Patiala, May 22: Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi, a veteran of Punjabi and Hindi literature, passed away today. He was 98 years old and was unwell for some time. The invaluable contribution made by Dr. Jaggi to the world of literature will always be a source of inspiration for generations to come. He continued to serve literature while he was alive along with his wife Dr. Gursharan Kaur Jaggi (Retired Principal, Government College for Women, Patiala) and son Malvinder Singh Jaggi (Retired IAS).
-Dr. Jaggi’s contribution to literature
Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi was an extremely productive writer, having written more than 150 books. He was counted among the eminent scholars of Punjabi and Hindi literature, and his deep research on Gurmat and Bhakti movement made him an expert. Due to his literary contribution, he was awarded the Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi Award by the Government of India. Apart from this, he was also awarded the Punjabi Sahitya Shiromani Award by the Government of Punjab. His long list of honours includes awards conferred by the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and honours given by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
-Dr. Jaggi’s educational and literary life
Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi devoted more than six decades of his life to the study, writing and criticism of medieval literature. He did his PhD in 1962 from Punjab University, Chandigarh, on Dasam Granth Da Puranik Adhyayan (Critical Study of Puranic Compositions in Dasam Granth). This was followed by a D.Litt degree in 1973 from Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, on Shri Guru Nanak: Vyaktivarti, Krititva Aur Chintan (Guru Nanak: His Personality, Works and Teachings).
Dr. Jaggi did many important literary and educational works before retiring as Professor and Head of the Department of Punjabi Literature from Punjabi University, Patiala in 1987. He was fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Persian and Sanskrit languages and produced amazing, voluminous and highly acclaimed literary works in these languages.
Contribution on Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Sikhism
Dr. Jaggi did many important works on Sikhism and Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He wrote a comprehensive commentary in 8 volumes called Bhava Prabodhan Tika-Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which was published in Punjabi and Hindi. Apart from this, he composed important texts like Sikh Panth Vishwakosh (Encyclopedia of Sikhism) and Arthbodh Sri Guru Granth Sahib (sub-commentary of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in five volumes).
Guru Nanak Bani: Text and Commentary, published by the Punjab government on the occasion of the 550th Prakash Parv, is also one of Dr. Jaggi’s important works. He also wrote several books on the Bani of Guru Nanak, such as Guru Nanak: Biography and Personality and Guru Nanak’s Ideology, which received awards from the Punjab government.
-National and State Awards
Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi’s contribution received wide recognition. He was honoured with the Padma Shri award in 2023. Earlier, he received the National Award from Sahitya Akademi, Delhi in 1989 and the Punjabi Sahitya Shiromani Award from the Government of Punjab in 1996. His books received the first prize from the Punjab Languages Department eight times, and the Haryana government honoured him for his book in 1968.
In addition, he was awarded the Param Sahitya Satkar Samman by the Punjabi Academy in 2010 and Saudhar Samman by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in 1996. Punjabi University, Patiala conferred him a lifetime fellowship in 2012 and Punjabi Sahitya Academy, Ludhiana also conferred him a fellowship.
-Dr. Jaggi’s invaluable legacy
The demise of Dr. Ratan Singh Jaggi has left an irreplaceable void in the literary and academic world. His contributions opened countless avenues for the study of literature and history. His literary work will always remain an invaluable legacy for generations to come, and his ideas and research will always be appreciated.