Native name હરજી લવજી દામાણી Education Standard 4 | Pen name Shayda Nationality Indian | |
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Occupation poet, story writer, novelis, playwright, editor | ||
Harji Lavji Damani (Gujarati: હરજી લવજી દામાણી), better known by his pen name Shayda (Gujarati: શયદા), was a Gujarati language poet, novelist, short-story writer and playwright from Gujarat, India. He is known as Ghazal Samrat, the king of ghazal poetry, as he established the Gujarati ghazal form in Gujarati literature.
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Life
Shayda was born on 24 October 1892 in Pipli, a village near Dhandhuka, Gujarat to Lavjibhai and Santokbahen. His family belonged to Khoja Shia Ishna Asheri community. He studied till fourth standard. In 1912, his poem appeared for the first time in Bombay Samachar. Subsequently, he started writing ghazals, novels, short stories and plays. Kumali Kali was one of his acclaimed play written and directed by him. He was a founder-editor of the Gujarati weekly magazine Be Ghadi Moj (1924) which established Gujarati ghazal as an independent genre from Urdu ghazal. He had also served as a subeditor of Ghazal, a Gujarati poetry magazine. He died on 31 May 1962 at Mumbai.
Works
Shayda means 'mad with love' in Urdu.
His works on Gujarati poetry and ghazals include Jay Bharati (1963), Gulzare-Shayri-Shayda (1961), Dipak Na Phool (1965), Chita (1968) and Ashru Chalya Jaay Che (1999). Jay Bharati is a long narrative poem, composed in Dalpatram-style. His novels include Maa Te Maa (1-2), Amina, Chhelli Roshani (1-2), Bahadurshah Zafar (1-2), Azadini Shama (1-2), Khamma Bhaine (1-2), Dukhiyari, Chandani Raat, Mumataz, Saundaryapuja, Navo Sansar, Jamaanani Zalak, Layla, Bhardariye, Andhari Raat (1-2), Senthima Sindur (1-2), Amanat (1-2), Saabira (1-2), Moti Bhabhi, Vanzari Vaav, Virhaak (1-2), Jyoti Toran, Betho Balavo, Lakshminandan, Dr.Anupam, Shamshire Arab (1-2), Punit Ganga, Lakheni Laaj (1-2), Jivata Soor, Nani Nanadi, Aag Ane Ajavala, Shahzadi Kashmira, Raajahans (1-2), Soorsamadhi (1-2), Dev Dulari (1-2), Hamida, Mayanu Man, Rajeshvari, Raajaba, Anavari, Masooma and Doshiza. Amarjyot (1956), Sansarnauka, Karmprabhav, Vasantvina, Kumali Kali, Narihraday, Pujaar, Koiknu Mindhal Koina Hathe are his plays while Pankhadio (1938), Amizarana, Kerini Mosam Ane Biji Vaato are his story collections. His novels deal with social and historical themes. The most famous among his social novels are Maa Te Maa and Moti Bhabhi. Maa Te Maa is tragic story of love and sacrifice of mother for her children. Some of his novel deal with typical communal problems. His well known novel on this theme Amaanat published posthumously. Another tragic novel Masuma describe the problems of Islamic culture and religion.
Shayda Award
In his remembrance, the Indian National Theater, Mumbai gives Shayda Award to the young Gujarati ghazal poet annually.