Literary Eminence: Ghazal Manch Surrey Hosts Grand Book Launch and Cultural Symposium

Surrey, March 21, 2026 – In a vibrant celebration of poetic expression, Ghazal Manch Surrey recently organized a prestigious literary symposium at the Guildford Library. The event served as the grand stage for the unveiling of two significant poetic contributions: ‘Guzarish’ by the renowned poet Baldev Seehra, and ‘Tanhaiyon Ke Ghere’ by Calgary-based poet Jasbir Chahal.

The proceedings were presided over by a distinguished panel including Jaswinder (President of Ghazal Manch), Baldev Seehra, Jasbir Chahal, Davinder Gautam, and a special guest from Pakistan, the eminent scholar Dr. Khola Cheema.

A Symphony of Verses and Scholarly Critique

The afternoon commenced with a soul-stirring vocal performance by Abhishek, whose melodic renditions of selected ghazals from both authors set a profoundly aesthetic tone for the gathering.

Following the musical prelude, acclaimed poet Inderjit Dhami presented a rigorous research paper on Baldev Seehra’s ‘Guzarish’. Dhami observed that Seehra’s poetry transcends the boundaries of physical romance, evolving into a sublime spiritual experience. He remarked that in today’s mechanical and fast-paced era, Seehra’s verses offer a refreshing vitality, akin to the earthy fragrance of soil after a cleansing rain.

In a second scholarly discourse, Dashmesh Gill Firoz shared insightful reflections on Jasbir Chahal ‘Tanha’s’ ‘Tanhaiyon Ke Ghere’. Firoz emphasized that poets of Chahal’s caliber delve into the deepest oceans of thought to retrieve rare pearls of wisdom. He noted that Chahal possesses a unique ability to synchronize the reader’s heartbeat with the profound resonance of his own emotions.

Voices of the Authors and Literary Fraternal Support

Stepping into the spotlight, both Baldev Seehra and Jasbir Chahal shared intimate details of their creative processes and recited a selection of their finest ghazals. The literary community turned out in great numbers to honor the authors, with luminaries such as Rajwant Raj, Sukhjit Kaur Hundal, Hardam Mann, Gurmeet Sidhu, Ruby Aulakh, Narinder Bahiyia, Manjeet Kaur Kang, Jarnail Singh Sekha, Karanjit, Narinder Bhagi, Mahinderpal Singh Pal, Shivcharan Singh, and Baldev Sukhi Rode offering their heartfelt congratulations and praising the authors’ enduring contributions to the literary canon.

Bridging Borders Through Heritage

The symposium took a historical and cultural turn with an address by Dr. Khola Cheema. Invoking the glorious legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, she spoke eloquently about his secular governance and the deep-rooted shared heritage of Punjabi culture. Dr. Cheema poignantly noted that while geopolitical borders may physically separate the people of East and West Punjab, the digital age and the multicultural fabric of countries like Canada have effectively reunited these kindred spirits. In recognition of their excellence, Ghazal Manch honored Baldev Seehra, Jasbir Chahal, and Dr. Cheema with ceremonial shawls and commemorative plaques.

Presidential Concluding Reflections

Closing the event, Jaswinder, President of Ghazal Manch, offered a profound synthesis of the day's themes. He lauded both collections as invaluable additions to the treasuries of Punjabi and Urdu literature, providing readers with both intellectual stimulation and mental tranquility.

Jaswinder passionately underscored that poetry is far more than a mere arrangement of words; it is a bridge of profound affection that links human hearts across any divide. He concluded with a powerful sentiment: "While politics and borders may engineer distances between us, poetry remains eternal—forever illuminating the path toward humanity and universal brotherhood."