Former President Pratibha Patil presenting the Padma Shri Award to Punjabi poet Surjit Singh Patar. File.
| Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Padma Shri recipient Punjabi poet and writer Surjit Singh Patar passed away on the morning of May 11 at his residence near the Barewal Colony.

He was 79. Patar died in his sleep, his family members said.

Patar’s poetic works include ‘Hawa Vich Likhe Harf’, ‘Hanere Vich Sulagdi Varanmala’, ‘Patjhar Di Pazeb’, ‘Lafzaan Di Dargah’ and ‘Surzameen’.

He received the Padma Shri in 2012. He was the president of the Punjab Arts Council.