Balwant Gargi (1916–2003) was a towering figure in Punjabi literature and theatre, renowned for his bold, experimental plays and socially charged narratives. A pioneer of modern Punjabi drama, Gargi’s works blended raw realism with poetic symbolism, tackling taboo subjects like sexuality, caste oppression, and existential despair. His masterpiece, “Loha Kut” (The Iron Punch), revolutionized Punjabi theatre with its unflinching portrayal of rural patriarchy and the exploitation of women, while “Sultan Razia” reimagined historical power struggles through a feminist lens. Gargi’s autobiographical novel “Nangi Dhup” (Naked Sun) exposed the hypocrisies of urban intellectuals, cementing his reputation as a fearless iconoclast. Trained at the BBC and later a professor at the University of Washington, he bridged Punjabi folk traditions with global theatrical techniques, influencing generations of playwrights. Awards like the Sahitya Akademi Award and Padma Shri honored his contributions, but his true legacy lies in his defiance of artistic conformity—whether through the erotic undertones of “Kanak Di Balli” or the existential angst of “Kesro”. Gargi’s works remain vital for their psychological depth and unapologetic critique of societal rot, making him Punjab’s answer to Bertolt Brecht.