Shiv Kumar Batalvi

Shiv Kumar Balatvi

23 Jul 1936 - 06 May 1973

His sorrow became his art, and his art became immortal.

I saw a video recently analyzing the music score of Sharukh Khan starrer Dunki, the gruesome scene where Vicky Khaushal is lighting himself because he was unable to save his lover the background music was so powerful that it made me cry, The writer behind "Ke puchdeo haal" was none other than Shiv Kumar Batalvi , sadly that's the only recording we have of him. 

Batalvi is often referred to as "Vireh da Sultan" translated to the king of sorrow.

Batalvi was born on the 23rd of July 1936 in Barapind, Pakistan during the partition his family shifted to Batala, India.

He was a intelligent student but struggled with the traditional education and dropped out of college multiple times. He was a literary prodigy he was always inclined to creative writing and literature, he used to also participate in kavi darbar (poet gathering).His encounters with love and heartbreak majorly influenced his poetry. It is believed that his love for a girl who later married someone else became a significant turning point, giving his poetry its characteristic sorrowful depth. he was blessed with words and often turned his real life story into mesmerizing poetry. he later on became a essential voice in punjabi poetry.

Despite his sorrow he married Aruna who belonged to a different social background but his inner turmoil,Alcohol adicction led to his death when he was just 36 years old on the 6th of May 1973.

Again proving the saying "Suffering and art go hand in hand." right.

His dairy the safekeep of his creations were burned and so was his recording at Akashvani, by a group of people who didn't want his writing to flourish and reach the masses. His only recording left is with the British brodcasting company.

HIS POETRY 

Shiv Kumar Batalvi's poetry is filled with raw emotion, intense longing, and themes of tragedy. His verses often depict the pain of separation.

Loonan (1965) – Is a reinterpretation of the classic tale of Puran Bhagat, depicting the suffering of a woman wronged by society. he was awarded Sahitya Akademi Award because of this.

Bollywood has also honored him by using his poems and creating songs Like Aaj din chadeya (one of my favourites) and Ikk Kudi 

Punjabi:
"Mainu vida karo, ve mere dholan,
Mainu vida karo, ve mere raanjha."

English:
"Bid me farewell, O my beloved,
Bid me farewell, O my Ranjha."

Punjabi:
"Ikk kudi,
Jihda naam mohabbat hai,
Gum hai, gum hai, gum hai."

English:
"A girl,
Whose name is love,
Is lost, is lost, is lost."

Punjabi:
"Ajj din chhadeya,
Tere rang varga,
Ajj din chhadeya,
Mainu Ghulab varga."

English:
"Today, the day has dawned,
Colored like you,
Today, the day has dawned,
Like a blooming rose for me."

Punjabi:
"Maye ni main kinu aakhan,
Dard vichhore da haal ni."

English:
"O mother, whom shall I tell,
The pain of this separation?"

Punjabi:
"Rukh dig paya, ve asmanio,
Mitti de vich rul gaya."

English:
"The tree has fallen, O skies,
It has merged into the dust."

Punjabi:
"Ajj akhan Waris Shah nu,
Kithon kabran vichon bol,
Te ajj kitab-e-ishq da
Koi agla warqa khol."

English:
"Today, I call upon Waris Shah,
Speak from your grave,
And open another chapter
Of the book of love."

Punjabi:
"Ki puchhde o haal fakeeran da,
Sada chhalla ghumeya ve dholna."

English:
"Why do you ask about the state of these wandering saints?
My beloved, my ring of fate has spun away."

Punjabi:
"Dukh dukh khedan mein khedan,
Dukh sada mehman ni."

English:
"I play with sorrows,
For sorrow is my eternal guest."

Punjabi:
"Teri dastaan main ki likha,
Dil mere hath na aaya."

English:
"How can I write your story,
When my heart is not in my control?"

HIS WRITING STYLE

Shiv Kumar Batalvi’s writing style is distinct, he incorporated folk traditions and modern themes.

 His work depicted love in the purest and the most painful form, his poetries where full of sorrow giving him the name "Vireh da Sultan".

 He used simple Punjabi making his work accessible to larger audience.

 His poetries often have a rhythmic pattern resulting in so many song adaptations.

His works questioned traditional morality, gender roles, and societal norms and portrayed women as strong.

SHIV KUMAR BATALVI'S INFLUENCE

Shiv Kumar Baltalvi changed the Punjabi poetry forever, poets before him often wrote about spirituality, patriotism, or classical themes. whereas Batalvi made personal emotion, heartbreak, and existential sorrow the center of his poetry.

Batalvi’s poetry has been widely adapted into music, making him a legend beyond literature. Many of his poems were turned into songs 

Jagjit Singh

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Gurdas Maan

Rabbi Shergill 

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Diljit Dosanjh

The above singer sang a song written by Batalvi

Many modern Punjabi poets, songwriters, and novelists credit Batalvi as their biggest influence.

Even today, his verses are widely quoted in Punjabi pop culture, music, and social media, proving that his words remain relevant despite the fact that all his creations were destroyed.

Shiv Kumar Batalvi was more than just a poet—he was the a voice for the broken-hearted, a rebel against societal norms, and a master of emotions. 

His poetry continues to live on in music, literature, and the hearts of his readers.