Abid Surti

Aabid Surti has a multifaced personality. He has gained popularity in several fields, like writing, painting, journalism, and environment studies. In his long career, he won many awards and received many honors for his work. In this article, we will talk about his lifestyle, personal life, and awards. We will also discuss his career, writing, and painting work. Let us get started.

About

Abid Surti is an Indian artist, author, cartoonist, and social activist. He was born on May 5, 1935, in Vavera, Gujarat, India. His life and career have been marked by a diverse range of accomplishments, reflecting his deep passion for art and social causes. His father's name was Gulam Hussain, and his mother's name was Sakina Begum. His family followed the Sufi Culture.

Education

Abid completed his education at the J. J. School of Art. There, he earned a diploma in Arts subject. He did not continue his studies and rather chose to work as a freelancer at the start of the 1960s.

Early life

Surti's journey in the world of art began at a young age when he started sketching and drawing. His talent was recognized early on, and he soon became a prominent cartoonist, contributing to various newspapers and magazines. He gained popularity for his keen wit, sharp observations, and ability to address social issues through his cartoons. At the age of 5, he met with an accident. He almost got carried by the flood in the Tapti River in Gujarat. After this incident, the family shifted to Mumbai. He spent his childhood in Mumbai.

Despite facing personal and professional challenges throughout his life, including financial difficulties and setbacks, Surti's indomitable spirit and resilience have been constants. His ability to change adversity into creative endeavors and social activism showcases his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the world. Abid Surti's life and work serve as an inspiration to aspiring artists and activists, demonstrating that creativity can be a powerful tool for social change. Whether through the stroke of a brush, the wit of a cartoon, or the words of a novel, he has left an enduring mark on Indian art and society, proving that one person's passion and dedication can indeed make a difference in the world.

Career

In addition to his success as a cartoonist, Abid Surti is also a renowned author and painter. He has authored numerous books, including novels, short stories, and plays. His literary works often explore the complexities of human relationships and societal norms, showcasing his versatility as a storyteller. One of Surti's notable achievements is his creation of the popular Indian comic character "Bahadur," which gained immense popularity in the 1970s.

The character, a fearless and patriotic secret agent, became a cultural icon and left a lasting impact on Indian comic book history. Abid Surti's contributions to the world of art and social activism have been widely celebrated. His work reflects a deep commitment to using his creative talents for the betterment of society. His journey is a testament to the power of art and activism in creating positive change, and his legacy continues to inspire aspiring artists and social activists.

The Drop Dead Organization

Apart from his artistic endeavors, Abid Surti is known for his commitment to social causes. In 2007, he founded the organization "Drop Dead," dedicated to saving water by fixing leaking taps in Mumbai. Surti personally went door-to-door to fix leaking taps, saving millions of liters of water in the process. His efforts earned him recognition and accolades for his innovative approach to water conservation.

The organization works for the welfare of the environment and society. They do repair work at a small level. For example, the organization workers will be responsible for repairing your street tap leakage. Getting impressed by his work, people started calling him the "Water Warrior ."Surti's commitment to social causes expanded beyond water conservation. His hands-on approach and dedication to environmental conservation earned him admiration and support from environmentalists and the general public alike.

Writing Work

The writing work of Abid Surti contains collections of short stories, novels, dramas, and travel stories. He writes most of his works in Urdu, Hindi, and Gujarati. Many of his books are translated into local languages. Abid Surti is a versatile writer from India who has written many types of books, including short stories, novels, plays, children's books, and travelogues. He has been writing for Hindi and Gujarati newspapers and magazines for more than 40 years. His journey as an author began by accident when he faced heartbreak as a teenager.

Unable to confide in anyone, he started writing his story, which was published in Gujarati as "Tootela Farishta" in 1965 and became a surprise success. Surti has written over 80 books, which consist of 45 novels, 10 short story collections, and 7 plays. One of his autobiographical novels, "Musalman," reflects on his childhood in the impoverished area of Dongri in Mumbai. His latest novel, "Sufi," explores the different living conditions of two friends, one of whom becomes a prominent figure in the Mumbai underworld.

