Joseph Macwan

Not to be confused withYoseph Macwan.

Joseph Macwan
Native name	જોસેફ ઇગ્નાસ મેકવાન
Born	Joseph Ignas Macwan (1936-10-09)9 October 1936 Tranol,Anand,Gujarat
Died	March 28, 2010(2010-03-28)(aged 73) Nadiad,Gujarat
Occupation	Novelist, biographer
Language	Gujarati
Nationality	Indian
Education	Master of Arts
Genre	Novel, biography
Subjects	realism
Literary movement	Dalit literaturein India
Years active	1956–2010
Notable works	Vyathana Vitak(Agony of Suffering; 1985) Angaliyat(The Step Child; 1986)
Notable awards	Sahitya Akademi Award(1989) Dhanji Kanji Gandhi Suvarna Chandrak(1990)
Spouse	Reginaben ​ (m.1955)​
Signature

Joseph Ignas Macwan(Gujarati:જોસેફ ઇગ્નાસ મેકવાન; 9 October 1936 – 28 March 2010) was a Gujarati language novelist, short story writer and essayist from India. He received theSahitya Akademi Awardin 1989 for his novelAngaliyat(1986). He was also a recipient of theDhanji Kanji Gandhi Suvarna Chandrak(1990). His significant works include:Vyathana Vitak(Agony of Suffering; 1985),Angaliyat(The Step Child; 1986) andMari Paranetar(1988). He died on 28 March 2010, inNadiadfollowing kidney failure.

Biography

Macwan's grandfather was aHindu,but he adopted Christianity in 1892. Macwan was born on 9 October 1936 in Tranol, a small village of Khedataluka,Anand district,Gujarat. His family were natives ofOad,a small village nearby. He was born in the village of Tranol. He was born there because his father Ignas, or Dahyalal was working with a Christian mission there. His father was also known as a master in his village. His childhood passed in poverty and lack of maternal care. His mother Hiriben (Hira) died when he was young. His father soon married another woman who was cruel to him.

Macwan was aprodigy.He was admitted to school when he was five years old because of his reading and writing skills. Which were more advanced than those of most students of the usual admitting age of seven years. At that time it was unusual to study in school in his community. He had good memory skills and he could remember poems by listening to his brother who used to recite poems to his ill mother.He studied in the Missionary School of Oad village until fourth grade, then he did two grades at a local board school. He passed the vernacular final exam at the I P Mission School ofNadiadin 1950.

Due to poverty, he joined the Christian Missionary School at Khamloj as a teacher when he was fourteen. Later he was transferred to Missionary School, Nadiad as a Deputy PTC (Primary Teacher's Collage) in 1955. In the same year, he passedmatriculationwith 72%. He also completedVinit VisharadandRashtrabhasha Ratnaduring the same period. In 1957, he joined St. Xavier's School inAnandas a teacher ofHindi language.He passed a Master of Arts in Hindi by studying in weekend classes while working as a teacher. He served as a visiting lecturer of Hindi at the College ofDakorfrom 1971 to 1972 and at M B College,Vidyanagarfrom 1972 to 1977. Later he resigned from his visiting lecturer posts and continued to teach at the St. Xavier's School until his retirement in 1994.

He married Reginaben in November 1955, and they had four daughters and four sons.

He died on 28 March 2010, inNadiadfollowing kidney failure.

Literary career

Macwan's writing is inspired by his real life experiences.

His first novelAngaliyat(The Stepchild) was published in 1986, followed byLakshman Ni Agni Pariksha(1986),Mari Parnetar(1988),Manakhani Mirat(1992),Bij-Trij Na Tej(1995),Ajanma Aparadhi(1995),Dada Na Deshma(1996),Mavatar(1996),Amar Chandalo(2002),Dariya(2006),Sangavato,Bhini Mati Kora Man(2004),Apano Paras Aap(2005) andCharushila(2011). Macwan depicted the life of theCharotarregion in his novels.Vyathana Vitak,is a biographical work published in 1985, followed byVahalna Valkha(1987),Prit Pramani Pagle Pagle(1987) andMari Bhillu(1989).Sadhna Ni Aaradhna(1989) is a short story collection.

Translations and adaptations

His novelAngaliyathas been translated into English byRita KothariasThe Stepchildin 2004. HisLohino Sambandhhas been adapted as the filmBas Yari Rakho(English title:My Little Devil) andBaheru Aayakhu Mungi Vyathahas been adapted as a tele-film.

Recognition

He wonSahitya Akademi Awardfor Gujarati language in 1989 for his novelAngaliyat.He wonDhanji Kanji Gandhi Suvarna Chandrakin 1990.

Bibliography

• Joseph Macwan; Rita Kothari (31 January 2013).The Stepchild: Angaliyat.OUP India.ISBN978-0-19-809030-4.
• Vaghela Agnes; Vaghela Ramesh (2004).Chakdo: Joseph Macwanno Sahitya Samput-1.Joseph Macwan Foundation.

See also

• List of Gujarati-language writers