Born on July 22, 1922 at Village Khahi Qasim in Sindh, passed away on January 10, 1989 in Mumbai, India
Sindh Courier
Narayan Gokaldas Nagwani a.k.a. Narayan Shyam or Narain Shyam (22 July 1922 – 10 January 1989) was a renowned Sindhi language poet. He was one of the foremost poets associated with the progressive movement. He was awarded the Sahtia Academy Award in 1970 for Sindhi Literature by Sahtia Academy, India for his poetry collection
Narain Shyam was born on 22 July 1922 at Goth (Village) Khahi Qasim, Tehsil Bhiria, District Naushehro Feroze (Formerly part of Nawabshah District) of Sindh. He received his early education in Nawabshah. He obtained his BA (Hons) degree from Bombay University in 1943. His optional subject in BA (Hons.) was Persian. He became a teacher of Persian in Madrasa School Naushehro Feroze, where he taught until October 1947. After the partition of Indian subcontinent in January 1948 he moved to Bombay, India. He also stayed in Ajmer and was employed in the Post and Telegraph Department of India.
He was a very important and representative poet of the progressive school of Sindhi poetry. Narain Shyam played an important role in consolidating progressive ideas, concepts and trends in Sindhi poetry. The maturity of social and political consciousness is evident in his poetry. Narayan had been associated with freedom and public welfare movements, so his speeches clearly reflect modern objectivity.
Also read: Sindhis of Bhopal pay rich tributes to great poet Narayan Shyam
Narayan Shyam’s study was extensive, and he had a keen eye on world literature. He was fully aware of the wide-ranging changes taking place in world literature and was also aware of the changing role of literature, which is why his poetry plays a very serious social role instead of a hobby.
Narain is one of the foremost Sindhi poets who had successfully experimented with the ancient genres of Sindhi literature i.e. Wai (Vaee), Kafi and Bait etc. He also worked on certain genres of Western poetry such as Blank Verses, Free Verses and Sonnet. He has given more energy and color to the Sindhi poetry.
Narain also successfully experimented with three short stanzas in Sindhi poetry in the style of Japanese genre of haiku, which is an addition to Sindhi poetry. In recognition of his literary services, the Narain Shyam Award, a literary award in his name, has been launched in India, which is given to poetry collections published in Sindhi language.
He married from the Raisinghanis, a famous Sahiti family in the year 1940. He had four sons and four daughters.
Literary work
He created free verses, blank verses and sonnet. He had number of literary work publication to his credit. Following are some of the most significant literary works:
Maak Bhina Rabel (Sindhi: ماڪَ ڀِنا رابيل) (Rabel flower wet with dew), Poetry, 1964.
Wari-a-Bhariyo Paland (Sindhi: واريءَ ڀريو پَلاندُ) (Sand in lap), Poetry, 1968.
Aachhinde Laj Maran (Sindhi: آڇيندي لَڄَ مَران) (Feel embarrassed whilst offering), Poetry, 1972.
Mahiki Vel Subah ji (Sindhi: مَهڪي ويلَ صُبح جي) (Lovely morning), Poetry, 1983.
Daat Ain Hayat (Sindhi: ڏات ۽ حيات) (Divine gift & life), Poetry, 1988.
Narayan Shyam passed away on 10 January 1989 in Bombay, India.
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