| Bherumal Meharchand Advani | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1875 or 1876 Hyderabad, Bombay Presidency, British India (Now Pakistan) |
| Died | 7 July 1950 (aged 74-75) Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Occupation | Scholar, linguist, researcher, historian, poet |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | Union Academy Hyderabad, Sindh. |
| Genre | Prose, poetry |
Bherumal Meharchand Advani (1875/76 – 7 July 1950) was a Sindhi poet, prose writer and scholar. Renowned for his multifaceted contributions, he excelled as an educationist, novelist, linguist, and historian. He authored over 40 books.
Biography
He was born in Hyderabad, Sindh, which is now part of Pakistan. The exact date and even the year of his birth remain uncertain. It is believed to be either 1875 or 1876. His father's name was Meharchand Advani. He studied at Mission School and Union Academy Hyderabad. The Union Academy, founded by Sadhu Navalrai and Hiranand Shaukiram on October 28, 1888, aimed to provide religious instruction, promote the study of Sanskrit, and foster the character development of the younger generation. At the Union Academy, he learned the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai from renowned scholars Sadhu Hiranand and Tarachand Shaukiram.
He entered into three marriages during his lifetime. From his first wife, he did not have any children. However, from his second marriage, he had one son and one daughter. Additionally, from his third marriage, he had two daughters.
He began his career as a Distillery Inspector in the Salt Department located in Kotri, Sindh. He dedicated 28 years of his life to this department. In 1925, he was appointed as a Sindhi lecturer at D.J. Sindh College in Karachi. Subsequently, he held the position of Chairman of the Sindhi Department at the same college. In 1949, he relocated to India and resided in Pune until his passing on July 7, 1950.
Renowned Indian writer Hiro Thakur has authored a book detailing his life, achievements, and contributions.
Contributions
He has authored more than 40 books. Some of his most popular books are listed below. A complete list can be found elsewhere.
Dramas/stories
Some of his drama and stories include:
- Ali Baba aeen Chaleeha Chora (Ali Baba and Forty Thieves), drama, 1903
- Anand Sunrika, novel, 1910
- Azadeea ji Kodi, translated novel
- Bazaziun Jo Natak (Drama of cloth venders), drama, 1921
- Bulbul Beemar (Sick Nightingale), drama, 1902
- Golan Ja Goondar, translated novel, 1926
- Gopi Chand, novel
- Hiris Jo Shikar (Greedy), translation of Shakespeare's King John, 1916
- Mohni Bai, novel
- Muris ji Mursi, drama, 1925
- Tilsam, translated novel, 1927
- Varial aeen Naimat (Varial and Naimat), novel, 1910
- Wado Pangati Muqadmu (Great Social Trial), drama 1925
History
His most popular books on history include:
- Amilan jo Ahwal (A History of the Amils)
- Hindustan Ji Tareekh (A History of India), 1909
- Qadeem Sindh (Ancient Sindh), 1944
- Sindh jay Hinduan ji Tareekh (History of Sindhi Hindus), Part I & II 1946 & 1947
- Sodhan ji Sahibi or Ranan Jo Raj (Rule of Sodhas and Reign of Ranas), 1924
Linguistic
He was a lover of Sindhi language, grammar and social sciences. He was also well versed in Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian. As a language expert and grammarian, he authored many books including the following:
- Alif Bay Keenan Thahi (How did alphabet come into being), 1925
- Ghareeb-ul-Lughat (Dictionary of Sindhi), 1907
- Gulqand - Part I & II 1940 & 1945
- Pahakan Ji Peerih
- Rītun ain Rasman jo buniyādu (Origin of Rituals and Customs)
- Sindhi Boli (Sindhi Language), 1925
- Sindhi Bolia Ji Tareekh (History of Sindhi Language)
- Wado Sindhi Waya Karan (Advanced Sindhi Grammar), 1925
Poetry
He adopted the name "Gharib" (Humble) in his poetry. His poetic works can be classified into two categories: those intended for children and those for adults. In 1926, he published a poetry collection titled "Gulzar-e-Nazem" (Garden of Poetry), specifically aimed at children.
