Kumarpal Balabhai Desai is an author, critic, editor, journalist, columnist and translator from

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...

, India. He studied and later taught at the

Gujarat University The Gujarat University is a public state university located at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The university is an affiliating university at the under-graduate level and a teaching university at the postgraduate level. It is accredited B++ by N ...

. He is associated with several social and Gujarati literary organisations such as

Gujarati Sahitya Parishad Gujarati Sahitya Parishad () is a literary organisation for the promotion of Gujarati literature located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It was founded by Ranjitram Mehta with the aim of creating literature appealing to all classes of society an ...

. He has written and edited more than hundred books including biographies and several works on

Jainism Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current ...

. He was awarded the

Padma Shri Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī''), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, ...

in 2004.

Early life

School of Languages in Gujarat University Ahmedabad

Kumarpal Desai was born on 30 August 1942 at Ranpur to Balabhai Desai whose nom-de-plume was Jaybhikhkhu, a prolific Gujarati writer; and Jayaben. His family is native of

Sayla Sayla is a sub-district of Surendranagar district, Gujarat, India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the mos ...

. He joined H. K. Arts College. He completed BA and MA in 1963 and 1965 respectively from

with Gujarati as a major subject.

Academic career

Desai joined Navgujarat College in

Ahmedabad Ahmedabad ( ; Gujarati: Amdavad ) is the most populous city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and the seat of the Gujarat High Court. Ahmedabad's population of 5,570,585 (per t ...

as a professor in 1965. He was awarded PhD in 1980 for his thesis on

Anandghan Anandghan was a 17th-century Jain monk, mystical poet and hymnist. Though very little is known about his life, his collection of hymns about philosophy, devotion and spirituality in vernacular languages are popular and still sung in Jain temples ...

completed under guidance of

Dhirubhai Thaker Dhirubhai Premshankar Thaker (27 June 1918 – 22 January 2014) was an Indian Gujarati writer, who was best known for creating the ''Gujarati Vishwakosh'', a 25-volume encyclopedia of the Gujarati language. Life Thaker was born on 27 June 1918 ...

. In 1983, he joined the Department of Gujarati Literature, School of Languages, Gujarat University. He became the Reader in 1988 and the Professor in 2000. He became the Head of Department in November 2001 and the Director, School of languages in 2003 and served till 2004. He was elected the Dean, Faculty of Arts and served for two years. Twenty students received PhD under his guidance by researching subjects like Jain philosophy,

Gujarati journalism The Media in Gujarati language started with publication of ''Bombay Samachar'' in 1822. Initially the newspapers published business news and they were owned by Parsi people based in Bombay. Later Gujarati newspapers started published from other par ...

and peace. He had worked as a sports commentator also. He serves as the Professor Emeritus at Vishwabharati Institute, Ladnu.

Literary career

He started writing at the age of eleven. His first short story was published in children's weekly ''Zagmag''. He was influenced by his father Jaybhikhukhu and several other writers like

Jhaverchand Meghani Jhaverchand or Zaverchand Kalidas Meghani ( – ) was an Indian poet, writer, social reformer and freedom fighter. He is a well-known name in the field of Gujarati literature. He was born in Chotila where the Government College has been rena ...

Gunvantrai Acharya Gunvantrai Popatbhai Acharya (9 September 1900 – 25 November 1965) was a Gujarati language novelist and journalist from India. His experience with seafarers impacted his adventure and novel writings. His works include several historical fict ...

, Dhumketu and

Dula Bhaya Kag Dula Bhaya Kag (25 November 1903 – 22 February 1977) or Kag Bapu was an Indian poet, songwriter, writer, and artist born in 1903 in Sodvadari village, a village in the Saurashtra region, near Mahuva in the Indian state of Gujarat. He is mainl ...

. His first book ''Vatan, Tara Ratan'' when he was in college. In 1962, he started writing a column in ''

Gujarat Samachar ''Gujarat Samachar'' is a Gujarati-language daily newspaper published in India. Its headquarters are in Ahmedabad with a branch in Surat. It is distributed from Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Mumbai, Mehsana, Bhuj and New Y ...

