Nand Lal Noorpuri
Nand Lal Noorpuri | |
---|---|
Born |
Nand Lal June 1906 Noorpur, Layallpur district, British Punjab |
Died | 13 May 1966 (aged 59–60) |
Occupation | Poet, Lyricist |
Nand Lal Noorpuri (Punjabi: ਨੰਦ ਲਾਲ ਨੂਰਪੁਰੀ) was a well-known Punjabi poet, writer and lyricist of Punjab.[1][2] He wrote lyrics for many films including Mangti. He committed suicide on May 13, 1966.[1][2]
Early life
Noorpuri was born in June 1906, to father Bishan Singh and mother Hukman Devi, in the Noorpur village of Layallpur district[1] in British Punjab.[2] He studied in Khalsa high school and Khalsa college in Layallpur (renamed as Faisalabad after partition). He quit college and joined first as a teacher and then as an assistant sub-inspector in Bikaner[1] in Rajasthan where he received a bravery award.[1] He married Sumittra Devi[1][2] and the couple was blessed with four daughters and two sons. After partition, in 1947, he settled in Jalandhar.[1]
Career
In 1940, he left police force and came back to Punjab and wrote lyrics for Punjabi film Mangti.[1][2][3] that made him known to everyone in Punjab. But the partition changed everything for him. The source of income dried up. He lost his home and livelihood and came to Jalandhar.[1] Later, he found work in radio and started participating in kavi darbars (English: poetic concerts). His songs sung by many notable singers of Punjab including Mohammad Rafi,[1] Surinder Kaur,[2] Narinder Biba, Asa Singh Mastana, Parkash Kaur, A.S. Kang and more.
Death
Disillusioned with his own poverty and lack of support and recognition from the government, he committed suicide on May 13, 1966,[1][2] by jumping into the well near his house in Model House Block-A colony, Jalandhar.
Nand Lal Noorpuri Society
Some years back, some poets and journalists formed the Nand Lal Noorpuri Society with the aim to spread the poet's work.[1] Currently, it has the only annual award it gives to singers and poets. Sarbjit Cheema is the recent to receive this award for his song on girl foeticide.[1]