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Nanak Singh (born Hans Raj, July 4, 1897 — 1971) is a poet, songwriter and novelist in the Punjabi language. His writing in support of India's independence movement forced the British to arrest him. While in prison, he published several novels which won him literary acclaim.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Role in Freedom Struggle 3 Prolific Writer 4 Bibliography 5 Trivia

He was born as Hans Raj to a poor Punjabi Hindu family in the Jhelum district (now in Pakistan) and changed his name to Nanak Singh after adopting Sikhism. Due to poverty, he did not receive a formal education. He started his writing career at an early age, writing verses on historical events. Later, Nanak Singh started to write devotional songs, encouraging Sikhs to join the Gurdwara Reform Movement. In 1918, he published his first book containing hymns in praise of the Sikh Gurus, which is considered his first commercial success.

On April 13, 1919, British troops shot and killed 379 peaceful rally participants in what became known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on Baisakhi (Punjabi New Year) day in Amritsar.

Main article: Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Nanak Singh was present at the rally in which two of his friends were killed. This incident impelled Nanak Singh to write Khooni Visakhi - Bloody Baisakhi (Punjabi New Year), an epic poem that mocked and targeted colonial rule. The British Government became extremely concerned about his provocative writing and banned the book.

Nanak Singh also participated in India’s independence struggle by joining the Akali movement. He began editing Akali papers. This also was noticed by the British Government. Singh was charged with participation in unlawful political activities and was sent to Borstal Jail, Lahore. He described the savagery and oppression of the British on peaceful Sikhs during the Guru Ka Bagh Morcha demonstration in his second book of poetry, ‘Zakhmi Dil’. It was published in January 1923 and was banned within two weeks.

Nanak Singh wrote novels while in jail. He wrote over 40,000 pages in long hand Gurmukhi (Punjabi) script. He was recognized with many awards, including Punjab's highest literary award in 1960. His great historical novel, Ik Mian Do Talwaran (One Sheath and Two Swords, 1959) won him India’s highest literary honour, the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1962.

He wrote the novel Pavitar Paapi (Saintly Sinner) in 1942. The novel became immensely popular and won him literary acclaim. It was translated into Hindi and several other Indian languages and was adapted into a film in 1968. Currently, the novel is in its 28th reprint in Punjabi. His grandson, Navdeep Singh Suri, translated the book into English.

Quoting the Tribune, “Nanak Singh was the best selling novelist in India for thirty to forty years. He wrote over 50 books including novels and collection of short stories. He made significant contributions to various literary genres. For him character was the determination of incident and incident the illustration of character. His greatest contribution to Punjabi fiction is its secularisation. He depicted excerpts from contemporary life, cloaked with a veil of romantic idealism.”^{[citation needed]}

In his novel Chitta Lahu (White Blood), Nanak Singh writes, "It seems to imply that in the lifeblood of our society, red corpuscles have disappeared." Natasha Tolstoy, granddaughter of novelist Leo Tolstoy, translated Nanak Singh's novel Chitta Lahu into Russian. She visited Nanak Singh in Amritsar to present the first copy of the translated novel to him.

1. Gagan Damama Bajia
2. Sarapia Roohan
3. Koi Hariya Boota Rahio Ree
4. Ek Myaan Wich Do Talwaran
5. Chalawa
6. Pujari
7. Banjar
8. Sangam
9. Aastak Naastak
10. Nasoor
11. Adamkhor
12. Majhdhar
13. Dhindale Parchawe
14. Garid Di Duniya
15. Pyaar Di Duniya
16. Meri Duniya
17. Chitrakaar
18. Suman Kanta
19. Kati Hoyi Patang
20. Aug Di Khed
21. Tuti Veena
22. Gangajali Di Sharaab
23. Khoon De Sohile
24. Pavitar Papi
25. Chitta Lahoo
26. Pholadi Phul
27. Love Marriage
28. Jeevan Sangram
29. Door Kinara
30. Adh Khirya Phul
31. Pathar Kamba
32. Kagachan Di Berhi
33. Prashchit
34. Kaal Chakar
35. Matreyi Maan
36. Paap Di Khatti
37. Soolan Di Sejh
38. Patchar De Panchi
39. Sadran Di Haar
40. Hanjhooyan De Haar
41. Supneyan Di Kabar
42. Var Nahin Saraap
43. Anseetey Jakham
44. Pathar De Khumb
45. Mitha Mahura
46. Prem Sangeet
47. France Da Daakoo
48. Rajni
49. Sunheri Jild
50. Thandian Chawan
51. Midhe Hoye Phul
52. Tasveer De Doven Paase
53. B.A. Paas
54. Meriya Kahaniyaan
55. Mere Naatak
56. Taash Di Aadat
57. Lumba Penda
58. Vishwaas Ghaat
59. Rab Apne Asli Roop Wich

Indian President Giani Zail Singh brought a copy of Khooni Visakhi to India from a museum in England.

His centenary was celebrated in 1997. In Singh's honour, India’s Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral released a postal stamp in 1998.