Jhalli

Shagufta Gimmi has lived abroad for a long time, yet reading her Punjabi writings one feels as though she still lives in Punjab — or that Punjab lives within her. Her works are woven and vibrant in that way — and why should they not be? She is the gifted and renowned daughter of the committed Punjabi writer, linguist, thinker and storyteller Saleem Khan Gimmi, who devoted his entire life to the advancement of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabi identity.

Shagufta Gimmi is herself a research scholar, translator and novelist; besides this, a book of hers entitled Cancer and Its Types has also been published. My own view is that for the enrichment of the Punjabi language there is great need to write on such diverse, excellent and new subjects so that good books in Punjabi may increase — and in this spirit she has also written another fine book on Punjabi folk songs and customs, which would be beautiful and valuable work to acquaint people across the world with the songs, customs and rites from birth to death in Punjab and with Punjabi culture and civilization. She has also translated into Urdu her father’s important book Punjab and Punjabi, and has written on research in universities.

Nowadays she is working on two other important fronts: one is a research-filled book on Guru Nanak’s Muslim companion and rabab-player Bhai Mardana, and alongside this she is doing excellent work entitled The Evolution of Punjabi Cinema.

Jhalli is the story of an entire era that our generation has lived through. All its characters are alive and still relevant.

The girl, her parents, progressives and non-progressives, the honest and the hypocritical, lovers and deceivers — all these people are still around us. But that tree is no longer there before which Jhalli used to pour out her grief.

Shagufta Gimmi has written this novel from the heart, and it feels as though Jhalli is herself telling us her story. This novel will remain relevant for many generations to come.

At literary gatherings here in the UK I continue to meet Shagufta Gimmi Lodhi. I have had the opportunity to know her views on literature and other subjects. She is a true servant of her mother tongue Punjabi.

Shagufta respects elders greatly. I have read her writings, poetry as well as the novel. Her novel Jhalli is among the finest examples of progressive literature.

The part of this novel that shows the socialist current in West Punjab pleased me greatly. The character Aslam in the novel presents a true picture of the comrades of that time.

Shagufta Gimmi Lodhi is an important writer of our times. In a very short span she has made a strong mark in the field of literature.

I have read her novel Jhalli. This novel presents a true and painful portrait of a woman’s real life in Punjabi society.

The main character of the novel, Firdous, is a woman who, despite being educated and capable, faces disrespect.