Hari N. Motwani
Hari N. Motwani, born on 30 November 1929 in Larkana, Sind [Pakistan], is a renowned editor and publisher based in Mumbai. With formal education only up to the fourth standard, he rose to prominence through self-learning and dedication, becoming a Member of the Sindhi Advisory Board of the Sahitya Akademi since 1998. He also produced the Sindhi film Ho-Jamalo in 1970, promoting national integration.
A remarkable figure in Sindhi literature, Hari Motwani began his journey by publishing the literary monthly Koonj, which soon established him as a powerful short story writer and novelist. His novel Ajho won the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award and was also honored by Mother Teresa. For over three decades, he has been a leading publisher of Sindhi literary magazines and books, many of which have earned national recognition, making him a major force in the preservation and growth of Sindhi literature.
Key Facts
- Birth Date: 30-11-1929
- Place of Birth: Larkana, Sind (Pakistan)
- Academic Attainments: Upto IV Std.
- Permanent Address: Mumbai, India
- Occupation: Editor and Publisher
Significant Literary Achievements / Contributions
As Writer:
- Abbo, [Father], Novel, 1988.
- Ajho, [Shelter], Novel, 1990.
- Khuddar, [A person of self respect], Short Stories, 1991.
- Jurial Jin Saan Jind, [My Soul is United with them] A Travelogue, 1988.
- Aakhri Panna, [Last pages], an Autobiography 1997.
As Journalist
- Hari edits Koonj literary magazine [Quarterly].
Recognition By Way Of Awards / Honours
- Award for Literary Contributions, 1993 [At Mumbai by Prof. Ram Panjwani Cultural Centre] .
- Award for best Short Story collection Khuddar 1994 [At Mumbai by Govt. of Maharashtra] .
- Shri Ramkishan Jaidayal Harmony Award for Novel Ajho, 1994 [At New Delhi at the hands of Mother Teressa] .
- Award for Novel Ajho, 1995 [At Bangalore by Sahitya Akademi, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India] .
- Award for Literary Contributions, 1996 [At Bangalore by Sharat Chander Birthday Celebration Committee] .
- Saraswati Puraskar at Hindi Sahitya Sammelan on Hindi Diwas, 14th September 2001 [At Prayag] .
Additional Information
- Hari is a Member of Sindhi Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi since 1998.
- He produced Sindhi Film Ho-Jamalo based on national integration in 1970.
Finale
Hari Motwani is a phenomenon in Sindhi literature. He has hardly any formal education, but has risen on the horizon of Sindhi literature as a small shooting star.
He was in the small business 30 years ago but in the company of some Sindhi writer friends he was inspired so much that he started his literary monthly 'Koonj'. It took him no time to arrive at the literary scene as a robust short story writer and has a few collections to his credit. He tried his hand at novel writing and succeeded beyond expectations. His second novel 'Ajho' received the prestigious award from the Sahitya Akademi. Hari has received many awards from Govt. as well as non-Govt. trusts. He has received an award at the hands of Mother Teressa for his novel Ajho.
Hari has been publishing leading literary quarterly magazines for over three decades now. As a matter of fact, he is one of the major publishers in Sindhi language and has been publishing Sindhi Books, some of which have received Sahitya Akademi awards. Outstanding among them being Prof. M.U. Malkani's 'History of Sindhi prose'.