Hiro Shewkani
Introductory / TSW Citation
Famous Sindhi Writer & Critic – Sindhi Adab Ji Tarikh – 41st Awardee of Sahitya Academy Award 2008 for Sindhi Language
Sindhi educationist and Ex Principal of R K Talreja College Ulhasnagar, Hiro Shewkani is among those birds of Sindhi literary sky who had created new and own horizon for self. Hiro Shewkani has redefined the literary criticism by providing new style and new horizons. He was fortunate as at the same time Harish Vaswani was also doing the same thing. Entire Sindhi literary world was not only impressed with wisdom and talent Hiro Shewkani have but become fan of his creativity. Besides this Hiro has also contributed to Sindhi literature by translating “History of Sindhi Literature” [by L.H. Ajwani] from English to Sindhi with Title “Sindhi Adab Ji Tarikh”
Biography / About - Hiro Shewkani
Hiro Shewkani, belongs to Thatho, the land, birth place of Sindhi Deity Lord Jhulelal. He was fortunate to take birth nearby this holly place on 06 January 1935 at village Chuhar Jamali though this fortune did not last for a longer period as country’s partition has forced him and his family to migrate to India. This was a real painful experience for a student of standard sixth to balance his feet which were often refusing to bear load of anguish filled heart.
The unmatched creativity for which Shewkani has been renowned was born here as Hiro has used this turmoil of partition as the fuel for sharpening his creative powers. His family has chosen Ahmadabad to resettle the life. In the year 1961 he has passed B.A. with Sindhi as special subject and decided to works as Lecturer of Sindhi even before he passed M.A. in 1963. Though like B.A. he was not the first class first [Gujarat University] at M.A. as this time he was ranked second.
During the days of student life Hiro Shewkani was used to attend and participate in the literary meetings held at Harishchandra Paathshaala Ahmedabad. This has not only helped him to get his literary potentials nourished but also helped in developing approach to Sindhi literature. Though the first short story written by Hiro Shewkani was published in 1954 but his first book was published in 1975.
In the 1968 he joined R K Talreja College Ulhasnagar as the senior lecturer in Sindhi and remains in service till his retirement in 1995 from the post of Principal. During these years he served the Sindhi language and literature in various capacities. Some of the key post on which Hiro Shewkani has worked during the span of time are: –
1981 as the Ph.D. guide for Sindhi at Mumbai University
1985 Chairman, Board of Studies in Sindhi, Mumbai University
1986-1995 Convener, Board of Studies in Sindhi, Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Pune
1992 Member of Sindhi Advisory Board of Sahitya Academy New Delhi
1992-1995 Member of Sindhi language committee of Bhartiya Gyan Peeth Literary Award
After retirement in 1995 Hiro Shewkani has joined the Gandhidham Collegiate Board Adipur as the Executive Secretary and worked till 2001.
Hiro Shewkani has also done some translation work like “Sindhi Adab Ji Tarikh” which is considered as his most significant contribution to Sindhi literature. This if often said that he along with Harish Vaswani has changed the style of criticism in its totality and has introduced new horizon for it.
He left the physical world on 30 July 2021.
Literary Contribution
List of Books [In alphabetical Order of Titles] written by Hiro Shewkani
Choond Sindhi Kahaniyun
Jaijo
Jiddat-Jo-Mafahoom Ain Sindhi Kahani
Kathaghare Mein
Lok Lahwaro Vahe Toon Oocho Vahu
Nai Sindhi Kahani
Nai Sindhi Kavita
Nuqta Nazar
Sahitya Surhan
Sindhi Adab Ji Tarikh
Sirjan Jo Sankat Ain Sindhi Kahani
Zindagi Ain Cactus
Books Window
Awards
Sahitya Akademi Award: Year 2008
Title of Book: “Sirjan Jo Sankat Ain Sindhi Kahani”
Other Awards:
Hiro Shewkani was also felicitated with Academy Award [Translation] for translating “History of Sindhi Literature” [by L.H. Ajwani] from English to Sindhi with Title “Sindhi Adab Ji Tarikh” in the year 1997. He is honored also by Gujarat Sindhi Sahitya Academy with Gaurav Puraskar.
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.