Gujarati Poets / Writers ગુજરાતી કવિઓ / લેખકો
Gujarati literature is very lucky to have many scholar poets and writers. It is traced back to 11th century. Many good poets and writers have served Gujarati literature in last 7 centuries. To mention some:
Acharya Hemachandra આચાર્ય હેમચંદ્ર
Acharya Hemachandra (1089–1172) was a Jain scholar, poet, and polymath who wrote on grammar, philosophy, prosody and contemporary history. Noted as a prodigy by his contemporaries, he gained the title Kalikāl Sarvagya "all-knowing of the Kali Yuga". Hemachandra rose to prominence under the reign of Siddharaja and was an advisor to his successor Kumarpal. During Kumarapala's reign, Gujarat became a reputed center of culture. A prodigious writer, Hemchandra wrote grammars of Sanskrit and Prakrit, texts on science and logic and practically all branches of Indian philosophy. Acharya Hemchandra presented an earlier version of the Fibonacci sequence. It was presented around 1150, about fifty years before Fibonacci (1202).
Narsinh Mehta - નરસિંહ મહેતા
Narsinh Mehta (1414 – 1481) was a poet saint from Junagadh. He is also known as Narsinh Bhagat as he has written poems and devotional songs in praise of Shri Krishna. He is acclaimed as Adi Kavi ("first among poets") of Gujarati literature. His devotional poems have highest level of Spiritual Philosophy. He also had very good knowledge of music as he has narrated his poems in ancient Ragas. He was also a revolutionary who never considered the caste system and saw God in every man.
Meerabai મીરાંબાઈ
Meerabai (1498 – 1557) was originally from Mevad, Rajashthan but she has contributed a lot to Gujarati devotional poems. Like Narsinh Mehta, she has written many devotional poems in praise of Shri Krishna. Shri Krishna's worship is never without Meerabai's devotional songs.
Dayaram દયારામ
Dayaram (1777–1853) belongs to middle age or "Madhya-kal" in Gujarati literature. He was known for his literary form called "Garbi”. Dayaram, along with Narsinh Mehta and Meera, is considered as major contributor for devotional poems in Gujarati literature. Dayaram was follower of "Sagun Bhakti movement" in Gujarat.So he gave many Garbi describing Shri Krishna as human-being. Dayaran was trained musician. He was expert in playing many musical instruments. He was also knowing many Indian languages. It is believed that he has written in Gujarati, Vraj, Marathi, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Urdu etc.
Akha Bhagat અખા ભગત, અખો
Akha Bhagat (1591–1656) was a medieval period poet in Gujarati literature who wrote in the tradition of the Bhakti movement. He wrote his poems in pattern which is called "chhappa" (satirical poems). He shared his experience and knowledge in chhappa.The poetry writing style he followed for lending his philosophy in verse. He has written 746 chappas.
Anandshankar Bapubhai Dhruv આનંદશંકર બાપુભાઈ ધ્રુવ
Anandshankar Bapubhai Dhruv (1859 - 1942), was a Gujarati scholar, writer, educationist and editor. He has written many books of Indian philosophy and Sanskrit literature as well as western philosophy and culture. Further, he has written several noted essays on religion and philosophy discussing the true essence of Hindu faith. He started a monthly magazine Vasant in 1902 and was also Editor of Sudarshan.
Balwantrai Thakore બ.ક.ઠાકોર, બળવંતરાય ઠાકોર
Balwantrai Thakore (1869-1952) was a "Poem-teacher" or "Kavita-Shikshak" in Gujarati literature.Prof. Balwantrai Thakore is considered one of the greatest pioneers of the Pandit yug. His sonnet sequence "Premo Divas" (Day of love) and the collection of poems Bhankar are believed to be the major contributions to Gujarati Literature.
Kavishwar Dalpatram Dahyabhai or Dalpatram દલપતરામ
Dalpatram (1820-1898) was a great poet who was given the title of the "Mahakavi" He was the father of Nanalal Kavi. His literature was most modern at times and his first play Laxmi was inspired by Greek play Plutus, it was the first play in Gujarati.
