The Sindhi From Larkana, Sindh – Shri Murli Bhojwani

Shri Murlidhar Bhojwani, based in Baroda, Gujarat, wears numerous hats for the revival and promotion of Sindhi culture and language. Sindhi, along with Sanskrit and Urdu, is a language that has no state in India. Hence, in 1994, the Government of India established an organization, the National Council for Promotion of Sindhi Language (NCPSL), under the Department of Higher Education, to promote the language. The organisation provides funds to compensate the teachers who work towards teaching the Sindhi language. Shri Murlidhar Bhojwani is closely associated with NCPSL and organises the Sindhi learning classes with a team of teachers in the entire state of Gujarat.

He is also a film and theatre personality who specializes in Sindhi films and plays as well as Sindhi folk dances such as Bhagat and Chej. He organizes and participates in every activity that helps to further the Sindhi community. 

A list of his numerous activities follows at the end of the article.

Dr. Jetho Lalwani, a prominent Sindhi writer who has worked tirelessly for the Sindhis and Sindhiyat, and the mentor of Shri Murli Bhojwani has written the following about him:

“Shri Murlidhar Bhojwani is a significant name among those who have dedicated their lives to promoting Sindhi language, literature, culture and theatre. His major life goal is to instill in the younger generation a sense of pride for their Sindhi culture and literature, to train them in Sindhi performing arts and to connect them to their Sindhi heritage.

His every act and work is directed towards fulfilling this life goal. He has trained himself in workshops on Sindhi drama and Sindhi Bhagat dance performances and has attended many seminars on performing arts. He has in turn given back his knowledge to other eager learners of arts. He has remained a major force behind every Sindhi social and cultural event of Baroda. 

Born on 27th June 1954, Shri Murli completed Old Matric in Sindhi Medium and in 1978, got a Diploma in Drama from M.S. University, Baroda. He knows Sindhi, Gujarati, Hindi and English languages. He joined Akashvani Ahmedabad-Baroda as a professional theatre actor in 1982.     

Shri Murli, apart from being an actor, is a good human being and an excellent organiser. He works with dedication for a good cause without any vested interest or expectations. He has performed in Sindhi and Gujarati plays. He has also acted in Gujarati films.

His popular plays are Dinh ja Sapna (Day Dreams), Chor Chor (Thief, Thief ), Hee Pyaso Man Muhinjo (This Thirsty Heart of Mine), Wanted, Leela Chanesar (Based on one of the Sindhi folk stories of Leela Chanesar), Suriya Sad Kayo ( Suriya Called), Amma Ma Moti Indhus ( Mother, I Will Return), Hemu Kalani (Based on the Sindhi Freedom Fighter, Hemu Kalani), Top Secret, Ma Tayeeaar Ahiya( I Am Ready), Interview, Paritran (a Gujarati play), Parka Baira Saune Game ( Everybody Likes Other’s Wife- a Gujarati play), Ame Ramakda Ram Na ( We Are toys in The Hands of God- a Gujarati movie) and others. He has received awards for best acting and production of plays.

Shri Murli has raised many literary, cultural and social organisations from local to national levels. He organised Drama and Bhagat performance workshops every year from 1996 to 2005 and groomed many Sindhi as well as non-Sindhi artists.” 

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PIC 1 : SHRI BHOJWANI (LEFT) AT DARBAR SANT SATRAM DHAM, RIHIDKI, SINDH WITH FRIENDS

PIC 2: AT SAIN VASAN SHAH DARBAR, ROHRI, SINDH

Here is Shri Murlidhar’s account of his family in Larkana, Sindh before the partition and his life after the partition of India.

My Paternal Grandfather

“My grandparents, Mukhi Thakurdas Bhojwani and Shrimati Bhagwani Thakurdas, lived in Larkana, Sindh before the partition of India. They owned lands and had a cloth business too. My grandfather worked 4-5 hours a day in the shop and spent the rest of the time serving the poor and the needy.

My grandfather was the Mukhi (head) of the Larkana Sindhi Panchayat for years. All the social disputes would be presented before him to be solved. His leadership qualities are now inherent in us. 

My grandfather and father lived a simple life. They woke up early around 5 am, exercised every day and ate a simple meal. They always strove to lead a simple existence and advised us to do the same.”

My Visit to Larkana, Sindh

“I went to Larkana in 2012. I met an old man there who asked me where my ancestors were from. When I mentioned the name of my grandfather, he was thrilled to meet me and hugged me. He knew my grandfather and my father, Shri Chetan Thakurdas Bhojwani, and remembered their contribution to the people of Larkana. I realized how lucky I was that my family was still remembered in Sindh because of their social service.  

I enjoyed seeing Sev Bazaar and Bolas Baugh at Larkana which were the places mentioned by my grandparents.

