Vasdev Mohi
TSW Citation
Horizon of Sindhi literary world never appeared to be without Stars. Vasdev Mohi, recipient of 1999 Sahitya Akademi Award for his poetry collection (Sindhi Book) Baraf Jo Thahiyal, famous for his very much clear expression of thought and expressing self in words of a common Sindhi has proved it yet again. Besides the Poetry, Vasudev hold equal authority when it comes to Short Story writing & Criticism. Vasdev Mohi has not been awarded but he has earned title of being identified as Icon of first generation of Sindhi literary personalities in India, in the era after the forced migration of Sindhi community to India. Team TSW wishing him all the success and long healthy life years with dedicating a couplet in Sindhi (words in color are titles of books of Vasdev Mohi) .
बर्फ जो ठहियिल माणुहू पुछे सुतल आत्मा खां सुबूह किथे आहे
वज़ूद जो खंडहर ऐं डेढ़ गंढ़ि जो जीवन में क़िरदार कहिड़ो आहे
Biography / About - Vasdev Vensimal Sidhnani
Famous Sindhi Poet – Sindhi Ghazal – Sahitya Akademi Awards 1999 – Baraf Jo Thahiyal [Poetry]
This was a bit different evening for the Sindhi literary world as writer of “Baraf Jo Thahiyal “[composed of ice] famous Sindhi poet Vasdev Mohi was being felicitated with Academy Award of Sindhi Sahitya Academy Award 1999. Born as Vasdev Vensimal Sidhnani on 02 March 1944 at Mirpur Khas Sindh, Vasdev Mohi is one of the popular names of Sindhi literary community in India.
Native of Ahmedabad Gujarat [though the family tried to get rooted at Jodhpur Rajasthan first and shifted to Ahmedabad in 1950] Vasdev Mohi has a Master’s Degree [M.A.] in the English Literature in the academic column of his profile. Though he started his life as a government servant [working with LIC of India Joined in September 1966] but within no time was in the field of education as he started working with Indian School Dubai [Joined October 1987] to teach English and remained with that job till retirement [March 2004] as the Head of English Department.
In the Sindhi literature Vasdev Mohi is considered as the Icon of Modern Sindhi Poetry, making Sindhi Gazal popular among the masses. He is known as the writer of clarity of expressions, true depth of thoughts and strong hold over the pronouncing. His first book titled “Tazaad ” published in 1976 was a poetry collection and was appreciated alike by the critics and common readers. His yet another book “Subah Kithe Ahe “has made him Favorite of readers. Vasdev Mohi has credit of presenting Sindhi Gazal in a new effective way of Hyku Gazal, a writing style inspired or more correctly combination of Traditional Sindhi writing and Japanese Hyku style.
In the second half of his literary life Vasdev Mohi has also tried to present his new horizons of short stories and critical essays and to the surprise of all not only the literary fraternity but common readers have also appreciated him for this new beginning. Vasdev Mohi also translated a few writings into Sindhi language and was felicitated by National council for promotion of Sindhi language and Sahitya Academy Delhi. He was also part and to lead the Delegation of Indian Writers visited China in the year 2011.
Besides the writing Vasdev Mohi has contributed to Sindhi literature in the capacity of Member of Executive Board of Sahitya Academy and Convener of Sindhi Advisory Board from 2008 to 2012. High light of his tenure was the seminar of Indo-Pak Sindhi writers held at New Delhi. At Present Vasdev Mohi is working as Member of Advisory Board [2018 – 2022] to Sindhi Sahitya Akademi Awards.
After being in hospital for few days Vasdev Mohi left the physical world on 27 th August 2021.
Literary Contribution
Vasdev Mohi is among the rare personalities of Sindhi literature who had contributed through almost all the horizons of Sindhi literature. Here is list of his books
Poetry: 1976 – Tazzad: 1983 – Subah Kithe Ahe :: 1992 – Mankoo [afterward translated in to Gujarati and Hindi by others] :: 1996 – Barf Jo Thahiyil :: 2001 – Chuhinb Mein Kakhu :: 2009 – Rail Ji Patri Meri :: 2018 – Khamoshia khe likhando Aahyaan
Translation: 1976- Sutal Atma :: 2006 – Antaral
Educational: 1976 – Vajood Jo Khandhar ::2011 – Jadeed Sindhi Shayarai Jo Intekhab :: 2012- Adhunik Bhartiya Kavita
Criticism & Short Stories: 2007 – Gaalih Shayarai Jee:: 2008- Virhange Khan Poy Sindhi Gazal Jo Handbook :: 2012 – Chequebook :: 2016 -Dedh Gandh
Books Window
Awards
Sahitya Akademi Award: Year 1999
Title of Book: “Baraf Jo Thahiyil” (Made of Ice)
Other Awards:
A few other significant awards of Vasdev Mohi are:
Award by Gujarat Sahitya Academy [Translation]
Sahityakar Sanman – Lifetime Achievement Award by NCPSL
Literary Award by Priyadarshini Academy
Lifetime Achievement Award by Sindhi Academy Delhi
Gangadhar National Award for Poetry
Jivan Gaurav Puraskar by Gujarat Sahitya Academy
Saraswati Award [K K Birla Foundation] 2019 for Cheque Book [Story Collection]
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.