Sajood Sailani
# 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. 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.

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

## Biography

He played a prominent role in popularizing modern Kashmiri theatre during 70s and 80s when he established Wani Art Gallery. He started his career after being 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.

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). His prominent dramas include Zalur (spider), Vutri binyul (catastrophe), Fundbaz (swindler) and Tentykor (Catgut) among others.

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 this century who wrote a radio play in Bhojpuri language.

## Awards

| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result | Note |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 2008 | State Cultural Academy Felicitation | — | Won | — |
| 2008 | Writer in Residency Award | — | Won | — |
| 1998 | Best Play Awards | Paar Sung | Won | — |
| 1994 | Sahitya Akademi Award | Kaej Raath | Won | — |
| 1990 | Best Play Awards | Raat-e-Kareel | Won | — |
| 1990 | Akashwani Best Radio Play Award | Kana Pakiir | Won | — |
| 1980 | Best Play Awards | Shuhul Naar | Won | — |
| 1976 | — | Ropye Roodh | Won | — |
| 1975 | Kashmir Theatre Federation Best Decor Award | — | Won | — |
| 1970 | State Cultural Academy Award | Shehjaar | Won | 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 some years and died on 17 November 2020 in Zafran Colony residence of Srinagar. He is buried in Pandrethan, cemetery of Srinagar.

