Shyam Sanwaldas Jaisinghani
Shyam Sanwaldas Jaisinghani, born on 12 February 1937 in Quetta, Baluchistan [Pakistan] is a B.A. [Hons.] in Economics with diplomas in photography and civil draughtsmanship. A retired Editor from the Sahitya Akademi, Ministry of HRD, Government of India, he has travelled extensively in India and abroad. Besides writing, his interests include travel, trekking, and photography, and he has designed cover jackets for nearly 50 Sindhi publications.
One of the leading fiction writers of the third generation of post-Partition Sindhi authors, he has made significant contributions across almost every literary form-novels, short stories, drama, poetry, essays, and criticism. A proclaimed modernist, his writing boldly breaks traditional barriers of style and subject while maintaining artistic restraint, marked by sensitivity, aesthetic judgment, and a clear distinction between creative expression and vulgarity.
Key Facts
- Birth Date: 12-2-1937
- Place of Birth: 'Quetta', Baluchistan (Pakistan)
- Academic Attainments: B.A. (Hons.) in Economics,
Diploma in Photography
Diploma in Civil Draughtsmanship - Permanent Address: Mumbai, India
- Occupation: Retired 'Editor' from Sahitya
Akademi, Ministry of HRD,
Govt. of India.
Significant Literary Achievements / Contributions
- Kacha Dhaga [Weak threads], Novel, 1966.
- Nango Asman [Bare sky],Stories, 1967.
- Goani Manzar [Goan landscape], Poems, 1987.
- Hik Biyo Deenhun [Another day], Stories, 1988.
- Vichottiyoon [Crevices], Poems, 1981.
- Melan jo Safar [Miles to go], Stories, 1986.
- Zilzilo [Earth quake], Play, 1992.
Recognition By Way Of Awards / Honours
Shyam Jai Singhani has received among others, the following Awards:
- Award for his book Vichhottyoon, 1981 [At New Delhi by Ministry of Education, Govt. of India].
- Award for his book Melan jo Safar, 1986 [At New Delhi by Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India].
- Award for his book Hik Biyo Deenhun, 1990 [At Mumbai by Maharashtra State Sindhi Sahitya Academy].
- Prize for translating C.T. Khanlokar’s book Chani, 1995 [At New Delhi by Sahitya Akademi, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India].
- Award For his Play Zilzilo, 1998 [At New Delhi by Sahitya Akademi, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India].
Additional Information
- Shyam has widely travelled both in India and abroad.
- Apart from writing, his other interests are travel, trekking, and photography.
- He has designed cover jacket of about 50 Sindhi publications.
Finale
Shyam is one of the outstanding fiction writers of the 3rd generation of post-partition writers. There are many titles to his credit. He has covered almost all branches of literature : novel, short story, drama, poetry, criticism, essay etc.
He is a proclaimed modernist. His writings have broken traditional barriers, both in style and content. He does not suffer from any inhibitions in social relations, sex & morality. But he does not land himself, in sensuality or vulgarity. He has aesthetical sense to prescribe for himself what is art and what is licentiousness. He could make distinction between subtlety and crudity.