"The contribution of Shiv Kumar Batalvi to the literary scenario of Punjab is unmatched and unparalleled and would remain etched in the golden words because they have left indelible impressions on the sands of time."These views were expressed by the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu yesterday late evening at the Punjab Kala Bhawan on the occasion of ' BIRHA DA SULTAN-A Musical tribute to Shiv Kumar Batalvi'. The minister said that the mesmerizing words penned by Shiv Batalvi echo everywhere and every soul can relate to them as they have deep connection with each emotion of human life.Divulging more, the minister said that the Punjab's history is replete with those who have contributed immensely to the beauty of its literature and now, the Punjab Kala Parishad would take a lead in keeping alive their memory by installing statues of 5 such eminent personalities. He also said that this novel beginning is proposed to be made from 6th May i.e. the death anniversary of Shiv Batalvi. The minister further said that Shiv Batalvi would always be with us in the form of his songs. On the occasion, prominent singer Rinku Kalia regaled the audience with her par excellence rendition of the songs penned by Shiv Batalvi with some of them being 'Ik kudi jihda naam muhabbat gum hai,' 'Mayein ni Mayein mein ik shikra yaar banaya', 'Bhatthi waaleye chamber diye daaliye, peeran da paraga bhunn de', 'Ajj din chareya tere rang warga', 'Mainu tera shabab lai baitha' and 'Mere dilan deya mehrama'.The better half of Shiv Batalvi- Mrs. Aruna Shiv Batalvi and Prof Kuldeep Kaur Tiwana, Wife of Late Prof Rajpal Singh were honoured on the occasion by Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu and the Chairman of the Punjab Kala Parishad Padamshri Dr. Surjit Patar. On the occasion Mr. Sidhu and Rinku Kalia were also felicitated. Prominent among those present included famous Punjabi writer Ninder Ghugianvi, Dr. Nirmal Jaura and Deepak Sharma Chanarthal.