Mahabaleshwar Sail

Mahabaleshwar Datta Sail (born 4 August 1943) is an Indian author. He has been honoured with the Saraswati Samman, 2016 for his novel 'Hawthan' (हावटण).

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.

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.

Sail's Yug Sanvar(युगसांवार) in Konkani language and Taandav(तांडव) in Marathi language are based on the Goa Inquisition.

His novel Vikhar Vilkho(विखार विळखो) is based on the issue of narcotics. Dr. T.M.A. Pai Award (1997) Goa Kala Academy Award (1989 and 1996) Saraswati Samman (2016)

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.