Shiv Kumar Batalvi who was born on 23 July 1936 has given his best contribution to the nation. He was popularly known for his romantic poetry, noted for its heightened passion, pathos, separation, and lover's agony. Speaking of late artists’ work, his first anthology of poems was published in 1960, titled ‘Peedan da Paraga’ (The Scarf of Sorrows), which became an instant success. Some senior writers like Jaswant Singh Rahi, Kartar Singh Balgan, and Barkat Ram Yumman, took him under their wings. And during that time, he produced some of his best work. Very few are aware that Batalvi was the youngest recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1967, given by Sahitya Akademi (India's National Academy of Letters). The award he bagged was for his epic verse play based on the ancient legend of Puran Bhagat, Loona (1965). Batalvi received the award in 1967 when he was just 31 years old The verse is now considered a masterpiece in modern Punjabi literature, and it also created a new genre of modern Punjabi Qissa. On the occasion of his 49th death anniversary, we can tribute to him and says that today also his poetry stands on equal ground, amongst those stalwarts of modern Punjabi poetry, like Mohan Singh (poet) and Amrita Pritam, all of whom are popular on both sides of Indo-Pakistan border.
Also, what made him even more attractive than just his writing is that he recited and crooned those ballads on his own which ultimately brought justice to his writing. His poems were also sung by notable singers like Deedar Singh Pardesi. Jagjit Singh, Chitra Singh, and Surinder Kaur . A very few times, Shiv has made his way to everyone’s heart, and people today also follow him and are inspired by his verses. One of his anthologies, Alvida (Farewell) was published posthumously in 1974, by the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. And there, 'Shiv Kumar Batalvi Award' for Best Writer, is given each year.
The nation lost a gem on 6 May 1973 but left a mark with his work. Also, Shiv Kumar Batalvi Auditorium is made to commemorate the 75th Birth anniversary of the renowned poet of Punjab in Batala. The auditorium is situated on Jalandhar Road, Batala and a world-class auditorium has also been made to inspire generations to come in Punjab.