(Late) Mangharam Udharam Malkani
[Late] Mangharam Udharam Malkani was born on 24 December 1896 in Hyderabad, Sind [Pakistan]. A B.A. [Hons.] graduate, he chose the noble profession of teaching over his zamindari background and served as a lecturer, later retiring from Jai Hind College, Mumbai. He passed away in December 1980.
A towering figure in 20th-century Sindhi literature, Prof. Malkani is regarded as the father of the modern Sindhi one-act play and one of its finest dramatists. His short plays, many of which were staged in Sind and later in India, were published in compilations during his lifetime. He also made a lasting contribution by uniting Sindhi writers under the banner of Sindhi Adabi Mandal, strengthening the literary movement.
Key Facts
- Birth Date: 24.12.1896
- Place of Birth: Hyderabad, Sind (Pakistan)
- Academic Attainments: B.A. (Hons.)
- Permanent Address: Pune, India.
- Occupation: Retd. Lecturer, Jai Hind
College, Mumbai
Significant Literary Achievements / Contributions
As Writer:
- Adabi Usool [Literary principles], Essays, 1950.
- Jeevan Chahchita [Scenes or episodes of life], Plays, 1957.
- Khur Khubeeta Piya Timkan [Fire flies sparkle] Plays, 1967.
- Sindhi Nasur Jee Tarekh [History of Sindhi Prose], 1968.
- Akhreen Bheta [The last offering], Plays, 1975.
As Dramatist
He produced among others the following Sindhi plays, which became quite popular:
- Pap Jo Keeto, [Fruits of sin].
- Nakhalaf Putr, [Disobedient son].
- Aulad [Kin].
- Preet Ji Reet, [The way of love].
- Tea Party.
- Samund Ji Gajgor [Roar of the ocean].
- Kurro Kalank [The blame].
- Melap [Union].
Recognition By Way Of Awards / Honours
During his lifetime, Shri Malkani received several Awards / Honours. We are however, unable to trace the record except the following:
- Award for his book Sindhi Nasur Jee Tarikh, 1969 [At New Delhi by Sahitya Akademi, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India].
Additional Information
- Shri Malkani was considered to be one of the best Dramatist and father of Modern Sindhi One Act Play.
- His most important contribution to Sindhi literature was his effort to bring Sindhi writers together under Sindhi Adabi Mandal.
He expired in December 1980.
Finale
Late Prof. Mangharam Malkani was a towering and fatherly figure of Sindhi literature of the 20th Century. Socially he had a 'zamindari' background, but the love of his language attracted him to literature. He abandoned his ancestral vocation and adopted noble profession of teaching. He took up a job of a lecturer in English at the D.J. Sindh College, Karachi. This provided him time and opportunity to take to writing.
He wrote short plays in Sindhi, many of them were staged in Sind and afterwards in India.These plays have been brought out into compilations during his lifetime in India.