Latifiyat
He was a master of the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, the greatest Sufi poet of Sindh. One of his masterpieces is the book titled "Latifi Sair" (Latif's Travel, 1929), in which he vividly depicted Shah Latif's journey to Hinglaj, Girnar, and Thar. Additionally, he has authored other books on the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, including:
- Bhitai Ghot
- Gurbukshania varo Shah jo Risalo
- Sur Sorath
Other books
Advani authored and compiled a number of other books which include the following:
- Bahar-e-Naser
- Chund Kalam: Shah, Sami, Sachal, Dilpat, Bedil, Bekus, Ruhal ain Deewan-i Gulaman Cunda
- Dey ain Wath
- Gulzar-e-Naser: Selection from modern prose
- Mahan-jo-Daro, one of the most ancient sites of the East which has aroused world-wide interest
- Sindh ain Sindhi
- Sindh Jo Sailani
References
- Memon, Muhammad Saleem (2017). "ڪاڪو ڀيرومل مهرچند آڏواڻي (سنڌي ادب جو هڪ وساريل ورق)" (PDF). Kalachi Research Journal. 20 (2). Karachi University: 45–56.
- Prem, Dr Hidayat (2007). سنڌي ٻوليءَ جا محقق ۽ انهن جي تحقيق (Sindhi Language Researchers and their Research). Hyderabad: Sindhi Language Authority. p. 5.
- Allana, Dr Ghulam Ali (1977). سنڌي نثر جي تاريخ. Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan: Zeb Adabi Markaz. p. 186.
- ^ Datta, Amaresh (1988). Encyclopedia of Indian Literature. New Delhi: South Asia Books. pp. 86–87. ISBN 978-8172016494.
- ^ Hakro, Anwer Figar (2001). "غريب جي سخنوري (ڀيرومل مهرچند آڏواڻيءَ جي شاعري)". Mehran. 51 (3&4). Sindhi Adabi Board: 11.
- Girami, Ghulam Muhammad (1977). Bherumal Maherchand Advani. In ويا سي وينجهار. Jamshoro, Sindh: Sindhi Adabi Board. p. 02.
- ^ Thakur, Hiro (1990). Bherumal Maherchand, Sindhi Writer. New Delhi, India: Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 8172010389.
- "Amilan-jo-Ahwal (A history of the Amils)". www.saibaba-fund.org. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- Advani, Bherumal Maherchand (2004). قديم سنڌ (The Ancient Sindh). Jamshoro: Sindhi Adabi Board.
- Das, Sisir Kumar (2006); History of Indian Literature: 1911-1956, pp. 803, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi
- Pirzado, Anwer (2009). Sindhi Language and Literature - A Brief Account. Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan: Sindhi Language Authority. p. 33.
- Advani, Bherumal Maherchand (1931). Gulqandu : Sindhī pahāk̄ā ʻain iṣt̤alāḥ samjhāṇīʼa sametu. Karachi, Sindh. OCLC 500014044.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Ād̤vāṇī, Bherūmalu Mahircand (1918). Rītun ʻain rasman jo buniyādu (in Sindhi). Bherumal Meharchand Advani.
- Advani, Bherumal Maherchand (1956). Sindhī b̤olī unna jī tārīk̲h̲. Hyderabad: Sindhi Adabi Board. pp. 354 pages. OCLC 498751990.
- Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archive Department. Culture, Tourism & Antiquities Department | Book | لطيفي سئر. Government of Sindh.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Advani, Bherumal Maherchand (1995). Gurbukshania varo Shah jo Risalo Unknown Binding. Roshni Publication.
- "Bahār-i nas̲aru = choicest selections from modern prose / muʾallifu, Bherūmalu Mahircandu Ād̤vāṇī. - British Library". explore.bl.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- Advani, Bherumal Maherchand (1928). Cunḍa kalām : Shāhu, Sāmī, Saccalu, Dilpatu, Bedil Bekasu, Rūḥalu ʻain Dīvān-i Gula mān cunḍa. Karachi, Sindh. pp. 96 pages. OCLC 499756004.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - "D̤e ʿain vaṭhu / ṭhāhiyalu, Bherūmalu Maharcandu Ād̤vāṇī. - British Library". explore.bl.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- Advani, B.M. (1929). Gulzār-i nas̲aru : choicest selections from modern prose. Karachi, Sindh. OCLC 499740269.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Advani, Behumal Maherchand (1933). Mahan-jo-Daro, one of the most ancient sites of the East which has aroused world-wide interest. pp. 93 pages.
- "Sindhu ʿain Sindhī / Bherūmalu Mahircand Ād̤vāṇī. - British Library". explore.bl.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- "Sindhu jo selānī / muṣannifu, Bherūmalu Mahircandu. Phāṅo pahriyon. - British Library". explore.bl.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2020.