Harji Lavji Damani
Harji Lavji Damani, better known by his pen name Shayda, 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. Biography. Damani was born on 24 October 1892 in Pipli, a village near Dhandhuka, Gujarat to Lavjibhai and Santokbahen. His family belonged to the Khoja Shia Ishna Asheri community. He studied until the fourth year. In 1912, one of his poems appeared in print for the first time in "Bombay Samachar". Subsequently , he started writing ghazals (traditional songs), novels, short stories and plays, including "Kumali Kali", which be both wrote and directed. He was the founding editor of the Gujarati weekly magazine "Be Ghadi Moj" (first issue, 17 August 1924) which established Gujarati ghazal as an independent genre from Urdu ghazal. It closed its publication in 1953. He also served as a subeditor of "Ghazal", a Gujarati poetry magazine. He died on 31 May 1962 in 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". 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 a mother for her children. Some of his novels dealt with typical communal problems. His well-known novel on this theme "Amaanat" was published posthumously. Another tragic novel "Masuma" described the problems of Islamic culture and religion. "Pankhadio" (1938), "Amizarana", "Kerini Mosam Ane Biji  Vaato" are his story collections. He wrote several plays: "Sansarnauka" (1921) and "Karmaprabhav" (1922) were produced by Parsi Imperial Natak Mandali; "Vasant Veena" (1927) produced by Deshi Natak Samaj; "Kumali Kali" (1926) and "Narihriday" (1945) produced by Mumbai Gujarati Natak Mandali. His modern play "Amar Jyot" (1956) was performed in Ahmedabad. His other plays include "Pujaar" and "Koiknu Mindhal Koina Hathe". His story "Vanzari Vaav" was adapted into the Gujarati film "Kariyavar" (1977), directed by Chandrakant Sangani. Recognition. Shayda was felicitated in Mumbai on 15 April 1957 with an award of Rs. 7000. A road in Mumbai was named after  him as Shayda Road in 1968. In his remembrance, the Indian National Theater gives Shayda Award to a young Gujarati ghazal poet every year.