Dr. Moti Prakash
Dr. Moti Prakash was born on 15 May 1931 in Daro, District Thatta, Sind [Pakistan]. He pursued higher studies in Arts and Education and earned a Ph.D. in Sindhi. Settled in Mumbai, he later served as the Director of the Indian Institute of Sindhology, Adipur [Kutch], and emerged as one of the most distinguished poets of post-Partition Sindhi literature, contributing significantly to poetry, short stories, drama, novels, critical essays, literary sketches, and journalistic columns.
Deeply committed to the education of Sindhi children, Dr. Moti Prakash began his academic career at K.J. Khilnani High School, Mumbai, where he rose to the position of Principal. He was later invited to Dubai to head the renowned Indian High School, from which he retired as Rector after transforming it into a leading institution of excellence.
Key Facts
- Birth Date: 15-5-1931
- Place of Birth: Daro - Distt; 'Thatta' Sind (Pakistan)
- Academic Attainments: B. A., B. Ed., Ph.D. (Sindhi)
- Permanent Address: Mumbai, India.
- Occupation: Director, Indian Institute of Sindhology Adiput (Kutch)
Significant Literary Achievements / Contributions
As Writer & Poet:
- Aau Ta Choryoon Chung [Let us play the fiddle], Poems, 1959.
- Andhero Ujalo [Light & darkness], Novel, 1963.
- Gulran Ja Geet [Songs for budding kids], Children’s literature, 1963.
- Chininga Vich Choley [Sparks in my lap], Poems 1983.
- Dithe Deenh Thyam [Have not seen you for a long], Character Sketches, 1986.
- Se Sabh Sandhyum Saah Seen [All are hidden in my heart], Travelogue, 1987.
As Dramatist
Moti was a founder Secretary of Sindhu Kala Mandir, which was established with the object of staging Sindhi full length / one act plays. In addtion, he also produced about 250 plays & features for AIR during his tenure with AIR from 1956 to 1977. Moti also wrote the following Three-Act-plays:
- Raat Hik Toofan Ji [Stormy night], 1971.
- Anja Ta Maan Nandhri Ahyam [I am still a small kid], 1962.
Recognition By Way Of Awards / Honours
During his literary career, Moti has received several awards / honours. A few most significant are given below:
- Award for his book Gulran Ja Geet Children’s literature 1975 [At New Delhi By NCERT, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India].
- Award for Outstanding Contributions to Sindhi literature, 1987 [By Akhil Bharat Sindhi Boli Ain Sahit Sabha].
- Award for his book Se Sabh Sandhyum Saah Seen, 1989 [At New Delhi by Sahitya Akademi, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India].
Finale
Dr. Moti Prakash is one of the outstanding poets of the post-partition Sindhi literature. He has contributed to other genres, such as short story, drama, and novel, critical essay, literary sketches and journalistic columns in a few newspapers.
He possessed a very keen interest in education of Sindhi children. He joined K.J. Khilnani High School at Mumbai, where he scaled the ladder to the highest position of the Principal ship. Then he was lured to Dubai to manage the well-known Indian High School, from where he retired as a Rector, having built the institution to a glory.