Nanak Singh, born Hans Raj in 1897, was an Indian poet and novelist of the Punjabi language. All of 22 years of age, he witnessed the horrific massacre at Jallianwala Bagh, along with two friends who succumbed. His poem, ‘Khooni Vaisakhi’ is a poignant recollection of the events of April 13th 1919 and its aftermath.
The scathing critique of the British regime in the poem resulted in a ban upon its publication and destruction of its copies. It was only in 2019, on the occasion of the centenary of the massacre, that it was published again, and features an English translation by Nanak Singh's grandson, alongside the corresponding Punjabi verse.
Singh also played an active role in the freedom struggle as being part of the Akali Movement. He was publicly recognized with many awards, including Punjab's highest literary award in 1960. His historical novel, Ik Mian Do Talwaran, won him India’s highest literary honor, the Sahitya Akademi Award, in 1962.