Mahabaleshwar Sail


Mahabaleshwar Sail is an Indian author.
He has been honoured with the Saraswati Samman, 2016 for his novel 'Hawthan'.

Life

Mahabaleshwar Sail was born on 4 August 1943 in Shejebag, Majali, Karnataka village of Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. He was born in a family of agriculturalists. Sail's father was in the Army. Due to his father's demise, Sail had to leave schooling during his childhood and engage in agriculture. He started school at the age of six and dropped out in the eighth standard. Subsequently, he enrolled himself in the Indian Army. Sail also participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and was stationed at the Hussainiwala border.
He also served as a United Nations peacekeeper between 1964–1965 at the border between Israel and Egypt. Sail has worked as a supervisor in the Forest Department. He was also in the Goa, Daman and Diu Police. Sail worked in India Post till his retirement.

Literature

Sail initially wrote in Marathi language but later started writing in Konkani language too. His first story appeared in Pralhad Keshav Atre's Sāptāhik Navyug weekly. The first story which he was during a lull in the battle after the Tashkent Declaration.
Sail has written stories, novels and children's literature in Konkani language. He has authored novels, stories and plays in Marathi language. His first Konkani novel was Kaali Ganga in 1996. It dealt with the lives of the farming communities on the banks of the Kali River in Karwar. Sail received the Sahitya Akadami Award in Konkani language for his short story collection Taranga in 1993.
He has authored two novellas, Adrusht and Aranyakand in Konkani language. Adrusht was adapted in the form of the critically acclaimed Konkani language film Paltadacho Munis.
Sail's Konkani shorty story collections are Padtadche Taru, 'Taranga, Baynet Fighting, Nimano Ashwathama and Don Moolanche Zhaad. His novels in Konkani language are 'Kaali Ganga, Adrusht, Aranyakand, Yug Sanvar, Khol Khol Moolam, Vikhar Vilkho and Maati and Malab.
He has to his credit a children's novel named Saim Dev. His novels in Marathi language are Taandav and Band Darvaja. Sail has also scripted plays in Marathi language such as Nako Jalu Maza Gharta, Charitryaheen, Sharanaagati and Yaatna Chakra.

Critical reception

Sail's writing is characterised by research on the topic and the use of Konkani language words from Karwar region. His novels are characterized by the use of strong female heroines and an excellent depiction of the characters.
Sail's Yug Sanvar in Konkani language and Taandav in Marathi language are based on the Goa Inquisition. Both the novels were widely discussed and an English translation by Vidya Pai entitled Age of Frenzy was released by HarperCollins India.
His novel Vikhar Vilkho is based on the issue of narcotics. Hawthan is based on the challenged faced by the traditional potters due to the diminishing demand for their wares. Sail's writing have been honoured with various awards including the prestigious Saraswati Samman, 2016.

Awards and honours

In addition, Sail has been a member of various government and literary organisations like the Sahitya Akademi, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi and the Goa Kala Academy. He was the President of the All India Konkani Parishad in 2005.