Harji Lavji Damani

Harji Lavji Damani Biography

Harji Lavji Damani was a well-known Gujarati writer, better known by his pen name Shayda. He was best known for his ghazal writings, and was nicknamed Ghazal Samrat, the king of ghazal poetry. He played a magnificent role in establishing ghazals written in Gujarati language, and popularized this sector of writing as well. Gujarati author and poet, Barkat Virani or simply Befaam was his son-in-law. Befaam married Damani’s elder daughter in 1952. Befaam also penned many ghazals, and earned fame as a Gujarati Ghazal writer. Harji Lavji Damani too was a leading writer of his time and he contributed poetry, novels, short stories and plays during his lifetime, apart from Gujarati ghazals. He lived during the period, 24 October 1892 - 31 May 1962.

Harji Lavji Damani was born on 24 October 1892 in Pipli village near Dhandhuka, Gujarat. Lavjibhai and Santokbahen were his parents. He studied till class 4 only. His first poem was published in the year 1912 and since then he has penned writings in Gujarati language, belonging to different genres. He also accepted the pen name, Shayda which means 'mad with love' in Urdu language.

He started writing ghazals, and later wrote novels, poems etc. He was also a playwright and play director. Kumali Kali was one of his major plays. He founded Gujarati weekly magazine Be Ghadi Moj in 1924 and also served as its editor. He published his ghazals through his magazine, free of inspirations from Urdu poetry and ghazals. He continued publishing ghazals till the magazine was closed in 1953. He died on 31 May 1962 in Mumbai.

As a writer his major works are Gulzare-Shayari - Shayda (1961), Dipakna Phool (1965) and Chita (1968). His story Vanzari Vaav was adapted into the Gujarati film Kariyavar in 1977. A road in Mumbai was named after him as Shayda Road in 1968. Indian National Theater gives Shayda Award to a young Gujarati ghazal poet every year.

Published: October 04, 2018

Updated: October 04, 2018