Dr. Motilal Jotwani
Dr. Motilal Jotwani was born on 13 January 1936 in Sukkur, Sind [Pakistan]. Holding an M.A. and Ph.D., he served as Reader in Sindhi at Deshbandhu College, Delhi, before retiring. A scholar of international repute, he was a Post-Doctoral Visiting Scholar at Harvard University during 1979-80 and later edited Indian Author, the quarterly journal of the Authors Guild of India, from 1985 to 1990.
A prolific writer in Sindhi, Hindi, and English, Dr. Jotwani authored numerous works and translated many Sindhi short stories into Hindi and English, thereby introducing Sindhi literature to a wider readership. Widely travelled and associated with foreign universities as a visiting professor, he also played a vital role in the early Sindhiyat movement and actively promoted Sindhi education in New Delhi through his long association with the Sindhi Education Society.
Key Facts
- Birth Date: 13-1-1936
- Place of Birth: Sukkur, Sind (Pakistan)
- Academic Attainments: M.A., Ph.D.
- Permanent Address: New Delhi, India.
- Occupation: Retired Reader in Sindhi,
Deshbhandhu College, Delhi
Significant Literary Achievements / Contributions
As Writer:
- Tre Nandha Novel [Three small novels], Novels, 1992.
- Sunjanap Jo Sankat [Crisis of identity], Short Stories, 1992.
- Aatam Katha Je Naale Mein [In the name of Autobiography], Bigraphical narration, 1994.
- Sahitya Sansaar [Vols I & II], [Literary World], Literary Criticism, 1994.
- Purrush Ain Prakriti [Man & Nature], Poetry, 1997.
- Naen Sire Khan [From very beginning], Essays, 1998.
As Educationist
Dr. Jotwani actively helped in establishing ‘Sindhi Education Society’, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi in 1953, which runs the following two schools:
- Baba Nebhraj Senior Secondary School
- Hemnani Secondary School.
Recognition By Way Of Awards / Honours
Dr. Jotwani has received six awards from Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, for Outstanding Literary Contributions in the years: 1973 [Two Awards], 1974, 1983, 1985, 1999.
In addition, he has also received Awards for his contribution to Hindi literature from Govt. of Delhi in 1988 & Govt. of Uttar Pradesh in 1990.
Additional Information
- Dr. Jotwani was Post - Doctoral Visiting Scholar, Harvard University, USA during 1979-80.
- Edited Indian Author, a quarterly journal of the Authors Guild of India, New Delhi during 1985-90.
Finale
Dr.Motilal is one of the voluminous writers in Sindhi, Hindi and English. In all the three languages, there are many titles to his credit. He has also translated many short stories from Sindhi language to the other two languages, Hindi & English. He has served a great cause of introducing the Sindhi writings to the non-Sindhi readers.
He is a widely read and extensively traveled writer in Sindhi language. He has taught in foreign Universities as visiting Professor / Scholar, more particularly in U.S.A.
He was a strong pillar in the early years of partition of the movement of ‘Sindhiyat’ for the promotion and preservation of Sindhi language and literature. Being keenly interested in the promotion of Sindhi education in the capital [New Delhi], he helped promote Sindhi Education Society, which is running two secondary schools in Lajpat Nagar [New Delhi]. Dr. Motilal served on its Governing body for many years to guide its activities.