Kishor Lalwani
Introductory
When I thought of writing about Kishor Deppachand Lalwani, a popular play writer, actor and Director from Nagpur, two things came to my mind in tandem Nagpur Oranges and traditional Drama environment which Nagpur have. Like the sweetness of Nagpur oranges Kishor is also famous for sweet polite behaviour and helping nature among his friends. Being an actor and Writer, he has carried forward the art tradition of city and added yet another glittering diamond to Play crown of the city. He has presented many Sindhi play for international, national and local Sindhi audiences. This might sound interesting for many to learn that by profession Kishor is associated with banking sector of economics, whereas during the college studies he was student of Science and Law.
Kishor Lalwani -Introductory Biography
Kishor Lalwani is Nagpur, Maharashtra born. 15 June 1957 was the day when Nagpur native Mrs. Primaladevi Lalwani and Mr Deepchand Lalwani have celebrated birth of son, who was named Kishor. Brought up and educated in Nagpur Kishor Lalwani, after completing college education in Science (B.Sc.) has got yet another degree in Law (L.L.B.) and Diploma in Business Management. So, one can say that he loves fields and things of different genres which even might be contrast to each other. Contradictory to Science and Law field of his education Kishore started his life with banking field in the 1977 with a job with Bank of Baroda.
In the year 1985 (06 Jan) Kishor got married with Rashmi and couple is blessed with three daughters. Being a bank employee, transferable job Kishor has lived in many cities of Maharashtra but he kept his permanent residence at his birth place Nagpur. Presently after getting retirement from his bank job in 2017, after long 40 years of service, he is living at Nagpur with his family.
Kishor Lalwani – Performing Art and Literary Life
Kishore’s journey on stage began in his school days. Even before starting college, he presented and acted in a Sindhi Play called “Lalu Mau, Panju Mau.” The plays showcased Kishore’s diverse and multifaceted personality. He played the role of Lalu’s mother. Later, he pursued his college education at Sindhu College, known for its tradition of presenting a play during the annual day function. Kishore transformed this play tradition into Sindhi play tradition by introducing Sindhi play “Pahinja Pahinja Adhikar.” This play brought him his first taste of grand success and opened doors to a career in acting and stage performance. Kishore quickly gained fame in Nagpur’s acting circles as a young Sindhi with versatile acting talent. Kishor’s success has forced Sindhi management of Sindhu College for deciding to include Sindhi plays as a regular part of their annual day function in the years to come.
Nagpur, an important city of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra have a long, historical backdrop and tradition of Stage plays. Fortunately for Kishor, Local Sindhi institution Sindhu Kala Kendra has decided to stage famous Sindhi play Yaad Kanda, of Sindhi Drama King S.P. Menghani with local artist and Kishor got chance in it. This was an opportunity for him to nourish his acting talent and proved a chance for not looking behind.
Being in a transferable job, many times Kishor has been forced to live alone and in leisure time has started scripting a few plays. He also started to present these own written plays on stage with local artists. This was the start of his life as play writer and director. In the 1978 he presented and played role in one act play Suria Sadu Kiyo with some other artist of Nagpur at Delhi in the One Act Plays competition organised by Akhil Bharat Sindhi Boli Ain Sahit Sabha. In the 1980 he played yet another comedy role in Play Hujayai Nano Ta, staged in Mumbai on occasion of birthday celebration of famous Sindhi play writer, educationist and Bhagat, Prof. Ram Panjwani.
Kishor’s transfer to Amravati proved a turning point for his mile stone achievements in the area of acting, writing and Direction. During this time Nagpur’s stalwart stage play director Tulsi Setiya has also shifted to Amravati and both have worked together for many stage presentations. Jagandi Rahe Jot Sadayin (Sindhi Deity Jhulelal) and Sindhudia Jo Sartaj Kanvar (Great Sindhi Bhagat Kanvarram) are considered as the crowing presentations of Kishor Lalwani. Both of these plays are audio visual balete and his unique achievement is to manage forty odd artists playing role in these plays.
With the changing time demands Kishor has started writing and acting in videos and films. He has credit of being story and script writer of some Sindhi films like Tapad Tashan Te and Vaysar EE Gum and only script writer for Lakhi Muhinjo Lakhan Mein and Tuhinje Piyar Mein. In the 2018 he got chance to travel Sindhi with Shadani Darbar Raipur Gadaser Sant Yudhishtir Lal Sahib and with artists of Sindhudi Youth wing, Nagpur based institution, has presented a play titled Shadani Sant Sain Rajaram at Ghotaki and Hayat Pitafi. After returning back his travelogue titled as Hojamalo is also published.
Along with Stage Kishor is also active with Sindhi literary, cultural and social establishments. He is PRO of Nagpur based Sindhudi and secretary of Sindhi Sada Salamat besides being Past President of Bhartiya Sindhu Sabha Sanskritik Manch Nagpur. Presently (2023) he is Member of Sindhi language advisory committee of Central Sahitya Akademy New Delhi and has also worked as Member of Maharashtra Rajya Sindhi Akademy.
List of Books
Jhulelal Toon Daya Kari (2003) – Sajana Der Kaee Eende Eende (2004 ) – Jalvedaar Sindhi (2013 ) – Haliyoon Mayoon Beemar Puchhana (2014) – Band Lifafo (2016 ) – Haa maan gothano ahiyaan (2017) – Hojamalo ( 2019) – Assan vadani jo kamu ahe salaha diyanu (2019) – Sachitra Jeewan Gathaen (2020) – Abhi to Dil jawaan Hai (2020) Sindhudia jo sartaaz kanwar (2020) – Acho ta Dina waar Malhayoon (2020) – Vando Vasu ( 2021) – Natya Samrat (2021 )
Books Window
Kishor Lalwani – Awards
1980 – Best actor Award at Maharashtra Rajy Natya Mahotsav
2013 – Felicitations by Nagpur Mahanagarpalika during Nagpur Mahotsav
2017 – Special Sindhi Translation Award from Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya Akademi
2019 & 2023 – Rajasthan Sindhi Akademi in competition of writing Sindhi Play.
2023 – Sahitya Award from Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya Akademi for Travelogue Hojamalo
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.