VASDEV MOHI Author: Dr. Jagdish Lachhani Journey Continues …

God has made the poet, loved by all Poetry is God’s Gift, only a few get that gift

Vasdev Mohi belongs to the group of a selected few who are blessed with Prophetic gift. He has used the gift more relevant ly with deep study and tireless practice. It is said, “Creative writer is always thirsty for study . He remains thirsty till he is alive”. Vasdev Mohi is an artist who can be called multitalented. Vasdev Mohi is a respected name amongst writers of prose and poetry, in as well as in . Vasdev Mohi started his writing career with Ghazal. His early Ghazals are included in an anthology of ghazals “Boondoon Thiyoon Malhar” (Drops became Rain). Later he turned his sight toward s Modern Poetry and made his mark. In Ghazal writing he is known as a unique and respected writer. He has experimented with Ghazal many a time , which reveals the modern thinking and unfolding of the art . Vasdev Mohi says, “I respect the traditions. I feel that we cannot discard the traditional literature. But, being a traditionalist will hamper progress of literature. Hence I have used the traditional form but I have not adopted the traditional subject matter. I put flesh over the skeleton, gave it life wit h my blood, and composed it in a different form; I created my own rhymes and provided uniqueness in Ghazal.” 1 Vasdev Vensimal Si dhnani, who is famous person and known as Vasdev Mohi in world of literature, was born on 2 nd March 1944 in Mirpur Khas, Sindh ( Now in ). He was only three years old when India was partitioned . Sindhis became strangers in their own land, and slowly started migrating from Sindh to India. Because of c arelessness of then leaders, there was no thought out plan to rehabilitate Sindhis in India. They were made to stay in various camps in pathetic conditions. About twelve lakh Sindhis migrated to India. They stayed in barracks which were originally made for army. Many i mmigra nts reached Bombay. S ome of them went to Gujarat and Saurashtra. Those who came by railway mostly stayed in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. For a long time they stayed in pitiable conditions. Sindhis who fought for independence, sacrifi ced all their possessions , gave up their motherland were made to live in deplorable state. Inheritors of five thousand years ancie nt civilization, educated, skil ful people w e re kept in dilapidated military barracks and were made to stay in inhuman conditio ns, where there was no provision for living a decent and civilized life. For daily chores the men folk had to relieve themselves in jungle, and ladies had to go to filthy army latrines and stand in long queues. Vasdev Mohi’s family had to suffer the sim illar situation. After partition, they arrived in Jodhpur. The family consisted of Va s dev’s father Vensimal and his brothers and their la dies and children. They stayed at Sardarpura area. That area was infested with scorpions. Sindhis there had to face the wrath of scorpions and bedbugs. Vasdev also suffered stings of scorpions several times. To get rid of scorpions, they shifted to 3 rd Road of Sardarpura. Father Vensimal, with Vasdev , shifted from Jodhpur to Ahmedabad to earn livelihood. They s tayed in a shop in Revdi Bazaar. Within a year their entire family shifted to Harjivan Chawl in Bu ng alow Area of Kubernagar . After a few years, they constructed their own house in Thak k ar Ba p a Nagar, and settled down comfortably. Vasdev was six or seven years old. He had a sharp mind. He wished to continue studies, but was not able to continue formal studies. He had wasted a few years studying in Hindi and Gujarati schools, as he could not understand both languages . Later he started

1 Vasdev Mohi – “Poetry Breaths” – Published in “SIPOON”, May - June 2014, – Page 33

Page 1 of 7 studying Sindhi. After facing several hardships Vasdev cleared Matric examination in the year 1963 . He wanted to be an engineer. With this aim in mind he sought admission in St. Xavier’s College. But, being an engineer was not his destiny. Due to financial hardships he could no t continue further education. While in school, Vasdev fell in love with Janki, niece of Arjan Hasid. During that period of courtship he indulged in poetry writing which was not full - grown. Later Janki became his life partner. His initial poetry is includ ed in his book “Drops became Rain”.

Today clouds have gathered Today rain will drip from eyes This is the height of pain, O God! When will you listen?

