Punjabi is a language with a long and diverse history, shaped by the people and regions where it has been spoken and written for centuries. It has been expressed through multiple scripts, including Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi, and has always existed across faiths, borders, and communities. The Dhahan Prize was created to recognize Punjabi language and literature in its entirety—beyond divisions of script, religion, or geography—and to honour a shared literary heritage that continues to connect people