Hashoo Kewalramani | |
|---|---|
حشو ڪيولراماڻي | |
| Born | Hashmat Tehilram Kewalramani December 20, 1914 Naushahro Feroze District, Sindh, British Raj |
| Died | 1987 |
| Alma mater | University of London |
| Occupations | Writer, political activist, journalist |
| Known for | Sindhi rights activism; Forced exile from Pakistan (1949); Inclusion of Sindhi language in Indian Constitution |
| Notable work | Pakistan X-rayed |
| Movement | Sindhi Nationalism |
| Children | 1 son |
Hashmat Kewalramani, also spelled as Hashmat Kevalramani, sometimes written as Hushu Kewalramani, but most commonly as Hashoo Kewalramani (Sindhi : حشو ڪيولراماڻي), was a Sindhi dissident, political activist, and writer. [1] He was forcibly exiled from Pakistan in 1949. [2]
As a writer, he authored a book called Pakistan X-rayed. He also wrote articles for Economic and Political Weekly . [3]
Kewalramani was born in Bharan or Bharasti village of Naushahro Feroze District on December 20, 1914. His father, Tehilram, served as a Resident Magistrate. [4] After his father's demise when he was eight, his mother took over his upbringing and education. [4]
Kewalramani's educational journey took him from Karachi to Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka), and eventually to England, where he was exposed to socialism. [4] While in London, Kewalramani was a classfellow of Indira Gandhi and was actively involved in the independence movement. [2] Among his companions were Shaikh Ayaz, Sobho Gianchandani, Ibrahim Joyo, and GM Syed. [2] His political involvement grew while in England, culminating in his active participation in the Indian student community and the labor movement. [4] He returned from England without a degree to engage in politics. [2]
Returning to Sindh in 1939, he became involved in the Karachi Labor and Student Movements. [4] Despite confrontations with authorities leading to his imprisonment, Kewalramani founded the Sindh Students Federation in 1942, encouraging socialist and nationalist ideologies among young people. [4]
Syed noted that Kewalramani contributed significantly to the establishment of the Sindhi Samaj in Delhi, initially organizing a Sindhi Language Convention attended by then President of India, Radha Krishan. [2] He advocated for a united, independent India and opposed British rule. [2]
Following the 1947 partition of India, Kewalramani advocated for Sindhi rights and due to this, he was placed under house arrest in Karachi. [2] [4] During this period, he translated GM Syed's book My Struggle for a New Sindh into English and worked for the monthly magazine Pakistan Times. [2] His activities were deemed threatening by the new Pakistani government, resulting in his forced departure from the country in 1949. [2] [4]
Despite being presented before the court of Masood Khadarpoosh, then Commissioner of Karachi, Kewalramani was unwilling to leave Pakistan for India. [2] Relocated to India, he turned to journalism and worked towards the recognition of the Sindhi language and culture. [4] He was a significant figure in the movement to include the Sindhi language in the Indian Constitution and advocated for the revival of the Sindhi script. [4] Kewalramani maintained communication with key figures in Sindh and composed numerous English columns regarding various sociopolitical issues. [4] He also translated several Sindhi stories into English, further contributing to Sindhi literature. [4] Even after 15 years of exile in India, he still considered himself a refugee in 1963. [2]
Kewalramani married Sarla Ahuja, with whom he had a son named Gul who later gained prominence in the art world. [4]