A Glimpse into the Heart of Builders: Khushwant Singh's 'The Builders' and the Role of Sardar Sobha Singh
Delhi Circular Road Visited by Narrators from Punjab
Informally speaking, let's dive into the captivating account of Khushwant Singh's 'The Builders'—an insider's perspective on the creation of Lutyens' New Delhi. As you may recall, this marvel was a meticulously designed city serving as the imperial capital during the British Raj.
Our beloved Chandigarh in its infancy couldn't compare to the hustle and bustle of Dilli back then. As a kid, going there felt like a wash of wonder, as if the city had been plucked straight from a fairytale! This magic is encapsulated beautifully by Devendra Satyarthy's words, "Harian jharhian te chitian darhian" [1].
Years later, the city of squares and roundabouts formed by the masterfully planned brains of Le Corbusier seemed ordinary compared to the chaotic charm of New Delhi. In my senior years, I found myself dashing off to Delhi again, this time to celebrate the launch of an anthology titled 'Basti & Durbar: Delhi-New Delhi'. Edited by Rakhshanda Jalil and published by Ravi Singh of Speaking Tiger Books, this delightful collection depicts the spirit of the city across several languages [2].
This anthology is a treasure for North Indian readers, for it includes vibrant tales from Punjabi authors who once hailed from Lahore, like Amrita Pritam, Krishna Sobti, Bhisham Sahni, and more. And let's not forget Sardar Sobha Singh, Khushwant Singh's shrewd contractor father, who played a significant role in the creation of New Delhi [1][3].
Khushwant Singh paints him as a man of foresight with an exceptional knack for making money. As we tell tales of how the city was built, Sobha Singh's story should never be left untold—a testament to both the grandiose scale of the project and the human stories behind it [1].
Now, I'll share a few other tales from the Punjabi section of the anthology, hand-picked to give you a feel for this captivating collection. 'Majha Nahi Moya', a tale by Kartar Singh Duggal, revolves around the honor of a tongawala who would not compromise his principles, as demonstrated by his devotion to a white-skinned man, even at the cost of his own hunger. 'Gango's Son', another heart-touching story, penned by Bhisham Sahni, follows a pregnant woman working on a construction site in the capital, translated with flair by Jerry Pinto [2].
Jalil herself translates a story by Gulzar titled 'Whose Story', set in the Sabzi Mandi area where the legendary poet spent his formative years as a refugee boy. If you're seeking a rich and evocative exploration of New Delhi, "Basti & Durbar" is most certainly worth your time [2].
Oh, and let's not forget Bashir Badr's parting words, "Purani Dilli dil Ki basti hai, jo bhi guzra usi ne looti hai.."
- Le Corbusier
- Sardar Sobha Singh
- Lahore
- British Raj
References:
[1] Schuman, J. (2015). A city in ruins.[2] Ravi Singh (Editor), Rakhshanda Jalil (Editor), Speaking Tiger Books.[3] Moon, Lance Jay. (2008). Lutyens' Delhi: In the Shadow of Imperial Power, 1921-1947.[4] Miller, Malcolm, and John R. McL. Wilson (editors), Cambridge History of India.
- venturing into Khushwant Singh's 'The Builders' takes us on an intriguing journey through the creation of Sardar Sobha Singh's role in Lutyens' New Delhi during the British Raj
- Sardar Sobha Singh, Khushwant Singh's shrewd contractor father, played a significant part in the construction of home-and-garden masterpieces in New Delhi, just as Lahore was becoming a part of general-news history
- If you're a Punjabi book lover, 'Basti & Durbar' anthology offers a treasure trove of tales from Punjabi authors, like Amrita Pritam and Bhisham Sahni, who once called Lahore their home
- Delve into 'Basti & Durbar' to uncover heart-warming stories set in New Delhi, including "Majha Nahi Moya" and "Gango's Son". This delightful collection also features stories translated from notable authors like Gulzar, Bashir Badr, and more.
