Chinu Modi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chinu Modi
|
|
|---|---|
At Ahmedabad, 1999
|
|
| Native name |
ચિનુ ચંદુલાલ મોદી
|
| Born | Chinu Chandulal Modi 30 September 1939 Vijapur, Gujarat |
| Died | 19 March 2017 (aged 77) Ahmedabad |
| Pen name | Irshad |
| Occupation | poet, novelist, short story writer, critic |
| Language | Gujarati, Urdu |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education |
|
| Alma mater |
|
| Period | postmodern Gujarati literature |
| Literary movement |
|
| Notable works |
|
| Notable awards | Ushanas Prize 1982-1983 Narsinh Mehta Award 2008 Vali Gujarati Gazal Award 2010 Sahitya Akademi Award 2013 |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Chinu Modi (Gujarati: ચિનુ મોદી), born on September 30, 1939, and passed away on March 19, 2017, was a well-known writer from Gujarat, India. He was also famous by his pen name, Irshad (Gujarati: ઈર્શાદ). Chinu Modi wrote many different types of literature, including poems, novels, and short stories. He also worked as a critic, which means he reviewed and analyzed other people's writing. He was very skilled in languages and taught at various colleges. Chinu Modi received several important awards for his contributions to literature, such as the Sahitya Akademi Award.
Contents
Life Story of Chinu Modi
Early Years and Education
.jpg)
Chinu Modi was born in a place called Vijapur on September 30, 1939. His parents were Chandulal and Shashikantaben. His family originally came from Kadi.
He went to primary school in Vijapur. For his secondary education, he attended Sheth Hasanali High School in Dholka, which is near Ahmedabad. He finished his high school studies in 1954.
Chinu Modi continued his education at college. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Gujarati and History in 1958 from St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad. He then studied law and received an LL.B. degree in 1960. In 1961, he completed his Master of Arts degree in Gujarati and Hindi from Gujarat University.
Later, he earned a Ph.D. in 1968 from Gujarat Vidyapith. His research was about a type of poetry called Khandakavya in the Gujarati language.
His Career as a Teacher and Writer
Chinu Modi started his career as a teacher. From 1961 to 1963, he taught at H. A. Arts College in Ahmedabad. He also taught at colleges in Talod and Kapadvanj.
In 1965, he joined Swaminarayan Arts College in Ahmedabad and taught there for ten years. He also worked as a scriptwriter for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1975 to 1977. After that, he taught at Mansa College and Sabarmati Arts College.
In 1978, he became a part-time professor at L. D. Arts College. From 1994, he worked as a Reader at the School of Languages, Gujarat University, until he retired in 2001. He also led the Department of Journalism at M. S. University in Vadodara for a few years. Besides teaching, he worked as a freelancer in advertising.
Chinu Modi was also the chairman of the Kriti Film Cooperative Society from 1979 until he passed away. In 1979, he received a special Writer Fellowship from the Department of Culture in New Delhi.
His Final Days
Chinu Modi faced some serious health issues. After a heart attack on March 16, 2017, he was admitted to a hospital in Ahmedabad. He was suffering from multiple organ failure. On March 19, 2017, he returned home and passed away that evening in Paldi, Ahmedabad. Following his wishes, his body was donated to Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College for medical study.
Chinu Modi's Literary Works
Chinu Modi was a very important poet and also a talented playwright, critic, fiction writer, and translator. His writings have been translated into English, Hindi, and other Indian languages. Many of his plays have also been performed on stage.
Poetry Collections
He wrote different kinds of poems, both with and without specific rhythms. His main contribution was to ghazal poetry, which is a type of poem with rhyming couplets. He started writing poetry in 1955.
His first small poetry collection was Vyatan (1963). Other poetry collections include Urnanabh (1974), Shapit Vanma (1976), Deshvato (1978), and Irshadgadh (1979). He also wrote Bahuk (1982), which is a long narrative poem based on a story from the Mahabharata. Another long poem he wrote was Kalakhyan (2003).
Plays and Dramas
Modi is known for his experimental plays in Gujarati literature. His first collection of one-act plays was Dayal Na Pankhi (1967). Other plays include Callbell (1973), Hukam Malik (1984), and Ashwamedh (1986). He also wrote Shukdan, which is a Gujarati version of the famous French play Cyrano de Bergerac.
Novels and Short Stories
Chinu Modi wrote his first novel, Shaila Majmudar, in 1966. This novel was partly about his own life. Other novels he wrote include Bhaav-Abhaav (1969), Bhavchakra (1975), and Hang Over (1985).
He also published collections of short stories. These include Dabi Muththi Jamani Muththi (1986) and Chhalang (1997).
Literary Criticism and Editing
Chinu Modi also wrote books where he reviewed and analyzed the works of other poets. Mara Samkalin Kavio (1973) is one such example. He also edited collections of ghazals, like Gami Te Gazal (1976).
He started a group called the Hotel Poetry Club, also known as the Hotel Poets Group. In this group, he encouraged young writers to read, write, and discuss poetry.
Awards and Recognition
Chinu Modi received many awards for his writing. He won the Ushnas Prize in 1982–1983 for his book Bahuk.
In 2000, he received the Kalapi Award. He was also honored with the Narsinh Mehta Award in 2008 and the Vali Gujarati Award in 2010. In 2013, he received the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for Gujarati writers for his collection of ghazals called Khara Zaran.
Personal Life
Chinu Modi married Hansa on June 21, 1958. Sadly, Hansa passed away before him on March 2, 1989. They had three children: a daughter named Nimisha Bhatt, and two sons named Ingit Modi and Utpal Modi.
See also
- List of Gujarati-language writers
Images for kids
-
Chinu Modi with Manhar Modi