My tears are flowing, as if in race Who knows what will happen May there be one who can stop rain of tears Eyes keep dripping always Is there a cure for my aching heart? Is my heart going to suffer forever? 2 Hence it is said : You call me a poet But I only know this My heart is hurt My tears turned into songs

Because of Jan ki, Vasdev frequen tly visited Arjan Hasid 3 , who made him aware of finer aspects of poetry, taught him rhyme and metr e . He started attending literary meetings. Sahit Sangat meetings were held outside Jeevat Tarang on a platform. Hiro Shewkani, Nandl al , Bhagwan Nirdosh , Kishinchand Ranjayal, Ki rat Mahirchandani, Hansraj Punjabi and Prem Parkash used to attend those meetings. Later, Vasdev Mohi and Prem Parkash became well known in world of literature . Today also, this pair of litterateurs happens to be in forefront. F inancial condition of Vasdev remained unchanged. Destiny kept playing truant with him. But he did not give up. He kept fighting back. He grew up as a poor man ; but, he made his name as a thinker and writer. Probably, his circumstances made him an intellect ual.

My pain only put me on path to beloved Without pain, it is not proper to be with beloved (Shah Abdul Latif)

Vasdev Mohi got married to Janki in the year 1964. His desire to progress in life also continued. Mohi could not continue with formal studies. However, he went to Indore and appeared for Intermediate Examination as external student. In the year 1965 he started his career as a teacher. Soon, he got a job i n LIC. Prem Prakash also joined LIC. Prem and Mohi came closer to each other.

2 Vasdev Mohi – Boondoon Thiyoon Malhar – Editor M Miskeen – Publisher Tekchand Mast (About 1963) 3 Arjan Hasid – Famous Sindhi Poet specializing in writing Ghazals

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Being in Mohi served Sindhi literature in an exemplary way. When he became Convener of Sindhi Advisory Board of Sahitya Akademi in 2008, there was visible increase in literary activities. When he became part of Sahitya Akademi, he felt that had not received due recognition, as it should have received. This is because Sahitya Akade mi is not an organization which confers awards only. Sahitya Akademi is an institution meant for several other literary activities. Mohi strived a lot for advancement of Sindhi literature . I personally feel that Mohi was successful in achieving his goal. A t this juncture, I recall what Mohan Gehani said in his last send off meeting. “Hereafter, the new Convener is going to face lot many hardships. Mohi has taken large strides which may not be possible for others. It may be difficult for anyone to move so f ast to gather support and cooperation from officials of Sahitya Akademi” Dholan Rahi 4 , a noted poet and member Sindhi Advisory Board of Sahitya Akademi has written following words for Vasdev Mohi. “Looking at the report card of last five years of the achievements of Vasdev Mohi; one feels astonished and also feels happy and proud. His innovative and modern approach and administrative abilities not only impressed members of Sindhi Adviso ry Board but the members of boards of other languages were also overwhelmed. Members of Western Region listened with rapt attention to Vasdev Mohi and gave lot of importance to suggestions given by him.” Vasdev Mohi was also also appointed as convener of j oint board of western region comprising of Sindhi, Gujarati, Marathi and Konkani languages. He put in lot of efforts for development of all four languages. Looking at the work of earlier people, one feels envy at the speed with which he worked. One feels h appy and astonished. One more point which needs to be noted he made people of every age to take part in activities of Sahitya Akademi. He brought writers who were forgotten for a long time into prominence and brought them to the main stream of literature. A fter expiry of his term as convener, Vasdev Mohi handed over the baton to his old friend Prem Prakash; and he himself went behind wings . In life of Vadev Mohi, struggle continued. Literary activities also continued, and his job with LIC also continued. He never gave up his studies. In the year 1973 Vasdev Mohi obtained M.A degree in English Literature from Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. His circumstances changed. Bhagwan , Mohi’s younger brother, started a poultry farm in Nak o l Village. Bhagwan was connec ted to Mohi and his entire family in one or the other form. Bhagwan fell in love and gave up work of poultry farm. The responsibility fell upon Mohi. Pou l try farm and poetry were poles apart. But, there was no way out. Mohi could not go against wishes of Bhagwan. Mohi was also a casualty of love marriage. Against his wishes, he resigned from LIC job and started looking after poultry farm. But, birds of poultry could not appreciate poetry of Mohi. . His financial condition went on deteriorating. However, he had full support of his family. He sold his home at Thakkar Ba p a Nagar and occupied a rented house. Later, Mohi’s experience proved to be helpful in his literary pursuits. Simplicity of the villagers impressed him a lot. At the same time, the force of cir cumstances and poverty made him suffer too. Several poems of Mohi were composed during that difficult period and appeared as book “ MANKOO ” in the year 1992. Several scenes of the village Nak o l are depicted in poetry in the book “ MANKOO ”. MANKOO happens to be a poor man, whose character has been woven into the poetry as waft and weft.

