A Tribute to my great teacher
-- Prof. Dr. BALDEV B. MATLANI
by Chandru Thakur
Dr. BALDEV B. MATLANI - First ever Professor of Sindhi language in India
Qualifications : |
Post Graduate in Sindhi from Sindh University M.Phil & Ph.D. from University of Bombay |
Academics : |
Since 1974, Lecturer in Sindhi at Govt. College in Larkana Sindh. Migrated to India -- via Attari border on 19th August' 1977 |
Achievements : |
Eight Sindhi & English Publications & Translations Received more than 5 prestigeous awards overseas. |
Mr. Ranjit Butani, Managing Editor of Sindhishaan magazine asked me to write an article on Prof. Dr. BALDEV B. MATLANI -- the Professor for my Ph.D. course.
I at once agreed to this proposal. Yes I agreed pronto but throughout the night my brain was abuzz with various thoughts & ideas about the subject !
I call Prof. Dr. Baldev B. Matlani as “B M Sahib” or “SAAEEN”. He is such a great personality that the more I write about him, the less will it be.
In the wee hours of the morning, mentally I went on collating data chronologically. However, every few minutes the following stanza from the poem ( about Sindh ) of renowned poet of Sindh -- TAJAL BEWAS -- came to my mind :
“ Sindh Munhinjee Amaan , Soonhun Tunhinjeea Mathaan ,
Chhaa Likhee , Chhaa Likhaan ! ,
Hiq Kalam Hikdo Maan , -- Keenun Pooro Pawaan ,
Chhaa Likhee , Chhaa Likhaan ! ”
” سنڌ منھنجي امان ـ سونھن تنھنجيءَ مٿان ـ
ڇا لکي ڇا لکان ! ـ
ھڪ قلم ھڪڙو مان ـ ڪيئن پورو پوان !
ڇا لکي ڇا لکان ! “.
In the morning, my crystallized views were reduced by me into writing -- & this article is the result.
My admission to M.A. (Sindhi), Univ. of Mumbai :
One day, I approached him for admission to M.A. ( Sindhi ).
He said “Dada, you are an 80 yrs. gentleman -- what test shall I give you ? -- write about 4-5 lines in Sindhi on any subject."
And I wrote, two BAITs from Shah Jo Risalo as under :
1) “ Waajhaaay watan khay -- Jay aun hit Muyaas
Ta godh Munhinjee Soomra -- Kij Punwaharan Paas.
Dij Daadanay Deho Maan -- Manjhaan Waliriyun Vaas
Muyaaee Jeeyass -- Jay Wanjay Madh malir day”
واجھائي وَطَنَ کي ، آئوُن جي ھِتِ مُياسِ ، |
Sur No.14 |
MAA-RU-EE |
Pg. 282 |
گورَ مُنھنجيِ ، سوُمِرا ! ڪَجِ پَنوَھارَنِ پاسِ ، |
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SJR by K B Advani |
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ڏِجِ ڏاڏاڻي ڏيهَ جي ، مَنجھان وَلَڙِيُنِ واسِ ، |
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مُيائيِ جِياسِ ، جي وَڃي مَڙهُ مَليِرَ ڏي . |
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“ Kay odaaee door -- Kay door bi odaa Supareen
Kay chadhan na chita tay belee -- Kay visaran na moor
Jee-un meihin bujhe poor -- Tee-un dil varai ko dost jo”
ڪي اوڏائيِ ڏوُرِ ، ڪي ڏوُرِ بہ اوڏا سُپِريِن ، |
Sur No.23 |
BARVO SINDHI |
Pg.386 |
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ڪي سَنڀِرِجَنِ نہ ڪَڏھيِن ، ڪي نہ وِسِرَنِ موُرِ ، |
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SJR by K B Advani |
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جِئَن مينھِن ڪُنڍيِءَ پوُرِ ، تِئَن دوسِتَ وَراڪو دِلِ سين. |
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B M Sahib was highly impressed -- he said “ you are now selected -- you are my Prize Catch !”
And I did not dis-appoint him -- [ I passed M.A. (Sindhi) in 2012 at the age of 82 years -- ranking 1st class 1st]. Incidentally, basically I am an Engineer.
Both of us have since then remained friends -- However, I treat him first as my ‘Ustaad’ par excellence then a friend .
B M Sahib as a positive thinker.
I remember an incident when I was doing my M.A. -- In some context, I told him “ Sir, I am an old man of 80 yrs.”
He shot back -- “ Dada, never say you are an old man -- you are a senior man of experience ‘ BUZRAG’.
B M Sahib & his Energy Level.
He is thin -- He does not walk but he ‘runs’ -- given a choice, he would like to fly !
B M Sahib & his Family.
Until the recent past, he lived in a joint family. He worships his mother -- he calls her ‘Bhabhi’. His wife ‘Hema’ is an M.Phil graduate , his elder son Vinod is an Engineer in Glenmark Pharma company & his second son Dhiraj is a Computer Engineer working in ‘Accenture’ company.
He has two brothers -- Elder brother ‘Prem’ a Dictionary of Sindhi Info. & his younger brother ‘Manoharlal’ is a head of the Dept of Sindhi in the Univ. of Mumbai.
B M Sahib’s Magnamity .
One day I said sorry to him for asking him a question re my M.A. studies at an odd hour. And his impromptu answer was --
“ Dada, you can ask any question on telephone or personally in office or home at any time of the day or night --
The doors of our office & home are always open for you.
How great gesture of his noble Professor !.
B M Sahib’s Personal Qualities.
* Sociable
* Amiable
* Ever Smiling
* Honest
* Helping
* Teacher extra ordinaire with Missionary Zeal
* B M Sahib is also the man who smells of fragrance of Spring -- as Shah Sahib has said in one of his Baits :
“ Maanhoon mirayee na Suhina -- Pakhee Mirayee in hunja
Kanhin Kanhin Maanhoon Manjh -- Achay booi bahaar-jee.”
B M Sahib believes in philosophy of ‘KARMA’
B M Sahib believes in Spanish saying :
‘ dicho y hecho’ ( It is said & it is done ).
And he also believes in Marathi saying :
Aaj, Aataa Aanee Ithay ( Today -- Now & Here ).
B M Sahib’s Retirement.
He retired on 30th September’ 2013. We all will miss him but amongst his Ph.D. students, I will miss him the most. If tears roll out of my eyes, I will console myself with a saying -- “ Parting must always be pleasant”. So relax !
Adios ! my Professor -- my Guide & my friend.
GOD BLESS YOU.