BIO-DATA


                                                                                 S. S. HITKARI

S.S. Hitkari (Born 1919); M.A. (History) M.A. (Political Science) LL.B (Gold Medalist) Retired in 1977 as Commissioner of Income Tax (Indian Revenue Service). Since 1977 he has devoted himself to the service of the society through the medium of Art and Literature. He is Vice President of All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society (Regd.) Delhi, 75 years old Art Institution of North India. He has held there 15 exhibitions of Folk and Fine Arts, the sole purpose of which was to create awareness in the general public about India's rich cultural and literary heritage. These exhibition have been visited by thousands of persons including Smt. Indira Gandhi, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Governors of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana etc. He has also exhibited Phulkaris in Bulgaria, Switzerland and U.K. He is member of the Managing Committee of Delhi Crafts Council (Regd.) and also of Punjab Sahit Sabha (Regd.) Delhi through which he is promoting the most significant folk art of Phulkari's of Punjab and serving the cause of Punjabi language respectively.

In respect of Phulkaris, he has preserved the Phulkaris and his collection is considered by knowledgeable persons to be the best in the whole world (comments of prominent persons enclosed). He has propagated this art and not only that he has revived this lost art. Today more than 1000 poor and old ladies are embroidering Phulkaris in Patiala, Roper and Chandigarh. He has done research work and written three books on Phulkaris - one in PunjabJand Two in English. All these books are the first one's on the subject.

Regarding Punjabi language, he has collected original self-hand written poems etc. in the form of manuscripts of more than 300 poets and writers of Punjabi language including Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha, Dhani Ram Chatrik, Bhai Vir Singh, Nanak Singh, Prof. Puran Singh, Amrita Pritam, Kartar Singh Duggal, Sant Singh Sekhon, Dalip Kaur, Tiwana etc. He has established in his residence Worlds First & only Literary Museum, where he has displayed these manuscripts. No other person has done this job which is unique in itself and will keep the memory of great Punjabi poets and writers alive for generations to come.

For his service in the cause of Punjabi language, and Folk Art of Phulkaris he has been honoured by the following institutions:-

  1. The Limca Book of Records declared him Man of the Year in 1993.
  2. Delhi State Govt. Punjabi Academy gave him award for his unique contribution to Punjabi Language
  3. Dhaliwal Institution of Art and Literature award was conferred on him for service in the cause of Punjabi language and culture of Punjab
  4. All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society (Regd.) Delhi honoured him with the title of "Kala Ratna" for his popularising Folk Arts.

Address        8, Birbal Road, Jangpura Extension, New Delhi-110014

Phone          24314345, 24312773