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{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Giani Gurdit Singh
|image = Giani_Gurdit_Singh.jpg
|caption = Giani Gurdit Singh
|background = non_performing_personnel
| birth_place =
| birth_date ={{Birth date|df=yes|1923|02|24}}
| death_place =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2007|01|17|1923|02|24}}
|origin = Mithewal, [[Punjab, India]]
}}
'''Giani Gurdit Singh''' (24 February 1923 – 17 January 2007) was born in [[Mithewal]] village ([[Sangrur district]]) in the state of [[Punjab, India]]. He was considered one of the greatest contemporary writers in Punjabi and his book ''[[Mera Pind (book)|Mera Pind]]'' is regarded as a classic. It is now in its 14th edition and has been in print continuously since 1961. He was also a pioneering journalist, the Owner-Editor of ''Parkash'' (a [[Punjabi language]] newspaper) 1947–1978.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110125/edit.htm#5 The Tribune, Chandigarh: Parkash @ Rs 17 a kilo]</ref> He was also the Editor of ''[[Singh Sabha]] Patrika'' a monthly magazine of [[Sikh]] history and divinity (from 1973–1988).
Giani Gurdit Singh graduated as "Giani" from [[Punjab University, Lahore]] in 1945 and he specialised in literature, divinity, history and [[folklore]]. He was a member of the Punjab Legislative Council from 1956 to 1962. He contributed to the debates at that time and in the creation of Punjabi University, Patiala and in the recognition of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, as the 5th Takht of the Sikhs.<ref>Message by Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister Punjab, in the book ''Giani Gurdit Singh 1921–2007''.</ref> He was General Secretary of the Singh Sabha Shatabadi Committee, Amritsar, which was renamed Kendriya Sri Guru Singh Sabha.
As the Editor of the magazine ''Singh Sabha Patrika'' he focused on issues of importance to the Sikhs.
He also established two Guru Granth Vidya Kendras, one in Chandigarh and another in Mehrauli, Delhi.

==Family==
Giani Gurdit Singh is survived by his wife, '''Inderjit Kaur [[Sandhu clan|Sandhu]]''', a former Vice-Chancellor of [[Punjabi University]], [[Patiala]],.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.punjabiuniversity.ac.in/pages/new_intro.htm |title=List of Punjabi University Vice-Chancellors |access-date=17 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127113204/http://punjabiuniversity.ac.in/pages/new_intro.htm |archive-date=27 November 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070118/main5.htm The Tribune news report]</ref> and Chairperson, Services Selection Commission, Government of India, and his sons, [[Roopinder Singh]] (former Senior Associate Editor, The Tribune), and Ravinder Singh. Giani Gurdit Singh is a legend in the Punjabi-speaking world.
Sahitya Akademi, India's premier literary body, has a "Makers of Indian Literature" series of monograms. It published "Giani Gurdit Singh" in Punjabi by [[Baldev Singh (author)]] the famous novelist and Sahitya Akademi award winner, on Giani Gurdit Singh's life and literary works.

== Literary and research work ==

''Mera Pind'' draws a word picture of cultural life in Punjab, more specifically, of the Malwa region. With 29 chapters and 12 comments by critics, the 480-page book takes its readers through the life, customs, folk songs, seasons, using a series of relatable characters that find resonance with people who have a connection with the village life. It remains the author's most famous creation and is often prescribed as a textbook for advanced Punjabi students.
The following is a chronological listing of his published works:
* Edited 50 books, with introductory essays, for the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee[[SGPC]] in connection with tercentenary celebrations of the [[Khalsa]].
* 2003 ''Itihaas [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]]: Mundavani'' (History of Guru Granth Sahib: Mundavani)
* 2000 ''Itihaas [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]]: Bhagat Bani'' (History of Guru Granth Sahib: Bhagat Bani, second edition)
* 1995 ''Mera Pind'' (My Village), a substantially modified and enlarged edition with five new chapters
* 1990 ''Ithas [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]], Bhagat Bani Bhag'' (History of Sri Guru Granth Sahib)
* 1987 ''Punjabi Jiwan te Sabhyachar'' (Punjabi Life and Culture)
* 1971 ''Punjab Dian Lok Kahanian'' (Folk Tales of Punjab, in three volumes, running into 834 pages)
* 1967 ''Mera Pind da Jiwan'' (Life of my Village)
* 1965 ''[[Takht Sri Damdama Sahib]]'' (a research report)
* 1961 ''Bhat te Unhan di Rachna'' (Bhats and their creation)
* 1961 ''[[Mera Pind (book)|Mera Pind]]'' (My Village)
* 1960 ''Tith Tihar'' (Functions & Festivals)
* 1960 ''Reetan te Rewaj''
* 1960 ''Mere Pind di Rup Rekha'' (Facets of my Village)
* 1960 ''Viah Dian Rasma'' (Customs of Marriage)
* 1955 ''Achchoh Sikhran'' (Unattainable Paradigms, a collection of poems)
* 1954 ''Bhavan de Desh'' (Emotional Missives, a collection of poems)
* 1950 ''Amarnama'' (edited)
* 1945 ''Raag Mala di Asliat'' (The reality of Raag Mala)
* 19-- ''Nawan Punjab''
* ''[[Anandpur Sahib]] di Sahit nu Dein'' (The Contribution of Anandpur Sahib to Literature)

== Honours ==
* Punjabi Sahit Shiromani Puraskar, Languages Department, Punjab, 2006.
* Godrej No. 1 Doordarshan Panj Pani Sanman 2005 for contribution to the Punjabi heritage and culture by [[Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar]].
* Honoured by Chief Khalsa Diwan, Amritsar at the Centenary Celebrations. 2003
* S. Kartar Singh Dhaliwal Award by Punjabi Sahitya Akademi, Ludhiana, 2000
* Designated Gurmat Acharya by Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee, Amritsar in 1991
* UNESCO prize for Punjabi Literature for the book Mera Pind da Jiwan in 1967
* UNESCO prize for Punjabi Literature for the book Tith Tihar in 1960

== News ==
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080225/cth1.htm#9 25 February 2008 – Book on Giani Gurdit Singh released ]
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070118/main5.htm 17 January 2007 – Giani Gurdit Singh passes away]
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061020/punjab2.htm#2 20 October 2006 – Giani Gurdit Singh Ji awarded Punjabi Sahit Shiromani Puraskar]
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050603/jplus.htm#2 3 June 2005 – Mera Pind-fame Gurdit Singh expresses concern at westernisation of youngsters]
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050314/ldh1.htm#11 14 March 2005 – 'Save language to save Punjabi culture']
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040815/spectrum/book3.htm 15 August 2004– ''Mera Pind:'' A humorous trip down memory lane]

==References==

<references/>

== External links ==
* [http://www.gianigurditsingh.com Giani Gurdit Singh]
* [http://gianigurditsingh.com/roopindersingh.pdf Gurmat Acharya: Sahit Shiromani]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Giani Gurdit}}
[[Category:Indian Sikhs]]
[[Category:Punjabi people]]
[[Category:1923 births]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian journalists]]
[[Category:Sikh writers]]
[[Category:Journalists from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian essayists]]
[[Category:Indian social sciences writers]]

Giani Gurdit Singh - Revision history

imported>Checkcopy at 12:24, 17 February 2021