Author: Harjeet Singh Gill
Publisher: Punjabi University
Year: 2007
Language: English
Pages: 252
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8130200899
Description
The Grand Narrative of Baba Nanak is based on the Janam Sakhis and the interpretations of his compositions in the Adi Granth. Amongst others, they include Japuji, Sri Rag, Bara Maha and Sidh Gost. His reflections and mediations on the affairs of this and the other world are presented in the dialectics of anthropology and cosmology.
REVIEWS:
'Oh, not!' I thought as I opoened Harjeet Singh Gill's Baba Nanak. 'Not another of these attempts to retell the story of Guru Nanak in what is meant to be English poetry.' These, it seems, almost invarialy consist or dreary prose dressed up as flowery poetry. But I was wrong. I was very wrong. Baba Nanak, for from being cast in the sytle which one normally associates with the poetry, of English translations of the Adi granth, in in fact an excellent piece of work. The works that it paraphrases are some of the finest of Guru Nanak's workls, set in the context of his life story and supported by passages from the Janam-sakhis, Japuji naturally appears, as do portions of Siri Ragu, and the whole of Barahaha, and Siddh Gost.
The style in which the life and travels of Baba Nanak is recoreded makes exceedingly pleasant reading and those who wish to have the story well told as simple but effective English poetry will find Gill's work a delight.
- W H Mcleod, Intyernational Journal of Punjab Studies, Oxford, 2003
I do not know how Harjeet Singh Gill, Emeritus Profesor of Semioties, Jawaharlal Nehru University, was spurred into song when he elected to write in verse from the story of Guru Nanak, and of his divine hymns in a capsuled, simple but effective style. Nothing, as far as I know, in Gill's past suggested such a return of the native to the faith of his ancestors, for in in his long academic career, he remained involved in the study of semiotics and signification under the tutelage of his French mento4s and theorists of linguistics.
Whatever the reason, this volvume underscores the nature of his inner transformation - from a logician and sceptic to a seeker after truth, with Baba Nanak as his light and guidng star. I could stretch the argument and see how the sceince of languages, which invests all human thoughtr and its highest rewaches, possibly led Giull to apply his earned insights to the Sikh scriptures.. Gill's rendering, thus is simple, direct and nearer to fine prose. And he sustains this discourse with imaginationand insight.
- Darshan Singh Maini, The Tribune, Ocotber 12, 2003