by Nanak Singh Nanak Singh (July 4, 1897 – 1971), born Hans Raj, was a poet, songwriter and novelist in the Punjabi language. His writing in support of India's independence movement led the British to arrest him. He published several novels which won him literary acclaim. Early life He was born as Hans Raj to a Punjabi 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 Satguru Mehma containing hymns in praise of the Sikh Gurus, which is considered his first commercial success.