Proc. 8th Conference of Indian Science Fiction Writer’s Association (ISFWA), 11-12 Nov. 2006, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India 1 ON THE SCIENCE FICTION WRITINGS IN PUNJABI Dr. D. P. SINGH Govt. Shivalik College, Naya Nangal -140126, Dist. Ropar, Punjab ABSTRACT Science fiction writing in Punjabi is a recent phenomenon, which has started sometime in the second half of the 20th century. Some of the translation works and a few original writings have been published in this language in the last three decades. In the recent past, several science fiction stories by various Punjabi writers (e.g. Amandeep Singh, Dr. Amarjit Singh, Dr. Suresh Rattan, Colonel Jasbir Bhullar, Dr. Vidwan Singh Soni, Sukhwant Kaur Maan, Hardev Chauhan, Ajmer Sidhu and Dr D P Singh) have been published in various Newspapers (e.g. Ajit, Punjabi Tribune, Nawan Zamana, Des Sewak etc.) and Magazines (e.g. Jagriti, Pakharian, Jan Sahit, Samdarshi, Vigiyan Jot, Nirantar Soach, Samkali Sahit, Primary Sikhia etc.) of Punjabi. In this article an attempt is made to enlist the efforts put forward and contributions made by various persons / organizations in Punjab to popularize science and technology in Punjabi through science fiction writings. A detailed account of the science fiction writings in Punjabi is described. The role of government agencies and NGOs in this field has also been discussed. A bird eye view of the present state of Science Fiction literature available, its different forms and role of print / mass media is also presented. It is concluded that science fiction writings in Punjabi is still in its infancy and there is a dire need to do more in this field. INTRODUCTION Punjabi, written in Gurumukhi script, is the ‘State language’ of Punjab. It emerged as an independent language in the 11th century. Punjabi poetry dates back to the beginning of the 13th century when Baba Farid composed his Slokas and hymns. The golden period of Punjabi literature extends from the birth of Guru Nanak (1469) to the passing away of Guru Gobind Singh (1708). Most of the religious and mystic poetry of the period is preserved in the ‘Adi Granth’, a great anthology of Bhakti poems, considered a sacred scripture by the Sikhs. The best in Sanskrit literature was also imbibed in Punjabi through translation works done during 1600 to 1800 A.D. covering the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Bhagavat Gita and Upanishads. During the period of Mughal Raj, Sikh Raj or British Empire the official language of the Punjab province was either Urdu or English. Thus Punjabi did not get the official patronage. Even after independence of India it could not get the official recognition until much later. With creation of Punjabi Suba in 1966, Punjabi was accorded the status of the state language. During the last 50 years it has showed a vigorous development in all branches of literature. Much of our modern way of life is based on science. We are civilized people in part because we have scientific knowledge of the world we live in. Science is knowledge, and as Francis Bacon had said, knowledge is power. So for the empowerment of common man the knowledge of the working of scientific products in common use, is a must. The knowledge is more usefully provided to the people if it is communicated in the language of the masses. Thus the need for science communication and science popularization is a dire need of our times. Punjabi language has awakened to this need only recently.