Sajood Sailani

Sajood Sailani (born Ghulam Mohammed Wani; 1936 – 17 November 2020) was a Kashmiri playwright, painter, theater artist, cartoonist and a poet. He is primarily recognized for his radio plays written in regional languages. He produced his work in Urdu and Kashmiri languages and wrote about 150 radio plays, 27 stage dramas and 40 comedies throughout his career.[1] In the latter years of his career, he wrote a play titled Kaej Raath, leading him to become the recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award under Kashmiri category in 1994. He also served as a member of Sahitya Akademi's advisory board from 1973 to 1977 and in 1990.[2]

Sajood Sailani
Born	Ghulam Mohammed Wani 1936 Jammu and Kashmir, British India
Died	17 November 2020 (aged 83–84) Jammu and Kashmir, India
Resting place	Pandrethan, Nowgam, Srinagar
Pen name	Sajood Sailani
Occupation	Playwright Painter Theater artist Cartoonist Poet
Language	Urdu, Kashmiri
Education	Matriculation
Subject	Noha, Social reforms
Notable awards	Full list
Years active	70s–2020
Children	Showkat Shehri Manzoor Ahmad

He was born as Ghulam Mohammed Wani around 1936 in Dalgate Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.[2] He is survived three children, including two sons Showkat Shehri (playwright and writer) and Manzoor Ahmad (psychiatrist) and a daughter.[3]

Biography

He played a prominent role in popularizing modern Kashmiri theatre during 70s and 80s when he established Wani Art Gallery.[4] He started his career after inspired by the All India Radio's night show Hawa Mahal programme. He later recorded nohakhwaani (tragedy of Husayn ibn Ali) at Radio Kashmir Srinagar (in modern-day AIR Srinagar). He also wrote some uncertain scripts of noha depicting battle of Karbala.[2]

He originally started his career when he was studying in 10th class. It is believed that he never attended any college for further studies. He initially started writing short sketch comedies for the All India Radio and later worked for the Radio Kashmir Srinagar where he produced most of his literary work, including prominent dramas such as Kaej Raath (Dumb Night), Gaashe Taaruk (Guiding Star), and Ropye Rood (Money shower).[5] His prominent dramas include Zalur (spider), Vutri binyul (catastrophe), Fundbaz (swindler) and Tentykor (Catgut) among others.[4]

As a painter, he established Wani Art Gallery and subsequently became the recipient of an uncertain cultural award conferred by the government of Jammu and Kashmir's department Cultural Academy in 1970. He is sometimes considered as the only Kashmiri writer till century who wrote a radio play in Bhojpuri language.[5]

Awards

Year	Award	Nominated work	Result	Note	Ref.
2008	State Cultural Academy Felicitation	N/A	Won	N/A	[6]
	Writer in Residency Award	N/A		N/A
1998	Best Play Awards	Paar Sung		N/A
1994	Sahitya Akademi Award	Kaej Raath		N/A	[7]
1990	Best Play Awards	Raat-e-Kareel		N/A	[6]
	Akashwani Best Radio Play Award	Kana Pakiir		N/A
1980	Best Play Awards	Shuhul Naar		N/A
1976	N/A	Ropye Roodh		N/A
1975	Kashmir Theatre Fedration Best Decor Award	N/A		N/A
1970	State Cultural Academy Award	Shehjaar		Awarded by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in recognition of his contribution to Kashmiri poetry

Death

He was suffering from chronic condition for the past of some years and died on 17 November 2020 in Zafran Colony residence of Srinagar. He is buried in Pandrethan, commentary of Srinagar.[3]

References

1. "Famous playwright Sajood Sailani dies in Srinagar".
2. "Sajood Sailani No More, His Plays Will Go On". 17 November 2020.
3. "Noted playwright Sajood Sailani passes away". Greater Kashmir. 17 November 2020.
4. "Sajood Sailani". Greater Kashmir. 19 May 2018.
5. "Playwright Sajood Sailani Is No More". 17 November 2020.
6. "JKCCA condoles the demise of Sh. Sajood Sailani - Scoop News Jammu Kashmir". www.scoopnews.in.
7. "..:: SAHITYA : Akademi Awards ::."