Gobind Malhi
TSW Citation
Progressive Sindhi writer, trend setter in Sindhi fiction, human relationship & cosmic principles narrating with sense of black humour Sindhi short story & One Act Play writer Gobind Malhi become 9th awardee of prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1973 for Piyar Ji Piyas [Sindhi Novel] one of his most acclaimed and popular creation. Multi skilled multi-talented Gobind Malhi has credit of close to 50 published book including short stories, translated novels, Drama, Essays and autobiography Adab Ain Adeeb [five volumes]. Gobind Malhi has also produced Sindhi film Sindhu-A Je Kinare. Looking at his contribution Gobind Malhi will be remembered as ambassador of Sindhi literature & Sindhi culture.
Biography / About - Gobind Malhi
Gobind Malhi, the person who presented and introduced Sindhi Koyel Bhagwanti Navani to world, is the true reflection of vast canvas of Sindhi literature. Novelist, Drama Writer and film producer Gobind Malhi was born on 5 August 1921 at Tharu Shah in Sindh. After completing Schooling Matriculation in 1939 he went to D J Sindh College Karachi and acquired L.L.B. His father wants him to practice as Lawyer and take care of ancestral land but as by that time Gobind has found a keen interest in politics and literature so he did not work likewise however to satisfy father he married with sister of famous Prof. Balwani as per the proposal of father.
Under the influence of friends, he joined Communist Party and remained General Secretary for Karachi till he migrated to India. Actually, the political journey of Gobind Malhi was started since his student life and by the time he migrated to India due to partition he has become a renowned politician. This might be his involvement with Communist Party which tempted him to translate Maxim Gorky’s Novel Mother in Sindhi.
After migrating India, he starting living at Kandivali a suburb of Mumbai. Gobind Malhi has migrated a bit later than others but according to him as he was used to wear Sherwani and his looks were alike of a Pathan so he did not face any problem in migration. In India he kept on being involved with Sindhi literature and soon through his novel writing earned the fame of notable personality of Sindhi literature. Along with Kirat Babani and other he started Sindhi Halchal (movement) which finally resulted as the inclusion of Sindhi language in eighth schedule of Indian constitution.
Gobind Malhi is considered as the writer of first generation of progressive Sindhi writers though history criticism was his Favorite topic but still in his novels with the help of Sindhi characters he successfully depicted his love for Sindh and atmosphere of Sindh. Novels of Gobind Malhi have covered a wide range of themes from love marriage to problems of combined families and even divorce.
Before introducing Bhagwanti Navani [with time she gained fame of Sindhi Koyel] on silver screen, activity center of Gobind Malhi has shifted to music and in 1951 Kalakar Mandal came in existence to stage plays & arranged many stage programs not only in India but abroad also. Many famous artists like Bhagwanti Navani, Madan Jumani, Ishwar Navani, Satram Rohra etc were associated with Kalakar Mandal. In the 1968 he has made a Sindhi Film Sindhu-a-Je Kinare and afterward founded Gobind Malhi Cultural Academy with the help of his daughter Pushpa Malhi. Today the academy is looked by his daughter Shobha. Academy is not only arranging Sindhi cultural programs but also felicitating notable Sindhi personality from Sindhi literature. Gobind Malhi has also edited bimonthly Sindhi Magazine MURK and worked as journalist.
The multi skilled novel writer and film producer Gobind Malhi passed away on 10 February 2001.
Literary Contribution
List of Books written by Gobind Malhi :
01] Inqalabi Sipahi – 02] Aansoo – 03] Zindagia jee Raah Te – 04] Jeevan Saathi – 05] Pakhiara Vilar Khaan Vichriya – 06] Man No Meet – 07] Lalkaar – 08] Pahireen Muhaabat – 09] Lok Aahe Bok – 10] Sharam Booti – 11] Chanchal Niganhoon – 12] Dil De Dil Vathu 12] Dehi Pardehi Thiya – 13] Ishq Nahe Raand – 14] Desi Senna Kajhan – 15] Pyar jee Shikast – 16] Jin Soori Baanien Seej – 17] Hik Insaan Sau Toofan – 18] Preetam Vayo Pardes – 19] Smuggler – 20] Sindhu’a Je Kinare – 21] Soonha Ja Saudagar – 22] Pyar Ji Pyaas – 23] Muhhbat jee Raah Te – 24] Toon Maa, Hua – 25] Masoree-a Jee Raani – 26] Bhabhi
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Awards
Sahitya Akademi Award: Year 1973
Title of Book: Piyar Ji Piyas
Other Awards:
1996: Life Time Achievement Award by Sindhi Sahitya Academy
1993: Literary Award by Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad Kolkata
1991: International Latif Award
1990: Gaurav Puraskar By Maharashtra Government
Famous and popular Sindhi folk singer Bhagwanti Navani is eventually immortal as she even after losing the physical existence still alive at hearts of thousands and thousands of Sindhi music lovers. Often called as Sindhi Koyel Bhagwanti was born on 01 Feb 1940 at Nasarpur. Undisputed queen of Singing Sindhi Lada (marriage ritual songs) Bhagwanti will always be remembered for singing Sukhamani Sahib (Guru Bani) in Sindhi. She also acted in Sindhi film Sindhua Je Kinare. On 22 Oct 1986 she left for heavenly abode.