Kavi Darbar in The Memory of S Mohan Kapoor and Sdn Pritam Kapoor

Jag took an initiative to propose and conduct a 'Kavi Darbar' to honor his departed parents in an old fashioned way as was being done in earlier decades.  Both parents were born with in one day of each other. While Papa Ji(S Mohan Narain Singh Kapoor) was born on April 14 and Mommy Ji(Sdn Pritam Kapoor) a day earlier but three years later. Papa Ji had a great leaning over art and literature among his many multi-dimensional qualities. It was, therefore, desirable to arrange a 'Kavi Darbar' in the memory of  souls in heaven to make a fitting tribute to them from their kids. So it was decided to hold such an event in main Diwan Hall of San Jose Gurdwara Sahib around Vaisakhi. Having lost the art of reciting poetry in the recent times due to media entertainment though, it would be a matter of great honor to revive this art of Poetry through such an effort.

San Jose Gurdwara is a major attraction for social events connected with the Sikh religion. Many such events like Gurmat Vichar, Symposiums, Melas, Kirtan Darbars, and Workshops are encouraged and sponsored from time to time by the San Jose Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. This 'Kavi Darbar' was held in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib at this Gurdwara, hence the performance and the conducting was absolutely disciplined, orderly and well attended.

Initially it looked a herculean task to gather literary persons of repute sitting so far away from homeland. I had to talk to many people to reach the conclusion on selection of the poets. At this point Dr Pashaura singh Dhillon and Sardar Dil Nijjar were forthcoming to put in their valuable suggestions. Prof Pashaura Singh expressed his inability to attend the program because of his pre-occupations but his blessings and valuable suggestions helped to make vital decisions in selecting the various poets. Another prominent poet from the area Azad Jullandhry was missed due to his indifferent health. Ms Neelam Saini, although, helped in the selection of the Poets but she could not attend the program being out of the country. Sdn Jesse Rajpal of IGS fame could not make it and all of us missed her usual scintillating performance. We tried to get poets from as for as Vancouver  BC and India  but time constraints came in the way. 

The performance of various poets reaching from far distances like Frisno, Tracy and Sacramento was a testament to the success of the Kavi Darbar. Dr Gurinder Pal Singh, an Honorable member of San Jose Gurdwara Committee kicked off the program well with introduction of Kapoor family and their involvement in the Sikh community. He highlighted the details of 'Sewa' done by Late S Mohan Narain Singh Kapoor and Late Sdn Pritam Kaur Kapoor for various Gurdwaras in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr Singh in the end invited Sardar Dil Nijjar, Secretary of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha California to anchor the program. Sardar Nijjar did a commendable job in conducting the 'Kavi Darbar'. He was able to complete the participation of the poets well on time. 

The performance of all the poets was well appreciated and applauded with 'Jaikaras' from the audience. Reciting of the poems in melodious voices by S Charanjit Singh Pannu, S Inderjit Singh Grewal, S Gurmit Singh Barsal, Bibi Simran Kaur, S Isher Singh Momen and Sardar Gurdial Singh Noorpuri were the highlights of the evening and were very well taken with continuous 'jaikaras'.  The rendering of poem in melodious sweet voice by Dr Pashaura Singh Dhillon besides its excellent content was a performance par excellence. A spontaneous effort from one of the kids from the audience to recite a poem was an icing on the cake. A total number of 16 poets participated on the occasion. 

Shivpreet Singh also participated by rendering a poem from Bhai Nand Lal Ji Goya works and translated the same into Urdu. Shiv went on to explain in English the meaning of the poem originally written in Farsi, while matching the similar lines from Guru Granth Sahib. The younger audience appreciated his unique efforts and understood the meanings more clearly. Shivpreet further mentioned how the family was connected to poet Laurette Bhai Nand Lal Goya of Sri Guru Gobingd Singh Ji Maharaj. Shiv and his family, had cut short their Spring break trip to San Diego and raced back home late night, to be available at the memorial program of their older Nana Ji/Nani ji.

As our dear Papa Ji was very much into social activities in the community, it was well appropriate to conduct a 'Kavi Darbar' in his and Mom's memory. Mommy's support to Dad was phenomenal and absolute so was Dad's reciprocality. They were made for each other. After the death of Dad, Mom had no will and intent to live on and in the process left her worldly body quickly to join him in heaven. It was a great way to celebrate their lives by their own kids and many other family and friends in the community who were by and large part of the Kapoor family.

Jag Kapoor in the end rewarded all the poets with cash prizes.

Literature had won the day, today. The 'Kavi Darbar' program was conceptualized, designed, planned and executed really well. Every body deserves heartiest thanks.