Bhai Vir Singh was born on December 5, 1872 at Amritsar. His ancestors ere men of eminence who distinguished themselves in social service and literary field. Nhai Vir Singh was a great poet, a scholar and a saint. He served humanity in more than one way- as a great writer, an educationist, a reformer and a pragmatic organiser. His is the most eminent name in the great renaissance in the religious, cultural and social life of Punjab. Bhai Vir Singh's knowledge of classical music and Indian religious tradition was deep, based on the knowledge of original sources in Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic. His poetry pulsates with the urge for freedom and inter-religious goodill and he had many admirers among Hindus, Sikhs and the Muslims. To call him a litterateure is not a complete epithet for him.

He belonged to that order of Indian Rishis and mystics, who from time immemorial have been the mainstay of our heritage and culture and he soared to great spiritual heights in his long poem- "Rana Surat Singh." Bhai Vir Singh was a great humanitarian. His efforts fore the amelioration of the conditions of the orphan, the blind, the sick and the old are manifest from the establishment of the Orphanage, the Blind Asylum, the Homeopathic Hospital and the Home for the uplift of the erstwhile untouchables and spreading education among masses were greatly inspired by his writing and personality.

Many honours were conferred on him in recognition of his service to the cause of the Punjabi literature. He was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1956. He pased away on June 10, 1857.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India