Gobind Malhi (5 August 1921-10 February 2001) was a Sindhi fictionist, essayist and a dramatist-director. He is credited with having revived Sindhi theatre in

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. His extensive body of work comprises twenty-four novels, forty-one plays, forty short stories, and numerous articles covering a wide range of subjects. He has also directed over fifty productions.

Biography

Early years

Malhi was born in 1921, in Nawabshah District in a small village Tharushah, in a Hindu

Zamindar A zamindar in the Indian subcontinent was an autonomous or semi-autonomous feudal lord of a ''zamindari'' (feudal estate). The term itself came into use during the Mughal Empire, when Persian was the official language; ''zamindar'' is the ...

family. From a young age, Malhi showed defiance against societal norms and a keen interest in music and nature. Personal circumstances significantly influenced Malhi's formative years. He lost his mother when he was just sixteen months old.https://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/library/meettheauthor/gobind_malhi.pdf He was also compelled into matrimony while still a student in Karachi due to societal pressure and familial norms. Despite these challenges, his education in Karachi provided him exposure to broader ideas and experiences. Inspired by his father's extensive book collection, Malhi began writing poetry at 14. As an adult, he actively participated in the Indian National Independence Movement, causing a rift with his traditionalist father. Despite his father's objections, Malhi joined the 1942 'Quit India Movement' and faced imprisonment for violating colonial laws.

Writing Career

In Karachi, Malhi gained recognition in literary circles, hosting gatherings attended by prominent writers of his time. He founded and edited the magazine ''Nia Duniya'', promoting progressive Sindhi thought. After the partition of India, Malhi relocated to

Mumbai Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...

. His work includes over two dozen novels, three dozen short plays, and over thirty-five short stories, earning him numerous awards. Malhi's translations of literature from other languages enriched Sindhi literature, while his own works have been translated into multiple languages. Malhi also made significant contributions to Sindhi culture through his work in drama, film, and music. His efforts to unite Sindhi writers under a shared platform further solidified his legacy within the Sindhi cultural and literary community.

Books

*''Sindhi Kahani Chayanika'', Pakhira Valar Khan Vichuria * ''Inqalabi Sipahi'' * ''Aansun'', Sargam Sahitya * ''Zindagi Ji Rah Te'', novel * ''Sharam Booti'', Sathi Sahitya * ''Jeevan Sathi'', novel

References

Sindhi-language writers Sindhi writers Indian Sindhi people Indian male writers 1921 births 2001 deaths {{India-writer-stub