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| - An ode to Punjabi culture Varinder Walia Tribune News Service June 9, 2005 Bhai Vir Singh’s house on Lawrence Road is a living monument of the great writer. But how many of us know about it, or have visited it to feel the legendary grace of the man? The tastefully decorated residence of Bhai Vir Singh, generally hailed as the father of the modern Punjabi literature, is perhaps the most beautiful house (of the state) dating back to the British time. The house provides a nice green space in the concrete commercial jungle of the posh Lawrence Road. While the houses of many Punjabi writers and poets, including Bawa Balwant belonging to Amritsar, have either disappeared or are in dilapidated condition, the residence of Bhai Vir Singh remains intact and all belongings of the celebrity Punjabi writer have been preserved in the original shape. The picturesque residence, surrounded by lush green spacious gardens and orchard, which should have been pilgrimage centre for the Punjabi writers, is visited by few, as most of the residents of the city are not even aware about the rich heritage of Punjabi literature housed there. Polish: Image:Bhai Vir Singh's house inside.jpg Interestingly, the Lawrence Road where his house is situated was named after Bhai Vir Singh about a decade ago. The palatial house, spread over five acres, has preserved almost all belongings of the great Punjabi writer even 48 years after his death. The old and unique hand pump installed by Bhai Vir Singh himself is another landmark of the house. Bhai Vir Singh himself installed the old idol of Lord Buddha in a beautiful corner of the house. Bhai Vir Singh was very versatile. He was poet, novelist and critic. He found spiritual lessons in the objects of Nature. A kikar tree is a symbol of the spiritual seeker, who must face the barbs and arrows of the worldly people. The poet’s choice of plants in his house tells us a great deal about him as a person. The sprawling house, with rare plants and herbs, shows the rich taste and high thinking of Bhai Vir Singh and his love for Nature. A casual visitor gets astounded to find big trees, including chikoo, cheel, neem, walnut, mango, litchi, kachnar, jack fruit, rosary, frangipani, kaadi patta, simbal, berry jujube, plum, banana and dheon in the house. Four bouquets taken from the garden of Bhai Vir Singh’s house are taken to the Golden Temple every morning by 85-year-old Bibi Amrit Kaur who lives in the house. Though the ancestral house of Bhai Vir Singh in Katra Gaarbha Singh in the walled city has disappeared, this new house bought from a Christian priest of a missionary school in 1925 stands as a monument of the British era. He moved into this house in 1930. Sardar Ujwal Singh and Teja Singh were instrumental in converting the house into a memorial after his death in 1957. His younger brother, Dr Balbir Singh, whom he treated like his own son, set up a trust where the entire collection of the royalty of his works has been kept aside to continue his dream to nurture Punjabi literature. Unlike the residence of Bhai Vir Singh, the half-timbered house where William Shakespeare was born in 1564, continues to be the most cherished historic place and is a frequently visited tourist place. Descendants of the dramatist lived there until the nineteenth century, and it has been a place of pilgrimage for over 250 years. The stunning house of Bhai Vir Singh could also be opened to public on this pattern. The rare furnishings and personal collections of Bhai Vir Singh feature exceptional furnishings and domestic items. It would not be wrong to say that aspects of his multifarious personality are on display here. The old furniture with unique carving, including a cot and a writing table, has been well preserved in the house. The exhibition in the gallery of the house deals with artifacts. This impressive house gets the visitor close to the room where the homeopathy medicines used by Bhai Vir Singh are preserved. Not to be missed are old tub and kitchen gadgets, including a wooden juicer. The hilly hut type room (seems replica of Hemkunt Sahib) constructed especially for the holy Guru Granth Sahib shows his unflinching faith in the Almighty. The secluded study room has preserved the rare manuscripts. The illuminated life-size pictures of Bhai Vir Singh in different rooms are, however, new additions which add to the beauty of the house. The renowned journalist and former member of Rajya Sabha, Mr Kuldip Nayyar, had given funds for the library in the complex which is likely to be completed shortly. Bhai Vir Singh took active interest in the affairs of the Singh Sabha Movement. He was a poet, scholar and major figure in the Sikh renaissance and in the movement for the revival and renewal of Punjabi literary tradition.
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