School of Punjabi Studies, PU Honours Eminent Folklorist Professor Nahar Singh

Chandigarh, August 18, 2025: The Alumni Association of the School of Punjabi Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, today conferred the prestigious Alumni Award for 2024 upon celebrated folklorist, former professor, and former Dean of Languages, Professor Nahar Singh, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Punjabi folklore and culture.
In an inspiring interaction with students, Professor Nahar Singh shared vivid anecdotes from his fieldwork in collecting Punjabi folk songs, and offered rich insights into the illustrious history of the Punjabi Department. He recalled his close associations with legendary scholars such as Mohan Singh Diwana, Surinder Singh Kohli, Harbhajan Singh, Atar Singh, Avtar Singh Paash, and Kesar Singh Kesar, reflecting on their intellectual depth and influence. Encouraging students to remain intellectually alert, he emphasised the importance of dedicating oneself fully to academic pursuits.
Earlier, the event commenced with a warm welcome by the Head of the Department, Professor Yog Raj Angrish, who paid tribute to Professor Singh’s lifelong dedication to folklore studies. Describing him as a visionary cultural scholar, Professor Angrish lauded his efforts in making the intricate domain of folklore accessible, engaging, and relevant to the Punjabi literary world.
Dr. Paramjit Kaur Sidhu, faculty member at the department, read the official citation in honour of Professor Singh. She also fondly recalled her student days and the profound impact Professor Singh had on shaping her understanding of folklore and cultural studies.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sarbjit Singh, who acknowledged Professor Singh’s seminal academic work in elevating Punjabi folklore to new scholarly heights.
To mark the occasion, research scholars Gurman Singh and Amandeep Kaur presented soulful cultural songs. The event was skillfully compered by senior faculty member Professor Uma Sethi. The enthusiastic participation of research scholars and students made the celebration truly memorable and inspiring.