He was encouraged to pursue literature by Alexander Kinlock Forbes, the magestrate in Ahmedabad who wanted to see Gujarat literature develop, and who had helped found the Gujarat Vernacular Society. Dalpatram also supported social reforms such as opposition to child marriage, allowing widows to remarry. Both Dalpatram and Narmad were the first Gujarati poets to address subjects connected to common life in their verses. Dalpatram's poems had subjects like English law, how to write an essay, and even "trees in a college compound". His verse often reflected his sense of humour.
Gijubhai Badheka ગીજુભાઈ બધેકા
Gijubhai Badheka (1885 - 1939) was an educationist who helped to introduce Montessori education methods to India. He is referred to as "Moochhali Maa" ("mother with whiskers"). Gujubhai published more than 200 works including storybooks. His topics include children, education, travel and humour. However, his focus was books for children, parents and educators.
Govardhanram Tripathi ગોવર્ધનરામ ત્રિપાઠી
Govardhanram Tripathi (1855-1907) was a novel writer of Gujarati literature. He was a lawyer by profession but he retired early and settled in his hometown Nadiad to contribute to the world of Gujarati literature and also to take part in selfless service, working and offering this work to God, in keeping with the traditions of many Indian religions. Govardhanram wrote the novel "Saraswatichandra” in 4 parts, which is not only considered to be the best Gujarati novel, but is also seen as one of the best novels ever written. He was known as Gujarat's most popular writer, thinker, poet and philosopher. He wrote in varied styles, but became one of the greatest Indian experts, and marked an important milestone in the history of Gujarati literature with his magnum opus, 'Saraswatichandra'. He was also fluent in English, and wrote his very famous 'Scrap Book' in the language.
Jhaverchand Meghani ઝવેરચંદ મેઘાણી
Jhaverchand Meghani (1896 – 1947) was a noted poet, litterateur, social reformer and freedom fighter. Mahatma Gandhi gave him the title of Raashtreeya Shaayar (National Poet). He authored more than 100 books. He contributed widely to Gujarati folk literature. He went from village to village in search of folk-lores and published them in various volumes of Saurashtra Ni Rasdhar. He was also the Editor of Phoolchhab Newspaper of Janmabhoomi group (which is being published till date from Rajkot). In 1930, he was sentenced for 2 years in jail for writing the book 'Sindhudo' that contained songs to inspire the youth of India that was participating in the struggle for Independence.
Mahatma Gandhi મહાત્મા ગાંધી
Mahatma Gandhiji was also a very scholar writer. One of his earliest publications, Hind Swaraj, published in Gujarati in 1909, is recognized as the intellectual blueprint of India's freedom movement. For decades he edited several newspapers including Harijan in Gujarati, Hindi and English. He wrote several books including his autobiography, “The Story of My Experiments with Truth”(Gujarātī "સત્યના પ્રયોગો અથવા આત્મકથા"). His autobiography is translated into many languages and millions of copies are sold. It is still being considered as the Best Seller. Gandhiji established Gujarat Vidhyapith and Navjivan Press to encourage Gujarati literature and its studies.
Sursinhji Takhtasinhji Gohil સુરસિંહજી તખ્તસિંહજી ગોહિલ
Sursinhji Takhtasinhji Gohil(1874-1900) is popularly known as Kalapi (Gujarati:કલાપી) He is a renowned name in Gujarati literature. He was from the royal family of Lathi (near Amreli). In spite of his short life of just 26 years, poet Kalapi's creation was immense and enormous. His creation includes about 250 poems (including 15,000 verses). He has also given a number of prose writings. His 900 letters to his friends and wives brought the facts and truth. He also translated four English novels in Gujarati. He had superb command over the language. Kavi Kalapi had written poems in various Chhand of Gujarati language. Like Mandakranta, Shardulvikridit, Shikharini etc. To write poem in particular Chhand, one has to follow the structure of that chhand and the rules of chhandas poem. Kavi kalapi is the only poet who has written maximum number of poems in these chhands. Those poems are so smooth and lovely to read and to sing because of chhandas structure.
Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi ક.મા. મુનશી
Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi (1887 – 1971) was an Indian Independence movement activist, politician, writer and educationist. A lawyer by profession, he later turned to literature and politics. Munshi was also a litterateur with a wide range of interests. He is well known for his historical novels in Gujarati, especially his trilogy Patan-ni-Prabhuta (The Greatness of Patan), Gujarat-no-Nath (The Ruler of Gujarat) and Rajadhiraj (The Emperor). His other works include Jay Somnath (on Somnath temple), Krishnavatar (on Lord Krishna), Bhagavan Parasurama (on Parshuram) and Tapasvini (The Lure of Power).Apart from Gujarati literature, he has also contributed to Indian politics, Indian Constitution, Social Reforms, Education etc. He founded Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, an educational trust, in 1938.
Kavi Kant કાન્ત
Kavi Kant is a well-known poet. He wrote one poetry book called Purvalap, which was released on the day he died. He invented a form of poetry called "Khand-Kavya". His poem "Sagar ane Sashi (The Sea and the Moon)" is considered one of the ten best lyric (Urmi-Kavita) of all time. He also wrote the plays Roman-Swaraj and Guru Govindsinh.
Jyotindra Dave જ્યોતીન્દ્ર દવે
Jyotindra Dave was a humor writer. He is considered as one of the best humor writer of Gujarat. He wrote a humor book “Ame Badha” along with Dhansukh Mehta. This is the best seller. It was also a first attempt to write a humor book by two writers together.
Narmadashankar Lalshankar Dave નર્મદાશંકર લાલશંકર દવે
Narmadashankar Dave (1833 – 1886), popularly known as Narmad, was a Gujarati author, poet, scholar and public speaker. He was from Surat. He introduced many creative forms of writing in Gujarati. He wrote pioneering work in such forms as autobiography, poetry, lexicography, historical plays and research in folk literature. He was also an outspoken journalist and a pamphleteer. Narmad was a strong opponent of religious fanaticism and orthodoxy. He promoted nationalism and patriotism - with famous songs like “Sahu Chalo Jitva Jang”, wrote about self-government and talked about one national language, Hindi, for all of India, nearly five decades before Gandhiji or Nehru. He wrote a poem “Jai Jai Garavi Gujarat" in which he listed with a sense of pride all the cultural symbols that go into constituting the Gujarat identity. These symbols include even the things non-Hindu, implying that Gujarat belongs to all the castes, communities, races, religions and sects that inhabit Gujarat. It was this devout poet whose debt Gandhi acknowledged for his philosophy of non-violence. With the help of some friends, Narmad published a newsletter called Daandiyo, modeled after The Spectator, a weekly British magazine.
Narsinhrao Divetia નરસિંહરાવ ભોળાનાથ દિવેટિયા
Narsinhrao Divetia(1859–1937) is known for his contributions in the field of Gujarati literature. He wrote the elegy called "Mangal Mandir Kholo". He was the first Poet of Gujarat to write lyrics in the pure western style.
Nanalal Dalpatram Kavi નાનાલાલ દલપતરામ કવિ
Nanalal Dalpatram Kavi (1877-1946) was a noted author and poet of Gujarati literature and was given a title of "Kavishwar" (God of Poets) by people of Gujarat. He was son of Kavi Dalpatram.A romantic idealist in the tradition of the English romantic poets of the 19th century, Nanalal was a lyrical poet par excellence. He also wrote a good number of plays and attempted narrative poetry on epic scale, besides other literary forms like novel, short story, biography, essay and criticism. His books number more than eighty. Though he thoroughly imbibed tradition, he was a bold experimenter, true to his romantic spirit. His one of the Greatest prayers * Asatyo Mahethi is still being sung in the Schools of Gujarat.
Pannalal Patel પન્નાલાલ પટેલ
Pannalal Patel (1912 - 1989) was a Gujarati author. He was settled in North Gujarat. He was the first author to write novels in “Talpadi” Gujarati language (the Gujarati language spoken by villagers). Some of his novels like "Malela Jiv", “Manvini Bhavai”, “Paarth Ne Kaho Chadave Baan” ( "પાર્થ ને કહો ચડાવે બાણ ”) are considered as the master piece of Gujarati literature and are still the best sellers. He was the recipient of Jnanpith Award in 1985.