I unfold the old garb Respectfully Again I fold it back

4 Dholan Rahi – Sahitya Akademi and Vasdev Mohi – SIPOON – October December 2012 – Page 30.

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My father used to put on this garb How nice he looked Its colour was beautiful Which was that colour? Blo ody brain works not Out of colour of the patches , one was the colour of garb But, it is very comfortable In such cold One may freeze And become ice cream What is ice cream? It will be better if someone comes If I get a match box Fire may be lit How wonderful it will be I will feel good in warmth I will request the boss With a baton and torch provide a match box too For care taking But will boss give that ? Will he not beat 5

In his book ‘ MANKOO ’ Vasdev Mohi says “Through the character of MANKOO , smal l pleasures of villagers are seen. Besides this what is seen is the huge insults, problems of the people of the village. This poetry is such that it does not conf o rm to any established trends of poetry. There is no decor . The language is not flowery. E moti ons are cool; imagination is down to the earth . In the book ‘ MANKOO ’ the poet has uncovered his inner feelings. This is the reason Wordsworth says “Poetry is spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. It takes its origin from emotions recollected in tranquility.

Vasdev Mohi started his career in literature in the year 1963 with a romantic Ghazal .

Sorrowful eyes, someone may see Sudden flutter in hear t , someone may see

They are eager to rob us But my robbing me , someone may see

What one wants to say know not Stammering of lips, someone may see

It i s an illusion or it is love Baseless talking and smiling, someone may see

O Mohi! They came back after anger Getting angry and again making up, someone may see

5 From Book ‘ MANKOO ’ – Pages 6 and 7

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In the year 19 6 5 he started flirting with modern poetry, like many others 6 . It is said “Flowing water is good – Walking Hermit is good”. Thus, for an intelligent and a versatile artist to remain at one place is harmful. In changing times and circumstances a clever person has to make amends to his thought process. Literature is heartbeat of the society, because it depicts the emotions, sorrows and happiness of the society. A writer may be absorbed in his own thoughts, but he can’t remain aloof of what is happening around h im. One era is different from another era. It is natural that the literature also adopts itself to the change s in the society. Changing conditions bring changes in the mind of the poet. This is how the new form of literature is born. Modern poetry is so v ery different from the traditional poetry in connection with subject matter, language, metaphor, and its construction; that some people refused to accept it as poetry. But now new poetry has established itself as a strong and sustaining part of modern lite rature. Vasdev Mohi’s first collection of Modern Poetry (Azad Nazam) with the title “ Tazaad ” was published in the year 197 6 . It is well known that after P artition Sindhis had to face lot of hardships and ha d to pass through difficult times. Vasdev Mohi a lso had to face many hardships. His was a love marriage and he had become a father too. But, financially he was not well off. Mohi set sail to go to Dubai. His brothers P u rushotam and Kishan and his cousins were already in Dubai. Moti Prakash was also the re who was principal of famous Indian High School. Vasdev Mohi had obtained M.A degree in literature from Gujarat University. He easily got job of teacher. Vasdev Mohi started teaching in Dubai in the year 1987. Dubai became another India for him. Vasdev Mohi liked the a tmosphere in Dubai. He excelled as a writer. He became very busy at the same time. He was engage d in his job, tuitions at home and literary activities kept him very busy. In Dubai he received readymade atmosphere suitable for literary activities. Moti Prakash , Kala Prakash , Sadaf, Gope Kamal, Mohan Gehani, Goverdhan ‘Ghayal’ were already in Dubai and nurturing Sindhi literature. With Vasdev Mohi in Dubai literary activities became more active. After re aching Dubai, Vadev Mohi started monthly Literary Meet . Several meetings used to be held for poetry recitation. Mohi was living with his brother Kishin in Dubai. Kishin was a businessman and had no interest in literature. However, he looked after the litte rateurs very well when ever there was a literary meeting at his home. Dubai - Deira are twin cities, they have gulf of sea in between . Vasdev Mohi had to travel by boat for tuitions. He loved sea very much. He saw sea in two ways, one as loveable and anothe r as fearful . Once he fell in to the sea and was saved in nick of time by someone in the boat . Vasdev Mohi has depicted sea in a poem on page 31 from his book “Straw in Beak” (2001).

Day and night, both belong to Him Sun appears as a Tilak 7 on forehead of sea

Talking of mirage is meaningless If deer jumps across the sea

Crack in breaths, limbs shiver When boat cuts through sea water

6 Sindhi Times – March 1969 7 Tilak – Sacred vermilion mark on forehead of Hindus

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Vasdev Mohi was blessed with two children, daughter named Neetu and son Sunil. His wife Janki always remained his pillar strength. Mohi had to pass through lot many hardships, but he never accepted defeat. He only kn e w how to go ahead. Mohi’s daughter Neetu fell in love with a Muslim boy named Nadeem, and married him secretly. When th is matter came to light, Mohi rema ined in total control. He neither lamented nor cursed as ordinary man would have done. He gracefully accepted the marriage. Such is nature of Mohi. Mohi’s daughter got married and got settled happily. But his son lost his life in prime of his youth. He ha d married only a few months ago. Mohi was in Dubai and his sick son was in Ahmedabad. Mohi says in his own words, “I boarded the airplane. I reached hospital in the morning. By that time Sunil’s condition had worsened. Medicos were trying to put him on ven tilator. He was pushing away the tube again and again. I kept staring only in maze. He could not speak till end because there was tube in his mouth . I saw my son slipping away breath by breath.” Mohi passed through such horrifyi ng happenings in his life ti me. This incidence is of the year 2003. Mohi remained calm and was in full control of his life. He had learnt to live in adverse conditions too. He thought: Your are pilgrim, I am pilgrim We came from netherworld As tourist only Our job is to see and look around Doesn’t befit crying over something Tourist only travels Be it desert, be it town

Mohi writes, “Since my childhood, I had learnt to sprinkle vermilion over my sorrows to make them look colourful. In poverty I showed my lips to be shining. I turned my dark nights into Diwali.” After death of his son, parents of his daughter - in - law came. He allowed her to go with her parents and told them, “Don’t let her remain a widow. Get her married.” Mohi accepted the death of his son gracefully, as ‘Lord’s Will’ and went back to Dubai. His motto was ‘the show must go on’ and for him work was worship. He got busy with his work trying to get over his sorrows. Mohi continued with his literary activities. Pictures of his personal life peep through his writings of th at duration. His prominent books after ‘ Tazaad ’ are “Where is the Morn ?” (1983), “ M ankoo ” (1992), “Made of Ice” (1996). “Made of Ice” received S a hitya Akademi Award for the year 1999. In 2001 his book “Straw in the Beak” was published, after returning back from Dubai his book “ Dust on rail track ” was published in 2009. Mohi retired from Indian High School in 2004, returned to his home town Ahmedabad. At Ahmedabad he got himself busy with literary activities. In this endeavo u r, Prem Prakash also joined him . Mohi kept him self busy with literary work to divert his mind from problems of his personal life. In 2008 Mohi became actively involved with Sahitya Akademi. He achieved a lot during his tenure in Sahitya Akademi. He stressed upon translation of Sindhi li terary works into English to bring Sindhi at the international platform. He loves his dreams. He says, “I consider poetry, dreams and seeds are one and same. All the three depict growth. There is no limit for growth. Seed germinates and travels towards sky . Poetry and dreams are also like that. Only condition is that all these are firmly planted upon the reality of Mother Earth. Roots have to be in soil. In Mohi’s book “Straw in the Beak” there is a poem “Li ving ” in which he says as follows.

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I like langua ges But love three English; which is my livelihood Hindi; which connects me to Nation And Sindhi; that gives me dreams

Today, Mohi has dedicated himself to Sindhi Language and Sindhi Literature. He keeps travelling across the country to attend literary meetings and seminars. He is attached to Sahitya Akademi, National Council of Promotion of Sindhi Language, Delhi A cademy and other government and non - governm ent associations and organizations. Development of literature mean s all to him. He thinks of development of Sindhi, day and night; sleeping or awake. He says, “I am totally dedicated to literature. I approach a literary creation just as one goes to a temp le. Creating literature is like travel of my heart , mind and body. My creations are not made by sitting in a chair and at a table; but these are created while I am travelling.” He further writes, “In the process of creation I consider God to be the greates t creator. Just look at the beauty of a tiny butterfly; look at its fluttering wings; colours of its wings; its art of sucking nectar from the flowers; all these are so very beautiful. Probably God had forgotten his creation after completing the creation. He has provided inbuilt ability to recycle everything created , creation is going on from time immemorial. Leaves fall, and again they grow. We may be able to point out several mistakes made by God. But, making mistakes is also enjoyable. I am in direct com petition with God. If I am able to chisel snow or make some impressions upon the rock, I will think that I have achieved something. I consider daylight as full of life while light of the bulb is lifeless. I strive to draw sunlight from the well which is vi sible at the bottom of the well. Still several more creations are in the making; still there are ma n y clouds that have yet to rain .”

His journey of l ife goes on …

( Translation of the First chapter of Dr Jagdish Lachhani’s book on Life and Work of Vasdev Mohi ) Translated from Sindhi by Ram Daryani

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