Motilal Jotwani | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1936-01-13)13 January 1936 |
| Died | 28 January 2008(2008-01-28) (aged 72) Pune, India |
| Occupation(s) | Scholar, writer, educationist |
| Known for | Sindhi literature |
| Spouse | Raj Jotwani |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Awards | Padma Shri Shah Abdul Latif Award Kriti Puraskar Sahitya Academy Award Sindhu Ratan |
| Website | web site |
Motilal Wadhumal Jotwani (Hindi pronunciation:[moːtiːˈlaːlʋaːdʱʊˈmaːldʒoːˈtʋaːniː]; 13 January 1936 – 28 January 2008) was an Indian writer, educationist,Gandhian and a former post doctoral fellow ofHarvard Divinity School who specialized inSindhi language and literature.[1][2] A winner ofSahitya Academy Award,[3] he was honoured by theGovernment of India in 2003 withPadma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award.[4]
Motilal Jotwani was born on 13 January 1936 atRohri, in theSukkur district of theSindh region in theBritish India.[1][2][3] His family moved to India after thepartition of 1947 and settled in Delhi.[1][2][3] After graduating, he obtained a post graduate diploma in journalism fromPunjab University in 1959, secured his master's degree (MA) in English literature fromDelhi University[5] and joined the university as a lecturer atDeshbandhu College from where he retired as the Reader in Sindhi literature.[2] He also obtained a doctoral degree (PhD) on the work ofShah Abdul Latif Bhitai, renowned Sufi poet.[1][2][3]
Jotwani authored 60 books in English, Hindi and Sindhi languages, composed of poems, short stories, novels and essays.[1][2][3][6][7] He is the author ofDictionary of Sindhi Literature[8] and a critical study on Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, under the name,Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, His Life and Work.[3][9]Pratinidhi Rachnayen (1996),Sufis of Sindh (1986),Sindhis Through Centuries (2006),Anaasir jee Saazish (1968),Sandandhani je Sarakuni te (1982),Pursh ain Prakriti (1997)Kotha (1985),Sunjaanap jo Sankat (1992) andNaen Sire Khan (1998) are some of his other notable works.[3]
Jotwani, a knowngandhian and aSindhi language scholar, was the secretary ofSindhi Academy of theGovernment of India and during his tenure, he completed a book on Gandhiji,Gandhiji on Sindh and the Sindhis, with the assistance ofK. R. Malkani, renowned historian and politician.[10] He was also a visiting post doctoral fellow ofHarvard Center for the Study of World Religions during 1979-80.[2][3] He was also the editor ofIndian Author, the official journal of the Authors Guild of India, New Delhi from 1985 to 1990.[2] His contributions are also reported in the establishment ofSindhi Education Society which manages two schools, Baba Nebhraj Senior Secondary School and Hemnani Secondary School, in Delhi. He served as a member of its governing council for many years.[2]
Motilal Jotwani received six citations and awards from theMinistry of Human Resource Development during 1973-1999 for his literary contributions.[2] He received Hindi literary awards from theGovernment of Delhi and theGovernment of Uttar Pradesh in 1988 and 1990 respectively.[2] He has also received Hindi AcademyKriti Puraskar,Sahitya Academy Award andSindhu Ratan Award.[3] TheGovernment of India awarded him the civilian honour ofPadma Shri in 2003.[1][3] In 2006, he received the Shah Abdul Latif Award from theGovernment of Sindh.[1][3]
Jotwani died on 28 January 2008 inPune, succumbing to a cardiac arrest, leaving behind his wife, Raj Motwani and two sons.[1][3]
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