Dhahan Prize 2025: Surrey Celebrates Global Voices in Punjabi Literature
Surrey, BC – The Northview Golf and Country Club hosted an evening of literary pride on November 13, bringing together cultural icons, authors, and global storytellers for the 2025 Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature—one of the most distinguished awards in Punjabi fiction. Recognized and supported by the Mayor of Surrey, the event highlighted the influence of Punjabi storytelling in Canada, where Punjabi stands as the third most spoken language.
A Global Platform for Punjabi Fiction
The Dhahan Prize continues to serve as a premier international stage for Punjabi writers working across Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi scripts. This year, the award distributed a total of $51,000 CAD, including $25,000 CAD for the winner and $10,000 CAD each for the runners-up. These awards reaffirm the Prize’s mission: amplifying Punjabi voices and strengthening multicultural bonds across communities.
Celebrating Outstanding Authors
The top honour of 2025 went to Balbir Parwana from Jalandhar, India, for his novel Rauleyan Vele (In the Time of Unrest). The story follows a filmmaker uncovering Partition-era memories through interviews with elders. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Parwana reflected on the recognition: the award, he said, inspires him to continue writing for Punjabi readers across the world.
Runners-up included Mudassar Bashir of Lahore for Precarious Shelter and Bhagwant Rasulpuri of Jalandhar for Delivery Man, a short-story collection. Both authors received $10,000 CAD and handcrafted certificates honouring their contribution to Punjabi literature.
Youth Talent Takes the Stage
The Dhahan Youth Award added a vibrant local dimension, spotlighting young authors and translators from Surrey’s school district. Five Surrey high school students earned recognition for their storytelling and translation work, featured in the Lofty Heights anthology. The initiative bridges cultures—highlighting Indigenous voices, youth creativity, and community collaboration.
Surrey City Councillor Pardeep Kooner attended on behalf of Council, commending the dedication of writers and the ongoing support of the Dhahan family in nurturing Punjabi arts and culture.
Stories That Build Bridges
Founder Barjinder Singh Dhahan emphasized the deeper purpose behind the Prize: celebrating literary excellence while creating pathways for cultural dialogue and new creative voices. Esteemed guests, including author Gurjinder Basran and Senator Baltej Singh Dhillon, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the Prize’s role in advancing cultural diplomacy.
Surrey’s Literary Momentum
In celebration of the Dhahan Prize, the City of Surrey announced a week devoted to Punjabi literature, cementing its position as a cultural hub for literary expression in Canada. Since its establishment in 2013, the Prize continues to uplift writers, inspire communities, and promote harmony through the power of storytelling.
From local youth to internationally renowned authors, the 2025 Dhahan Prize illuminated Surrey’s commitment to nurturing empathy, imagination, and cultural unity—one story at a time.
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