In 1975, his novel "The Black Book," based on the Devil's Bible, stirred controversy and earned him the nickname the "Salman Rushdie of India." He collaborated with his son and others on a novel called "In Name of Rama," inspired by true events during the Babri Masjid demolition. Surti has received awards for his literary work, including the Hindi Sahitya Sanstha Award from the Uttar Pradesh government and recognition from the Gujarat government for his children's book "Rangat." He has also worked as a television and film scriptwriter and served as the editor of the Gujarati annual magazine "Dayaro" for many years. In recent times, he took legal action against the makers of the Bollywood film "Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge," claiming they used his novel without permission. Surti has also written graphic novels for children in Hindi, such as "Buddh kyun muskuraye 2500 saal baad," and created satirical gazals using common English words.

Career as a Cartoonist

In the early 1950s, Abid Surti started creating cartoon characters for a magazine called Ramakadu. His first colorful comic feature, "Rang Lakhudi," had three main characters-a boy, a girl, and a monkey. Later on, he created the popular character Dhabbuji, a lovable and simple character.

Dhabbuji became a part of a long-running comic strip in India, appearing in the Hindi magazine Dharmyug for over 30 years without a break. Another well-known character he created is Bahadur, which gained a large fan following when the comics started getting published in Indrajal Comics in 1978. Surti also came up with other comic book characters like Inspector Azad, Inspector Vikram, and a lady character named Shuja. These comics were not only published in Hindi but also English.

Raj Kapoor, a famous filmmaker, once expressed interest in making a film based on Inspector Azad, highlighting the popularity of Surti's comic strips. Additionally, his famous comic strip "Doctor Chinchoo Ke Chamatkar," published in the Hindi magazine Parag from 1963 to 1965, is being serialized by the National Book Trust as "Doctor Chinchoo Ke Kaarnamein."

Works

Abid Surti has made contributions in several languages. Some of his notable works are discussed below:

Gujarati

• Tootela Farishta
• Dhutro
• Aabh ma khilelu phool
• Kapurush Mahapurush
• Pagle Pagle Pyar
• Soofi
• Kundali
• Fokatlalno Varghodo
• Adhura anek
• Vasant avyano mane vahem
• Nana Nana Rakshash
• Aathmo akash
• Kala gulab
• Pāpana pārano pradeṡa
• Ram asrey
• Rang badalti Roma
• Radata Gulmohar
• Boter varasno babo
• Mari shreshth vartao
• Alag Matina Marad
• Baraf na chhera
• Ek zalak Japan ni
• Dagh
• Sukhano relo same par
• Musalman (translated into Eng. as Sufi)
• Jaldi Kar, Juliet (play)

Hindi

• 10 Pratinidhi Kahaniyan
• 21 Shreshtha Kahaniyan
• 365 Kahaniyan (collection of stories of a well-known author)

Novels

• Kathavachak
• Adhi Stri
• Bahata Paani
• Bahattar Saal Ka Bachcha (translated from Guj)
• Besabab
• Biswin Sadi Ka Aakhri Dashak
• Aadmi aur Chuhe
• Chamatkari Ladaki
• Cabaret Dancer
• Charitraheen
• Daag
• Dastoor
• Kale Gulab
• Kapurush Mahapurush
• Khoya Hua Chehra
• Kokh Se Kabra Tak Sati
• Kora Canvas
• Labangi
• Maan
• Mere Papa Ki Shadi
• Soonsaan
• Tanha
• Vasak Sajja

Stories

• Atankit
• Bijliyan
• Dhup Chhaon
• Gujrati Ki Shreshtha Vyangya Kathaen
• Teesri Aankh

Travel

• Awara Abid

Satire

• 365 Chutkule (selection of jokes)
• Bundabandi

Plays

• Munchon Wali Begam

English

Novels

• The Black Book (Kaali Kitaab)
• In name of Rama
• The Golf Widow
• Little nino and his secret beard.

Plays

• He is Radha

Conclusion

Abid Surti's life and career exemplify a remarkable journey marked by versatility, creativity, and a deep commitment to social causes. From his early days as a cartoonist, where he introduced beloved characters like Dhabbuji and Bahadur, to his prolific career as an author and painter, Surti has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of India. His dedication to addressing societal issues, as seen through his involvement with the "Drop Dead" organization for water conservation, showcases his hands-on approach to making a positive impact.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Surti's resilience in the face of challenges and his unwavering commitment to environmental and social causes make him a source of inspiration for aspiring artists and activists alike. With numerous awards and achievements recognizing his contributions, Abid Surti's legacy extends beyond the realms of art and literature. He continues to be a "Water Warrior" and a beacon of creativity, demonstrating that one individual's passion and dedication can indeed bring about meaningful change in the world. As his diverse body of work continues to inspire, Surti's impact on Indian art and society remains enduring and influential.