'' and his first book, a children's biography, ''Lal Gulab'' on

Lal Bahadur Shastri Lal Bahadur Shastri (; 2 October 1904 – 11 January 1966) was an Indian politician and statesman who served as the 2nd Prime Minister of India from 1964 to 1966 and 6th Home Minister of India from 1961 to 1963. He promoted the White Re ...

was published in 1965. The book was successful and he wrote full biography ''Mahamanav Shastri'' on him in 1966. Subsequently, he wrote several biographies. He also created as a wit and humour character Damodar Mehta for children's books. He also served as the president of

. He also served as the president of

Gujarat Sahitya Sabha Gujarat Sahitya Sabha, originally called the Social and Literary Association is a literary institution for the promotion of Gujarati literature located in the city of Ahmedabad, India. It was founded by Ranjitram Vavabhai Mehta in 1898. Its name ...

as well as the vice-president of Gujarat Vidyasabha and

Gujarat Sahitya Akademi The Gujarat Sahitya Akademi ( gu, ગુજરાત સાહિત્ય અકાદમી) or Gujarat Sahitya Academy, established in 1981, is a government institution dedicated to the development of the languages spoken in Gujarat, India an ...

. He is the Managing Trustee for the Institute of Jainology, India and Director of the

Gujarati Vishwakosh ''Gujarati Vishwakosh'' ( gu, ગુજરાતી વિશ્વકોશ, ) is an encyclopedia in Gujarati, one of the official languages of India, published by Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It can be considered the ...

Trust. He writes five weekly columns; ''Int ane Imarat'' (since 1970), ''Jhakal Banyu Moti'', ''Pandadu Ane Pyramid'', ''Aakaash Ni Olakh'' and ''Parijat no Parisamwad'' in Gujarati daily ''

''.

Works

Gujarati

Desai is a prolific writer. His collections of short stories include ''Ekante Kolahal'' (1976), ''Suvarna Mruga'' (1985), ''Bhavni Bhavai'' (1987), ''Bindu Banyu Moti'' (1986). His other books are ''Mahenk Manavtani'', ''Biradari'' (1971), ''Moti Ni Mala'' (1975), ''Kede Katari, Khabhe Dhal'' (1969), ''Moti Ni Kheti'' (1983), ''Vaheti Vato'' (1983). His only novel ''Anahata'' was published in 2019, which recounts the story of

Kunti Kunti ( sa, कुन्ती, ), named at birth as Pritha ( sa, पृथा, ), is one of the prominent characters of the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. She is best known as the mother of the Pandavas and Karna, the main protagonists of the epi ...

, a character from the Hindu epic

Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; sa, महाभारतम्, ', ) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India in Hinduism, the other being the ''Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the struggle between two groups of cousins in the Kuruk ...

. His works of criticism are ''Sabdasannidhi'' (1980), ''Bhavan-Vibhavan'' (1986), ''Hemchandracharyani Sahitya-Sadhna'' (1988), ''Sahityik Nisbat'' (2007), ''Shabdasameep'', ''Anandghan Jeevan Ane Kavan''. ''Apragat Madhyakalin Kritio'' (1982) is his research work in medieval works. His other research works are ''Gyanvimalsuri Krut Stabak'' (1979), ''Anandghan : Ek Adhyayan'' (1980), ''Apragat Madhyakalin Krutio'' (1982), ''Shree Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Shatabdi Granth'' Part - 1, 2 (2015). He has edited several works including ''Ekvismi Sadinu Bal Sahitya'' (2000), ''Adavat Vinani Adalat'' (2000), ''Ek Divas Ni Maharani'' (2000), ''Jaybhikhkhu Ni Dharma Katha'', ''Shabdashri'', ''Bal Sahitya Sangosthi'', ''Parivartan Nu Prabhat'', ''Jaibhikhkhu Smritigranth'' (1970), ''Savyasachi Sarasvat'' (2007), ''Shrimad Rajchandra ane Mahatma Gandhi'' (2003), ''Kavi Dula Kag Smritigranth'', ''Haimsmriti'', ''Narmad Aajna Sandarbhma'', ''Ojas Ditha Atmabalna''. He has also published collections of philosophical essays. His inspirational essays are ''Zakal Banyu Moti'' 1-2-3 (1983), ''Trusha Ane Trupti'' (1986), ''Shraddhanjali'' (1994), ''Jeevan nu Amrut'' (1996), ''Dukhni Pankharma Anandno Ek Tahuko'' (1997), ''Abol Ni Atamwani'' (1998), ''Zakal Bhina Moti'' (1998). His other essay collections are ''Motini Kheti'', ''Manavtani Mahek'', ''Kshamapana''. His Biographical works are ''Apang Na Ojas'' (1973), ''Mahamanav Shastri'' (on

