Mr. and Mrs. Gill Moranwali

UBC Asian Library is pleased to bring you the new display featuring the works of award-winning Punjabi writer, Gill Moranwali.

Born in the village of Miranwali in Hoshiarpur District of Punjab, India, Gill Moranwali immigrated to Canada in 1970. In 1991 he obtained the “Punjabi Sahit Sabha Canada” award in recognition for his publications and two years later he received the “Rim Jhim Radio” award for his contributions in Vancouver.

Gill Moranwali is well-known in India, Pakistan, and Canada. Written more than fifty books in different Indian languages including Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi, Gill is one of few Canadian individuals who is interested in and pays effort to preserve Punjabi writings. He wrote about his Indo-Canadian experiences and the cultural aspects associated to his lifestyle. His style is focused and influenced by his Punjabi heritage. His poetry is based on love and for the people.

“Babal Jaee Kee Kare” and “Amee Jaee Kee Kare” are his two most famous books. Both are examples of his couplet style poetry and are about the painful experiences women usually face in the Indian society. He writes of the values of Indian society and the gender inequality that exists.

Gill Moranwali also writes Punjabi ghazals. As Dr. Gurumel says, “in Punjabi ghazal writing, the name of Gill Moranwali is very popular. He is of simple nature with a calm mind yet his thoughts are full of depth.”

This new display is located on the upper floor of the Asian Library. For more information, please contact Sarbjit Randhawa, Indic Librarian at sarbjit.randhawa@ubc.ca.

Check out more about Gill Moranwali at http://youtu.be/g2TQGP5huOU (Community service-learning project by students in Dr. Anne Murphy’s Punjabi 300 class 2011-12).