Rajwant Raj : Ghazal Writing and the Ghazal Munch

This interview is a part of the “Punjabi in BC” oral history project (2019-2023). “Punjabi in BC” is comprised of interviews with over 50 K-12 teachers, language advocates, journalists, and writers who have contributed to the life of the Punjabi language in British Columbia, Canada. The subject of this interview, Rajwant Raj, was born in 1971, in the state of Punjab, India. In 2008, Rajwant's interest in poetry was sparked when he attended a poetry event at the invitation of a friend. This event marked the beginning of his journey into the world of ghazal poetry. He has authored many novels and short stories. His notable works include "Rangshala" (2013), "Raagaania" (2015), "Peondh" (2019), "Tutte Sitare Chugdhian" (2021), and "Varole Dhe Joon" (2023). This interview is divided into two segments and includes one promotional video. In the interview, Rajwant Raj talks about the process of writing ghazals, his inspirations, Punjabi publications in BC, challenges faced by publishers and authors, and the founding of the Ghazal Manch.