Internationally renowned Photographer Harbhajan Singh Bajwa dies at 85 in Batala
Babushahi Bureau
Batala (Punjab, September 12, 2026: Internationally renowned photographer, Punjabi writer and disciple of renowned artist Sobha Singh, Harbhajan Singh Bajwa, passed away at around 12 noon on Saturday at his residence in Batala. He was around 85.
According to family sources, Bajwa’s last rites will be performed at 11 am on Sunday at the crematorium near Qadian Chungi in Batala.
Bajwa was known for his contribution to photography and Punjabi literature. He learnt painting from renowned artist Sobha Singh while in Andhra Pradesh and, inspired by him, later established his studio on Cinema Road near Hansli in Batala. For several years, he had been living and working from his fields on Thannuwan Road.
During his career, Bajwa worked as a photojournalist for several prominent newspapers and magazines. He was also a Punjabi poet and published three poetry collections — Sukha Kakhan Taht Aag, Maut Ek Aas Di and Tarel Ki Ek Bund.
Bajwa had preserved and donated a significant collection of photographs, slides and historical images to Punjabi Sath Lambra. He also donated his personal library and magazines to Baba Aya Singh Riarki College, Tugalwala, Gurdaspur.
The college later established a dedicated Harbhajan Singh Bajwa wing in its library in recognition of his contribution. Principal Swaran Singh Virk said Bajwa had personally handed over his library and magazines to the institution.
Bajwa was honoured for his lifetime achievements by the S. Uttam Singh Nijjar Foundation at Baba Aya Singh Riarki College, Tugalwala, on April 14, 2024.
His photographic work documented several prominent Punjabi literary and cultural figures, including Gurbaksh Singh Preetlari, Prof Sahib Singh, Sobha Singh, Dr Mahinder Singh Randhawa, Sant Singh Sekhon, Prof Mohan Singh, Sujan Singh, Kartar Singh Duggal, Bhapa Pritam Singh Navyug, Prabhjot Kaur and Colonel Narinderpal Singh. Some of this work was later published in book form by Dr Naresh Kumar and Gagandeep Singh Virk.
Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill, Chairman of the Punjabi Lok Virasat Academy, Ludhiana, paid tribute to Bajwa and recalled his contribution to documenting Punjab’s literary and cultural heritage through photography.
Several personalities, including Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, former Guru Nanak Dev University Vice-Chancellor Dr S.P. Singh, Pirthipal Singh Batala, Dr Satnam Singh Nijjar, Dr Waryam Singh Sandhu, Dr Nirmal Joura and others, expressed grief over Bajwa’s death.