Ghazal Manch Surrey recently organized a memorable literary event at the Guildford Library in Surrey to celebrate the release of ‘Dhoop Chhaan Da Anupaat’ (The Proportion of Sun and Shade), the newly published ghazal collection by contemporary poet Preet Manpreet. The event drew a distinguished gathering of the city’s prominent literary figures, poets, writers, and avid literature enthusiasts.

The presidium for the evening was jointly shared by Jaswinder, President of Ghazal Manch Surrey; Sushil Dosanjh, renowned litterateur and journalist visiting from Punjab; acclaimed poet Niranjan Sukham; Prabhjot Sohi; and the author himself, Preet Manpreet.

The proceedings commenced with a warm welcome address by Davinder Gautam, Secretary of Ghazal Manch. Following the welcome, Dr. Randeeps Malhotra beautifully rendered Preet Manpreet’s ghazals into soulful melodies, instantly infusing the venue with a sublime poetic ambiance.

Presenting his critique on the book, Rajwant Raj cited verses from the collection to illuminate the distinctiveness, depth, and multi-faceted emotional resonance of Manpreet’s poetry. He observed that ‘Dhoop Chhaan Da Anupaat’ is, in essence, a poetic exploration of the delicate equilibrium between life's contrasting realities—joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, hope and despair. "Manpreet’s poetry seamlessly traverses from the mists of melancholy to the radiance of joy," he stated, noting its expansive perspective that shifts from the celestial to the terrestrial, alongside a profound portrayal of societal pain. It possesses a rare caliber to articulate profound philosophies in simple, accessible language.

In his analytical paper, Inderjeet Dhami captured both the essence of the text and the persona of Preet Manpreet in deeply poetic and evocative prose, emphasizing the poet’s sensitive outlook and his profound alignment with humanistic concerns. Delving into human sensibilities, Kamaljit Kaur highlighted in her paper that Manpreet's verses masterfully capture the internal conflicts of the modern individual and the intricacies of fractured contemporary relationships.

Special guest from Punjab, Sushil Dosanjh, addressed the gathering, describing Preet Manpreet as an exceptionally conscientious and politically aware poet. He remarked that while Manpreet’s poetry steers clear of overt political slogans, it subtly diagnoses the ailments of our times through a meticulous critique of social and political structures. He added that the hallmark of Manpreet’s success lies in his ability to imbue his poetry with layers of metaphorical possibilities.

The hallmark ritual of the event—the formal unveiling of ‘Dhoop Chhaan Da Anupaat’—was collectively performed by the presidium, members of Ghazal Manch, and the present literati.

Extending their congratulations and perspectives on the book and the author's creative journey, several prominent figures spoke at length, including Davinder Gautam, Prabhjot Sohi, Sukhjit Hundal, Hardam Mann, Balbir Kaur Dhillon, Jarnail Singh Sekha, Mohan Gill, Angrej Brar, Baltej Brar, Narinder Baia, Pal Dhillon, Krishan Bector, Bhupinder Malhi, Niranjan Sukham, and Anshukar Mahesh. The speakers unanimously hailed the collection as a significant milestone in contemporary Punjabi Ghazal literature.

The entire event was seamlessly and eloquently moderated by Davinder Gautam.