sahitya Ka Subodh Itihas’, published by international publisher five years ago. A voracious reader, Dr. Phull has published reviews of more than 1800 books in the last five decades in newspapers and magazines. His first story was published in a short story collection ‘Kalian Aur Kante’ from Amritsar in 1960 and at the national level in ‘Sarika’, a Hindi fiction magazine, in 1968. And then he never looked back. A prolific writer, his stories on the life and culture of Gaddis brought him accolades from all over the country. ‘Memna’ story won him All India Short story prize in 1978. One of his recent stories ‘Muktidwar’, published in Samkaleen Bharatiya Sahitya is perfect combination of fact and fiction. Dr Phull has written more than 250 stories besides thirteen collection of stories. He is known for propounding his theory of Sahaj Kahani, described as an artistic story just as the circulation of blood in our veins is artistic. He prefers stories with an open ending rather than having a moral tagged to it. His collection ‘U Singh La Pata Hai’ won him HP Academy Award in 2000. He has published more than 70 books in the last five decades in addition to a sizeable contribution to novels with the first published in 1970. His fiction ‘Mitti Ki Gandh’ won him HP Academy Award in 1983 and ‘Haare Hue Log’ won him HP State Award, Chander Dhar Sharma Guleri Award, in 1990. Reading and writing are his twin passions. He had joined the College of Agriculture as founder teacher in 1966 and retired as Professor & Head from CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur. Having represented Himachal Pradesh in the Vishwa Hindi Sammelan in 1983 besides attending workshop for Asian writers in 1978, Dr. Phull is known for his sharp comments wherever he finds it to his aversion. Honoured by over 20 literary organizations for his useful contribution to Hindi literature, Dr. Phull has been editing a magazine ‘Rachana’ since 1985 that has acted as a platform for the new and old buddies.

Folk Singer Of The Year: Inderjeet

Citation: Inderjeet of Kullu has made his passion for singing as his career also. He has carved a niche in singing Kulluvi folk songs that are viewed by lakhs of people on social media. Inderjeet is fully committed to conserve folk songs and so far has sung more than 100 in his melodiously different voice. His recent song was viewed by nearly 4 lakh people on YouTube.

For his remarkable contribution in the field of folk singing, Himachal This Week confers on him Himachal Excellence Award 2017.

Inderjeet, folk singer of Kullu valley, has impressed one and all, including youth and elders, with his folk singing talent. He has carved a niche in a short span in this field and is followed by thousands on social media. He did his initial schooling from Shalag school in Lagveli village and completed his graduation from Government College, Kullu.  Thereafter Inderjeet made his passion for singing his profession also as he was fascinated towards singing folk songs since his childhood. He came with his first album, including the song ‘Dil ka kya kasoor Reshma’, that was instant hit among his fans. People like Inderjeet’s voice because its different from other folk singers. Until now he has sung more than 100 folk songs besides writing lyrics of songs. Notably, none of his family members had any interest in singing at any stage. His mother Leela Devi, a housewife, has never sung a song but she always supports her son Inderjeet. She always makes special arrangements when Inderjeet leaves house for shooting of an album along with his friends. His father Nokh Ram too had no interest in singing but he always supports Inderjeet to pursue his passion for singing. His recent song Saaja laaga Magha rey on YouTube was a great hit among listeners as it was viewed by nearly 4 lakh people with in a week. Inderjeet stresses that one should not forget old culture and traditions. He is fully committed for conservation of folk culture. He regales the listeners by singing traditional Kulluvi songs in his melodious voice. Inderjeet’s new album is due for release on February 14 that contains love songs of the olden time.
–By Shalini Roy Bhardwaj/Kullu

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