The novel is an exploration of a Punjabi family’s journey through language, culture, and identity, has already set tongues wagging with its fresh perspective on Brampton’s multicultural reality
FOR his latest novel, ‘How to Speak Punjabi in Brampton’, Nigerian writer, Onyeka Nwelue, has been formally honoured by the Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown.
Mayor Brown presented an official certificate of recognition to the young but prolific writer at a special launch event of the book held at the ‘A Different Booklist’ Bookshop in Bathurst Street, Toronto.
The novel is an exploration of a Punjabi family’s journey through language, culture, and identity, has already set tongues wagging with its fresh perspective on Brampton’s multicultural reality.
Impressed by the novel’s raw portrayal of the Punjabi community, Mayor Brown stepped forward to honour Nwelue for his “contribution to the city’s literary scene.”
With Brampton boasting one of the largest Punjabi populations in Canada, ‘How to Speak Punjabi in Brampton’ goes into the heart of the city’s cultural melting pot.
It relates a story centering around Balminder Jagvir Singh, a hospitality lecturer at Hanson College in Brampton. While he juggles the demands of academia, his life is thrown into chaos when his Sikh parents arrive in Canada, bringing along a woman they’ve arranged for him to marry. However, none of them speak English — only Punjabi and Hindi — and their arrival at the airport sets off a chain of bizarre events.
With the novel’s cinematic appeal, there are plans for it to be adapted into film in the nearest future,” disclosed Nwelue, author of over 22 books. He noted that “Fans can expect the same intrigue, cultural richness, and unexpected twists that have made the book a sensation.
… Screening biopic on Ojukwu at the Toronto Int’l Film Festival
MEANWHILE, Nwelue is at the Toronto International film Festival, TIFF 2024, where his film, ‘The Other Side of History, is being screened in the market section. He flew into Canada from his Mexico base, where he runs the African Centre in Puebla.
‘The Other Side of History’ is a biopic on Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, set around the period before the Civil War. It places focus on his personal life and challenges viewers to rethink their opinion on such notable Nigerians like Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Christopher Okigbo, Philip Effiong and J.P Clark.