, 1966), ''Veer Rammurti'' (1976), ''Afatoni Andhi Vachche Samruddhi Nu Shikhar'' (2000), ''Balakona Buddhisagarsurishwarji'' (on

Buddhisagarsuri Buddhisagarsuri (1874 – 1925) was a Jain ascetic, philosopher and author from British India. Born in a Hindu family, he was influenced by a Jain monk and later was initiated in asceticism, and later elevated to the title of ''Acharya''. He wro ...

, 1979), ''Firak Gorakhpuri'' (1984), ''Moolmarg Nu Amrut Ane Adhyatmanu Shikhar'' (2000), ''Manavtani Mahek'' (2000), ''Jivtarni Vate Aksharrno Divo'' (2014). He wrote children's biography of Lal Bahadur Shastri, ''Lal Gulab'' (1965). His other works for children are ''Vatan Tara Ratan'' (1965), ''Dahyo Damaro'' (1967), ''Haiyu Nanu, Himat Moti'' (1976), ''Nani Ummar, Motu Kam'' (1978), ''Motne Hath Tali'' (1973), ''Zabak Divadi'' (1975), ''Parakrami Ram'' (1977), ''Ram Vanvas'' (1977), ''Sita Haran'' (1977), ''Veer Hanuman'' (1978), ''C. K. Naidu'' (1978), ''Chalo Pashuo Ni Duniyaman'' (Part I to III) (1980), ''Bhim'' (1980), ''Lokhandi Dadaji'' (1992), ''Katharot Man Ganga'' (1993), ''Dhol Wage Dhamadham'' (1993), ''Vato Na Valu'' (1993), ''Sach Na Sipahi'' (1993). He has translated

Austin Bukenya Austin Bukenya (born 10 February 1944) is a Ugandan poet, playwright, novelist and academic administrator.Jainism Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current ...

and

Jain literature Jain literature (Sanskrit: जैन साहित्य) refers to the literature of the Jain religion. It is a vast and ancient literary tradition, which was initially transmitted orally. The oldest surviving material is contained in the ca ...

. He regularly delivers lectures on Jain philosophy and Indian culture in India and abroad. His books on Jainism include ''Anandghan – A Study'' (1980, on

), ''Stabak by Gyanvimalsuri'' (1988), ''Activities of Jain religion in the last decade'' (1988), ''Literary Achievements of Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandracharya'' (1988, on

Hemchandra Hemachandra was a 12th century () Indian Jain saint, scholar, poet, mathematician, philosopher, yogi, grammarian, law theorist, historian, lexicographer, rhetorician, logician, and prosodist. Noted as a prodigy by his contemporaries, he gai ...

), ''Moti Ni Kheti'' (Religious tales from Jain religion) (1983), ''Balako Na Buddhisagarji'' (1979), ''Kshamapana'' – review of the rituality of forgiveness from the point of view of Jainology., ''Bhagwan Mahavir – Life and principles of Lord Mahavir (1990, on

Mahavira Mahavira (Sanskrit: महावीर) also known as Vardhaman, was the 24th ''tirthankara'' (supreme preacher) of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd ''tirthankara'' Parshvanatha. Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6t ...

