Moti Prakash

Dr. Moti Prakash (Sindhi: ڊاڪٽر موتي پرڪاش‎) was born on 15 May 1931 in village Daro, Sujawal District, Sindh. He was one of the best known poets of the post- partition Sindhi literature. He died on 4 August 2015 in Mumbai, India.^[1]

Early life

Prakash's father Sangras was a postmaster. Moti Prakash had his primary education from his native village Daro and neighboring town Jati. He received his Bachelor's degree each in Arts and Education and Doctorate in Sindhi.^[2][3] From his early age he was fond of reading poetry and children literature.^[4]

Literary career

He had 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 keen interest in the education of Sindhi children. He joined K.J. Khilnani High School at Mumbai, where he rose to the position of Principal. Then he moved to Dubai to manage the The Indian High School, Dubai, from where he retired as a Rector.^[5][6] His famous poetry which has traveled throughout the world in Sindhi community is:

Publications

• 1. 'Aau Ta Choryoon Chung' (Sindhi: آءُ ته چوريون چنگ‎) (Let us play the fiddle), Poems, 1959.
• 2. 'Andhero Ujalo' (Sindhi: انڌيرو اجالو‎) (Light & darkness), Novel, 1963.
• 3. 'Gulran Ja Geet' (Sindhi: گلڙن جا گيت‎) (Songs for budding kids), Children's literature, 1963.
• 4. 'Chininga Vich Choley' (Sindhi: چڻنگ وچ چولي‎) (Sparks in my lap), Poems 1983.
• 5. 'Dithe Deenh Thyam' (Sindhi: ڌٺي ڏينهن ٿيام‎) (Have not seen you for a long), Character Sketches, 1986.
• 6. 'Se Sabh Sandhyum Saah Seen' (Sindhi: سي سڀ سانڍيم ساه سين‎) (All are hidden in my heart), Travelogue, 1987.

As dramatist

Prakash was a founder Secretary of 'Sindhu Kala Mandir', which was established with the object of staging Sindhi full length / one act plays. In addition, he also produced about 250 plays & features for AIR during his tenure with AIR from 1956 to 1977. Prakash also wrote the following Three-Act-plays:

• 1. ‘Raat Hik Toofan Ji’ (Sindhi: رات هڪ طوفان جي‎) (Stormy night), 1971.
• 2. 'Anja Ta Maan Nandhri Ahyam (Sindhi: اڃا ته مان ننڍڙي آهيان‎) (I am still a small kid), 1962.^[7]

Awards

During his literary career, Prakash received several awards. 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 Human Resource Development, Government of India, Award for Outstanding Contributions to Sindhi literature, 1987 (By Akhil Bharat Sindhi Boli Ain Sahit Sabha) and award for his book 'Se Sabh Sandhyum Saah Seen', 1989 (At New Delhi by Sahitya Akademi, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

Death

Prakash died on 4 August 2015 in Mumbai, India.

References