The celebrated Urdu poet Janab Jigar Jalandhri is a highly acclaimed poet of international repute who is ruling the hearts of millions of people worldwide. Janab Jigar Jalandhri, otherwise known as Dharampal Marwaha was born to Sh. Des Raj Marwaha & Smt. Kahan Devi on 22-01-1935 in the village Sarangdev of Tehsil Ajnala of Amritsar District of Punjab. The family later shifted to Jalandhar where young Jigar received the highest degree in Urdu i.e. Adeeb Fazil after Graduation and LLB. Since childhood, he was inclined towards Urdu poetry, hence became a disciple of Padam Shree Ustad Josh Malsiani in 1955 who gave him the pen name of Jigar Jalandhri.

Jigar Sahib married his soul mate Smt. Kamla on 6th May 1962, who became his inspiration and contributed appreciably in his pursuit for promoting Urdu poetry. He was blessed with three sons Dinesh, Anil and Rajesh who are holding respectable positions at present. The family later shifted to Patiala as Jigar Sahib was employed with Punjab State Electricity Board, from where he retired as Deputy Secretary in 1993. He built up his house "Marwaha Cottage" in Gurbax Colony, Patiala. Though he enjoyed coveted posts and status in Urdu poetry, yet he was a teetotaller. A family man to the core, his priority was the proper nurturing & education of his children.

Janab Jigar Jalandhari’s poetry and lifestyle have been unique in the sense that in both the realms he abstains from wine and women. He has been successful in busting the myth that wine and women are necessary for quality Urdu poetry. His poetry is as chaste as his lifestyle. His poetry touches upon the myriad aspects of a common man’s life and hence appeals to each and every heart. Simplicity is another hallmark of his writings as most of the words used are picked up from common parlance. Loved alike by connoisseurs and the masses, his couplets are able to enfold profound thoughts into simplest of words so that even children can understand the meaning effortlessly and even non-Urdu knowing younger generation can relish and recite them.

Jigar’s books on poetry include Soz-e-Jigar (Urdu, 1972), Lakht-e-Jigar (Urdu, 1979), Khoon-e-Jigar (Urdu, 1984), Andaz-e-Jigar (Hindi Version, 1987) released by the then President of India, Giani Zail Singh in Rashtarpati Bhavan New Delhi, Dard-e-Jigar (Urdu, 1990), Gul-o-Khaar (Hindi Version, 1992), Parwaz-e-Adab (Urdu, 1992), Hamara Punjab (Urdu, 1995), Parwaz-e-Jigar (Urdu, 1998), Andaz-e-Jigar (Punjabi Version, 2000).

Shiromani Sahitkar Janab Jigar Jalandhri was decorated by numerous national and international awards, prominent among which are UP Urdu Academy (1980 and 1985). All India Meer Academy (1985), First Sahir Ludhianvi Award (1986), President’s Award (1987), Rotary International Literary Award (1990), North Zone Cultural Center (1998), Punjab Rattan Award by Governor of Punjab (2000), Rotary Clubs, Jalandhar Jaycee, Chardhikala Literary Award etc. Doordarshan Delhi and Jalandhar produced a documentary on his literary works in 2000 which is being telecast from time to time. In 1999, he was awarded by Management Development Institute of Europe and U.K.

Bazme Adab, an organization promoted by Jigar Sahib is organizing Mushairahs and literary conferences where the renowned poets from different parts of India and Pakistan participate with great zeal.
For the past more than 21 years the annual diary of ‘Hero Cycles’ Ludhiana is publishing his ghazals, geets and couplets as Sh. O.P. Munjal Chairman Hero Cycles Limited Ludhiana declares Jigar Sahib to be his voice. Besides, his work is being published in Punjab Kesari, Hind Samachar, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar, The Tribune, Indian Express, Hindustan Times and other renowned national dailies of India and ‘Takhleekh’, a national daily of Pakistan.

The renowned singers Jagjit Singh and Penaz Misani have given their melodious voice to his ghazals and have made a place in the hearts of people after these ghazals were broad cast by Parsar Bharti.

Besides being a literary figure Jigar Sahib has been a religious and God fearing person and found his true Guru in Bhagat Hans Raj Ji Maharaj (Pitaji) of Sh. Ram Sharanam Gohana from whom he got diksha and whose blessings lent a spiritual hue to his already chaste poetry.