Dhani Ram Chatrik

Dhani Ram Chatrik (4 October 1876 – 18 December 1954) was an Indian poet and typographer.^[1][2]

Dhani Ram Chatrik
Portrait of Dhani Ram Chatrik
Born	(1876-10-04)4 October 1876 Sheikhupura, Punjab Province, British India
Died	18 December 1954(1954-12-18) (aged 78)
Language	Punjabi
Nationality	Indian
Education	Lopoke, Badonialli and Islamia school, Amritsar[1]

He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Punjabi poetry.^[2] He promoted Punjabi culture, language and publications through his life. In 1926, he became the President of Punjabi Sahit Sabha, a Punjabi Literary Society.^[1]

Early life

He was born in village Pasian-wala, district Sheikhupura (now in Pakistan).^[3] His father Pohu Lal,^[3] was an ordinary shopkeeper.^[1] His father moved to village Lopoke in search for work. His father taught him Gurmukhi and Urdu scripts.^[1] Dhaniram grew fond of calligraphy and went to Bombay to learn Gurmukhi typography.^[1][3] Though a Hindu by birth, he became an admirer of the Sikh faith after he came in contact with the major Punjabi poet of that era Bhai Vir Singh.^[1][3] After this meeting he felt inspired to write verses in the Punjabi Language.^[1]

Partial bibliography

• Chatrik authored Fullan Di Tokri (1904)
• Bharthri Hari Bikramajit (1905)
• Nal Dmaayanti (1906)
• Dharmvir (1912)
• Chandanwari (1931)
• Kesar Kiari (1940)
• Nawan Jahan (1942)
• Noor Jahan Badshahbeghum (1944)
• Sufikhana (1950)