), ''Bhagwan Rishabhdev – Life and teachings of the First Tirthankar of religion (on

Rishabhadeva Rishabhanatha, also ( sa, ऋषभदेव), Rishabhadeva, or Ikshvaku is the first (Supreme preacher) of Jainism and establisher of Ikshvaku dynasty. He was the first of twenty-four teachers in the present half-cycle of time in Jain co ...

). (1983), ''Bindu Banyu Moti'' (tales from Jain Religion) (1986), ''Anandghan'' – Life and works (1998), ''Samaro Mantra Bhalo Navkar'' (1998), ''Jinshashan ni Kirtigatha'' (1998), ''Atmagyani Shraman Kahave'' – Life of Kailassagar Suri, ''Bhagwan Mallinath'' – Biography (1989, on

Māllīnātha Mallinatha (Prakrit ''Mallinātha'', "Lord of jasmine or seat") was the 19th tīrthaṅkara "ford-maker" of the present ''avasarpiṇī'' age in Jainism. Jain texts indicate Mālliṇātha was born at Mithila into the Ikshvaku dynasty to Ki ...

), ''Balavabodh of Merusunder'', ''Shri Mahavir-jivandarshan'' – detailed study of the life and teachings of Mahavira., ''Ahimsa ni yatra'' (2002), ''Tirthankara Mahavira'' (2002). His edited works on Jainism are ''Shankheshwar Mahatirth'', ''Jaybhikhkhu Ni Jain Dharmakathao'' - religious tales of Jaybhikhkhu; complication of 2 volumes, ''Ojas Ditha Atmabal Na'' and ''Dhanya Che Dharma Tane'' - lectures of Vijay

Vallabhsuri Acharya Vijay Vallabhsuri was a Jain monk. He was a disciple of Vijayanandsuri. He worked in Punjab so he was given honorific ''Punjab Kesari''. Biography Vallabhsuri was born on 26 October 1870 (Second day of bright half of Kartik month, Vikram ...

, ''Ratnatrayi Na Aajwala'', ''Samayik Sutra with explanation'', ''Atmavallabh Smaranika''.

Awards

He was awarded the

, the fourth highest civilian award of India, in 2004. He has also been conferred many other awards including the Jain Ratna Award (2001), Gujarat Ratna award,

Dhanji Kanji Gandhi Suvarna Chandrak Dhanji Kanji Gandhi Suvarna Chandrak also known as Dhanji Kanji Gandhi Gold Medal, is a literary honour in Gujarat, India given by Gujarat Sahitya Sabha. Established in 1983, the award is conferred annually on the most outstanding literate for his ...

(2001), Hemchandracharya Award (2002),

Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar The Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar ( Gujarati: સાહિત્ય ગૌરવ પુરસ્કાર), also known as Sahitya Gaurav Award, is a literary honour in Gujarat, India. The award is conferred by Gujarat Sahitya Akademi and Government of Gu ...

(2009) and

Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak, also known as the Ranjitram Gold Medal, was founded by Gujarat Sahitya Sabha and is considered the highest literary award in Gujarati literature. The award is named after renowned Gujarati writer Ranjitram Mehta. It is ...

(2015). In 2019, he received the Bal Sahitya Puraskar from

Sahitya Akademi The Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India. Founded on 12 March 1954, it is supported by, though independent of, the Indian government. Its of ...

for his contribution in Gujarati children's literature.

Personal life

Desai married Pratima and has two sons, Kaushal and Nirav.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Desai, Kumarpal Writers from Gujarat Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature & education Living people Gujarat University faculty 20th-century Indian translators Indian columnists Gujarat University alumni Gujarati-language writers 1942 births People from Botad district Indian literary critics 20th-century Indian Jain writers 20th-century Indian biographers Indian editors Indian children's writers Recipients of the Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak