Popati Hiranandani (17 September 1924 – 16 December 2005) was an Indian writer who authored more than sixty books in Sindhi language during her life. She was an essayist, fiction writer, poet, educationist, feminist and social activist. She made significant contributions to Sindhi literature before and after the partition of India.[1] She won several awards including the Sahitya Akademi Award (1982), Woman of the Year Award (1988), and the Gaurav Puraskar (1990) among others.
Biography
She was born on 17 September 1924 in a Hindu Amil family of Hyderabad, Sindh.[2] Her father Ramchand Hiranandani was a forest officer. She was the second eldest of seven children, and lost her father at the age of ten.[3] She studied at Kundan Mal High School and Miran College Hyderabad. In order to support her family, she joined as a music teacher at Kundan Mal High School and Pigit Girls School Hyderabad, while continuing her studies simultaneously.[4] After graduating from Banaras Hindu University in 1943 with a distinction in Sanskrit, she began teaching languages and literature.[5] She retired as chairperson of Sindhi Department of Kishinchand Chellaram College, Bombay (now Mumbai).[6] During the last years of her service at this college, she also taught and supervised postgraduate students of the Bombay University.[4]
In 1970, she was nominated as a member of a panel of advisors of the Audition Committee of All India Radio, Bombay.[citation needed] In the same year, she was nominated as a member of the Advisory Board for Sindhi, Ministry of Education, Government of India.[7] In 1972, she was selected as a member of Sahitya Akademi's Advisory Board for Sindhi. In 1974, she served as Secretary of All India Sindhi Language and Literary Association. In 1977, she was a member of the selection committee for Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terminology and in 1979 as a member of the selection committee of the Union Public Service Commission. In 1988, she was the convener of the Sahitya Akademi's Advisory Board.[8]
Books
She authored more than 60 books which include short stories, novels, poems, criticism, essays, autobiography and translations. They include:[9][1][10][11]
Aziz Shaksu Ain Alim, 1980, Criticism
Belong to a Land, 1991, Poems
Bhasha Shastra, 1962, Philology
Bharat Ji Istri, 1963
Boli Muhinji Mau, 1977, Essays
Churan Chimkan Chit Men, 1971, Essays
Hasratun Ji Turbat, 1961, Novel
Hiku Pushup Pundhram Pankhriyun, 1962, Essays
History of Post Independence Sindhi literature, 1984
Hut Tawheen Hit Aseen, 1988, Short Stories
Jia Men Jhori, Tan Men Taat, 1968, Short Stories
Kabir, 1989, Translation
Kali Gulab Ji Sagar Sharab Jo, 1967, Short Stories
Khizan jo Daur Pooro Thiyo, 1976, Short Stories
Learn Sindhi Within 10 Days, 1984
Maan Chha Ahiyan, 1965
Man Sindhin, 1988, Poems
Manik Moti Lal, 1993, Biography
Manju, 1950, Novel
Muhinjay Hayatia Ja Sona Rupa Warq, 1980, Autobiography
Padmini, 1984
Pukar, 1953, Short Stories
Rageen Zamanay Joon Ghamgheen Kahaniyoon, 1953, Short Stories
Ruha Sandhi Ranjh, 1975, Poems
Shahnaz, 1983, Short Stories
Sailab Zingia Jo, 1980, Novel
Shah Sindhi Tahzeeb Jo Rooh, 1983, Latifyat
Shrimad Bhagvad, 1980, Translation
Sindhi Boli, 1981, Philology
Sindhi Muslman Kaviyun Ji Hindi Kavita, 1982
Sindhi Sahitya Ji Jhalak, 1967
Sindhi Shadi, 1988
Sindhis the Scattered Treasurer, 1980
Tanqeedi Mazmoon, 1985, Criticism
Vivekanand Jeevani, 1963, Translation
Zindah Sa Qaum Rahandi, Essays, 1976
Zindagia Ji Photri (1933)
Zindagi Na Kavita Na Kahani, 1984, Short Stories
Books on Popati Hiranandani
Following two books have been written on life and literary contributions of Popti Hiranandani:
Popati Hiranandani Shakhsiyat ain Sanman Parcho, Koonj Publications, Bombay, 1975