My maternal grandparents were also from Larkana. My Nana (maternal grandfather) had a hotel (restaurant) named Tufaan Mail, famous for its tea and Sindhi snacks. I checked it out on my visit to Larkana, and now it is named Al Medina hotel. 

I went to have tea there. In earlier days, there would be a slab of marble in the hotel with the name of the owner inscribed on it. I was very happy to see the marble slab with the name Seth Gerimal Sadhumal Ahuja inscribed on it. I went to the cash counter and told the owner that Shri Gerimal Sadhumal Ahuja was my Nana. He got up from his place, hugged me and insisted I sit on his chair for a few minutes. He said,” we are fortunate that your family gave us this hotel. We did not have enough sense to start this place on our own. I worked for your grandfather and he left this hotel for me to run during the partition of India.” He was singing praises of my grandfather.”

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PIC 1: AT SADH BELO, SUKKUR, SINDH PIC 2: AT MIRPUR MATHELO RAILWAY STATION, SINDH

A Family Anecdote

“I would like to tell you about an incident that occurred in our family. My grandfather had had a major fight with his cousin, Shri Somandas, in Larkana, before the partition. They parted ways due to the fracas and after partition did not keep any contact with each other. Years later, after my father passed away, Shri Somandas, came looking for us and found us in Baroda. He was happy to see me and my family and invited us to Ulhasnagar, Mumbai, where he had settled post-partition. I had the opportunity to go to Ulhasnagar sometime later and visited him with my mother and my family. Shri Somadas gave us so much love. His family was hospitable and fed us a sumptuous meal and also gave all of us a kharchi ( a Sindhi custom of giving money to younger ones as a token of love, usually when they come visiting or during festivals). A couple of days after I returned home, I received the news that Shri Somandas was no more. This saddened me, but I was happy in the knowledge that I met him and his family before he died. When my paternal uncle learned of me having met him, he was furious that I was in touch with a person who had insulted his father. I tried explaining that one should forget the past and move on. But he was not to be placated and severed all ties with me. The point I am trying to make here is that people of earlier times hated with as much passion as they loved.”

PIC 1: AT KARACHI BEACH WITH FRIENDS PIC2: AT SWAMI DHRAMDAS DARBAR, LARKANA,SINDH

An Actor and a Promoter of Sindhi Language

“I have produced, directed and acted in many good Sindhi dramas. But the one who sowed the seed of acting in my mind was my grandfather. When I was in 4th or 5th standard, he would encourage me to act out different characters such as how a rich man or a poor man walked. He would also act it out for me. When I grew up, I performed in many Sindhi plays which were enacted in Gujarat and Mumbai. 

Now, the drama scene has cooled down. The younger generation is no longer interested in performing plays as it requires a lot of hard work, consistent practice and rehearsals for 2-3 months.

The Government of India, the Gujarat State Government and sometimes the social organisations give funds for promoting the Sindhi language and culture. “

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PIC: WITH FAMOUS PAKISTANI SINGER SHAMAN ALI MIRANI (CENTRE) AND FRIEND, HARESH AGANANI (RIGHT)

My Final Wish

“ Hey Muhinja Sain, mukhe biye janam mein Sindhi je ghar mein hee janam dijaye. Par muhinja karm insaan bananje layak kon aheen. Mukhe kutto, billi, janwar ya pakhi je jun mein janam mile tho te muhijo maalik Sindhi zaroor dijaye. Ghat mein ghat hoo Sindhi galhaindho, maa Sindhi budhandus ta sahi.”

Translation: “ Hey My Sain (God), let me be born in a Sindhi house in my next birth. I know I do not merit the birth of a human. If I am reborn as a dog, cat, any animal or bird, then let my master be a Sindhi. At least when he speaks Sindhi, I’ll be able to hear it.”

The above account of Shri Bhojwani shows his humility and dedication towards his community.

His activities for the Sindhi community are too many to enumerate, but here is a list of a few of those which he organises:

1. Sindhi learning classes in the entire state of Gujarat on behalf of NCPSL.

2. Children’s camps for teaching Indian values

3. Sindhi heritage workshops

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4. Release Sindhi films in and around Baroda for the younger generation of Sindhis.

5. Workshops to train children under 12 in Sindhi folk dances such as Bhagat and Chej.

6. Publish books of upcoming Sindhi authors.

7. Drama competitions at the city, state and national levels to promote Sindhi plays.

8. Workshops and competitions to encourage new talent to come up with Sindhi stories, plays, poetry, etc.

9. Programs to celebrate birth anniversaries and observe death anniversaries of prominent Sindhi artists. 

10. Cultural tours for young Sindhis to Dholavira-Lothal-Indian Institute of Sindhology, Adipur to instill a sense of pride for their Sindhi heritage. 

Personal Account of Shri Murlidhar Bhojwani

Pics: Personal Collection of Shri Bhojwani

Jyoti Mulchandani 

Ahmedabad