Shailesh Matiyani
Encyclopedia
Ramesh Singh Matiyani 'Shailesh', popularly known as Shailesh Matiyani (October 14, 1931 - April 24, 2001), is a Hindi
writer, poet, essayist from Uttarakhand
.
He became most known for his short stories, depicting the struggles and the fighting spirit of the Indian lower and lower-middle class, which he embodied himself and expressed through his writings all through his life, and which gave him the title - People’s Writer or ‘Jankathakar’ (जनकथाकार),. And as, Hindi Littérateur, Pankaj Bisht puts it, "how intimate was his depiction of the displaced people from the villages in the urban slums, and those compelled to live and die on footpaths. You won’t find this kind of intimacy in any other language. Matiyani’s protagonists are beggars, pick-pockets, lumpens, drop-outs, marginalised characters. Fatedness — the lopsided policies of progress — they were its victims; and yet, their inner life was so full of humanism and faith.". Today, many writers view his work, second to none other than Premchand himself, though some like Giriraj Kishore, even consider his story writing, beyond of him as well.
He wrote over 30 novels, including 'Ramkali (रामकली) and 'Suryaasth Kosi, over 17 collection of stories including his most popular stories 'Maimood' (मैमूद), 'Yada Kada' (यदा कदा) and 'Ardhangini', 28 collection of stories, 7 collection of folk tales, apart from writing numerous essays and over 16 books for children.
In 1994, he was awarded an honorary degree
of D.Litt. by Kumaun University
, Nainital.
(बाड़ेछीना), Almora district, Uttarakhand
, it was here and later at Almora
, that he studied up to High School.
His first novel, Borivilli se Boribander tak was published in 1959, and in his career spanning five decades, he wrote numerous short stories, novels and published many collections of stories and essays. He was also known for his stories for children. He remained the editor of two publications, 'Janpaksh' and 'Vikalp', for many years . Thereafter, he moved to Haldwani
, where he spent the rest of his years, though suffering a depression attack in July, 1995, he would often travelled to Delhi and Lucknow, for treatment, despite that he continued writing prolifically "शैलेश मटियानी :लिखना एक आहट पैदा करना है" Dainik Jagaran article]. He was awarded Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan Award
for his contribution to Hindi Literature
in 2000.
He died on April 24, 2001, in Delhi
and was cremated at Haldwani
After his death, 'Shailesh Matiyani Smriti Katha Puraskar' was established by Madhya Pradesh
Government.
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
writer, poet, essayist from Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
.
He became most known for his short stories, depicting the struggles and the fighting spirit of the Indian lower and lower-middle class, which he embodied himself and expressed through his writings all through his life, and which gave him the title - People’s Writer or ‘Jankathakar’ (जनकथाकार),. And as, Hindi Littérateur, Pankaj Bisht puts it, "how intimate was his depiction of the displaced people from the villages in the urban slums, and those compelled to live and die on footpaths. You won’t find this kind of intimacy in any other language. Matiyani’s protagonists are beggars, pick-pockets, lumpens, drop-outs, marginalised characters. Fatedness — the lopsided policies of progress — they were its victims; and yet, their inner life was so full of humanism and faith.". Today, many writers view his work, second to none other than Premchand himself, though some like Giriraj Kishore, even consider his story writing, beyond of him as well.
He wrote over 30 novels, including 'Ramkali (रामकली) and 'Suryaasth Kosi, over 17 collection of stories including his most popular stories 'Maimood' (मैमूद), 'Yada Kada' (यदा कदा) and 'Ardhangini', 28 collection of stories, 7 collection of folk tales, apart from writing numerous essays and over 16 books for children.
In 1994, he was awarded an honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
of D.Litt. by Kumaun University
Kumaun University
Kumaun University is headquartered in Nainital, India. The university was established in 1973 under the UP State Act. It has two campuses, in Nainital and Almora, and 27 affiliated colleges spread over the Kumaun region...
, Nainital.
Biography
Ramesh Singh Matiyani 'Shailesh' was born on October 14, 1931, in BarechhinaBarechhina
Barechhina , is a village in Almora district, Uttarakhand, 18 km from the district headquarter, the city of Almora.. It lies on highway from Almora-Barechhina-Dhaulchina-Sheraghat-RaiAgar-Berinag-Chaukori-Thai-Tejam to Munsiyari.-Pre-historic art:...
(बाड़ेछीना), Almora district, Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
, it was here and later at Almora
Almora
Almora is a municipal board, a cantonment town in the Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Almora was founded in 1568.It is a town bustling with activity and a rich cultural heritage and history. It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon region of...
, that he studied up to High School.
His first novel, Borivilli se Boribander tak was published in 1959, and in his career spanning five decades, he wrote numerous short stories, novels and published many collections of stories and essays. He was also known for his stories for children. He remained the editor of two publications, 'Janpaksh' and 'Vikalp', for many years . Thereafter, he moved to Haldwani
Haldwani
Haldwani is a city, which along with its twin township of Kathgodam forms the Haldwani-Kathgodam municipal board in Nainital District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand....
, where he spent the rest of his years, though suffering a depression attack in July, 1995, he would often travelled to Delhi and Lucknow, for treatment, despite that he continued writing prolifically "शैलेश मटियानी :लिखना एक आहट पैदा करना है" Dainik Jagaran article]. He was awarded Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan Award
Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan Award
Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan Award is a literary honor in India which Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, , Ministry of Human Resource Development, annually confers on writers of outstanding works in Hindi Travel Literature...
for his contribution to Hindi Literature
Hindi literature
Hindi literature , is broadly divided into four prominent forms or styles, being Bhakti ; Shringar ; Veer-Gatha ; and Adhunik...
in 2000.
He died on April 24, 2001, in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
and was cremated at Haldwani
Haldwani
Haldwani is a city, which along with its twin township of Kathgodam forms the Haldwani-Kathgodam municipal board in Nainital District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand....
After his death, 'Shailesh Matiyani Smriti Katha Puraskar' was established by Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
Government.
Further reading
- Shailesh Matiyani ke Maynay, PAHAR Vol. 13, 2001. ISBN 81-86246-17-1.
- Jankathakar Shailesh Matiyani (Biography), Publications Division, Ministry of Communication and Broadcasting, Govt. of India, 1992.
Works online
- http://www.new.dli.ernet.in/cgi-bin/metainfo.cgi?&title1=yada%20kada&author1=Shailesh%20matiyani&subject1=Literature&year=1992%20&language1=hindi&pages=189&barcode=5990010044011&author2=&identifier1=&publisher1=Alok%20industries&contributor1=&vendor1=NONE&scanningcentre1=iiit,%20allahabad&scannerno1=&digitalrepublisher1=Digital%20Library%20of%20India&digitalpublicationdate1=0000-00-00&numberedpages1=&unnumberedpages1=&rights1=OUT_OF_COPYRIGHT©rightowner1=Hindustani%20Academy%20Allahabad©rightexpirydate1=&format1=%20&url=/data/upload/0044/016Yada Kada by Shailesh Matiyani (1992)] at Digital Library of IndiaDigital Library of IndiaDigital Library of India, part of the online services of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and partner in the Million Book Project, provides free access to many books in English and Indian languages. The scanning of Indian language books has created an opportunity for developing Indian...
- Hindi. - A collection of Essays. by Shailesh Matiyani - Hindi
- Bhasha aur Desh, an essay by Shailesh Matiyani - Hindi
- Maimood, a story by Shailesh Matiyani - Hindi
- Ardhangini, a story by Shailesh Matiyani - Hindi