Story:First Gujarati settled in Mauritius
Introduction:
This is the life story of Mayaram Soni who was a smalltime Gold smuggler from the village of Mahuva in Saurasthra region of Gujarat. How Mayaram landed up in Mauritius, settled there and brought 80 Gujarati families from Gujarat to Mauritius is interesting story for all Gujarati living in Mauritius.
This episode is especially dedicated to Gujarati people residing in Mauritius who listen to our episodes regularly. According to information that DeshGujarat has, in Mauritius there are 800 Gujarati speaking people. This story will be important for them. The story is taken from Harilal Godani’s book ‘Lejo Lahaavo Lok’ which is now facing extinction. First face of story is dialogue between young Mayaram Soni and his mother. After Dhol, second face starts which have storytelling sailing from Gujarat to Madagascar and upto Mauritius.
Detail:
One of the activities at DeshGujarat is to collect old, vanishing, out of print Gujarati books which are really worth and are so special that we Gujarati people can not afford to loose them.
For this cause, DeshGujarat visits ‘Gujari bazaar’ in Ahmedabad, frequently and scan the old-discarded book selling area there, in search of such books. DeshGujarat is proud owner of some hundred books of this kind.
Some books are so wonderful that they deserve reprint, but it is a costly affair and even after reprint, selling them may be another problem area. In such circumstances audio book can be the answer.
‘Lejo Lahaavo Lok’ was the book written by late Shri Dr. Haribhai Godani in 1976. The book is no more available anywhere for last several years and DeshGujarat fetched it from ‘Gujari market’. This book has amazing documentation and real as well as folk stories which were written after hard field work by writer.
DeshGujarat.com is trying to republish this book’s some wonderful chapters in audio mp3 format. Here is one of the chapters from this book ‘Mayaram Soni’, Which is dedicated to all the Gujarati listeners of DeshGujarat.Com from Mauritius.
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Congratulations for good work.May I have the article on Mayaram Soni in text form?
Thanks Shashichandbhai,
We are happy that you found this episode nice. This episode is actually created and released specially for our visitors from Mauritius like you. Yes, we have a book with written text copy of this story. It’s now nearly extinct and rare book.
Jay Gujarat
DeshGujarat Desk
Ahmedabad,Gujarat.
Hi,
Just wondering if I can read this story and who holds the rights of this story. I would be very keen to make a film on this subject. Iam an aspiring independent filmmaker with projects premiered at various international film festivals. (Please note that Iam not a producer)
I would really appreciate if I could read the complete story.
Thanks,
K…
I congratulate Desh Gujarat.com for undertaking such an rather unexplored area of the Gujarati Diaspora–the most audio-visual community among the Indiaspora.
In fact, I’ve published books, “Americaman Bhartiyo:Olakhni Khoj,Vikasni Dod” and (with Dr.Jagdish Dave)Britainma Gujaratiyo”‘In-betweeness-thi Homeliness” published by Gujarat Sahitya Academy,Gandhinagar.One in English is “Indians in America: One Stream,Two Waves, Three Generations”.They are part of my ongoing study of Comparative Gujarati Diaspora acrooss countries.
We’ll be gratified if some friend supply us matter related to Gujaratis in East Africa.-(Prof.)Pravin Sheth,USA
I congratulate Desh Gujarat.com for undertaking such a rather unexplored area of the Gujarati Diaspora–the most audio-visual community among the Indiaspora.
In fact, I’ve published books, “Americaman Bhartiyo:Olakhni Khoj,Vikasni Dod” and (with Dr.Jagdish Dave)Britainma Gujaratiyo”‘In-betweeness-thi Homeliness” published by Gujarat Sahitya Academy,Gandhinagar.One in English is “Indians in America: One Stream,Two Waves, Three Generations”.They are part of my ongoing study of Comparative Gujarati Diaspora acrooss countries.
We’ll be gratified if some friends supply us matter related to Gujaratis in East Africa.-(Prof.)Pravin Sheth,USA
Namaste & Jay gujarat……
Likewise East Africa & other cuntries,in New Zealand gujaratis migrated before approx. 125 yrs.. Nobody has worked to find details & truth in the matter.Probably from the south gujarat,I met some Gujaratis here,they can’t speak gujarati,but they have still proud to be GUJARATI.It is very interesting topic,if someone really want to do some efforts……….
I would be pleased to help to local person in New Zealand/Fiji.
Hi all,
I would like to get this episode in text / book format, so my whole family can read it. Can any one provide me the source of this book? From where I will get it?
Thanks in advance..