Premanand Bhatt પ્રેમાનંદ ભટ્ટ
Premanand Bhatt (1649–1714) is known for his contribution in Gujarati literature. Premanand is known for his literary form called "Aakhyan". He belongs to middle age or "Madhya-kal" of Gujarati literature. He was known by the title of "Ras-Kavi". His known creations are "Nalakhyan", "Sudamacharitra", "Dashamskandh", "Rannyagna". In his time Gujarati language did not have a respectable position compared to languages of other states of India. Premanand vowed that: "I shall not put on a Turban on my head till the time I earn a respectable position for Gujarati Language". Premanand provided invaluable service to Gujarati Language as well as to the people of society by poetically narrating the religious and social inheritance of Middle Ages, i.e. episodes from epics and scriptures in a simple and effective language and also performed valuable act of cultural awakening. Premanand's creations are priceless possessions of Gujarati literature; they are the cultural inheritance of Gujarati populace.
Sir Ramanbhai Nilkanth રમણભાઈ નીલકંઠ
Ramanbhai Nilkanth 1868–1928) was a noted humorist writer of Gujarati literature. He wrote two classics of Gujarati literature namely "Bhadram-Bhadra" and "Rai no Parvat". "Bhadram-Bhadra" is still the best seller. His father, Mahipatram Rupram Nilkanth, was also an author and social worker. Ramanbhai Nilkanth was a renowned short story writer and his wife Lady Vidyagauri was one of the state’s first women graduates. His daughter, Vinodinee Neelkanth was perhaps the first Gujarati woman to get a post-graduate degree from the US. He was also the Mayor of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. This noted philanthropist and humourist writer, Ramanbhai Nilkanth became the first Hon. Secretary. of the Ahmedabad Red Cross founded in 1923.
Ranjitram Mehta રણજિતરામ વાવાભાઇ મહેતા
Ranjitram Mehta (1881 - 1917) is a very famous Gujarati author. His contribution to encourage the Gujarati literature is invaluable. He was the founder of Gujarati Sahitya Sabha and Gujarati Sahitya Parishad. Gujarati literature's highest award, Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak (Ranjitram Gold Medal) is given to the best poet/writer in honor of him.
Shamal Bhatt શામળ
Shamal Bhatt (1718–1765) was a Gujarati author of the middle age in Gujarati literature. He is known for his "Padhya-Vaarta" (story writing).One of his poems inspired Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of satyagrah – resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience. He wrote many famous "Padhya-Vaarta" like ' Chandra-Chandraawati ni Vaarta ', ' Madan-Mohna ', ' Sinhaasan-Batrisi '
Sundaram સુન્દરમ
Sundaram (1908-1991)'s name was Tribhuvandas Purshotamdas Luhar. He wrote many poems and short stories. He was a revolutionary poet. He also took part in the independence struggle. He became a devotee of Shri Arvind and started staying in the Arvind Ashram Pondichery where he was the editor of magazines "Dakshina" and "Baldakshina”. He got Sahitya Academi Award and Padma Bhushan Award.
Umashankar Joshi ઉમાશંકર જોશી
Umashankar Joshi (1911-1988) was an eminent poet, scholar and writer. He is considered as one of the Greatest poets of Gujarat. He has written poems, stories,dramas. His poetic works like “Nishith”, “Gangotri”, “Vishwashanti”, “Mahaprasthan”, “Abhigna”, stories like “Visamo”, dramas like “Haveli” are still considered as Master piece in Gujarati literature. He was also the Editor of “Sanskruti” magazine. He served Gujarat in many ways like as President of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad, President of Sahitya Academy, Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University, Member of Rajyasabha, Upper House of the Indian Parliament. He got recognition by many awards including the National level Jnanpith Award, Soviet Land Nehru Award.
Snehrashmi સ્નેહરશ્મિ
Zinabhai Desai known as Snehrashmi was a Great poet of Gujarati literature. He is still considered as a Master Poet for “Haiku” (a type of poem from Japan) in Gujarati. He had worked with Mahatma Gandhi. He joined Sheth C.N. Vidhyavihar as a teacher and served there for life time as director. C.N. Vidhyavihar is a very prominent educational institute of Gujarat which has given scholars in various fields of Science, Technology, Sports, Literature, Arts, Music etc. Thousands of scholar students of C.N. Vidhyavihar are working in various fields in different countries and they still admire Snehrashmi as “Zina Dada” who nurtured their overall career.
Some other well-known poets/writers who have contributed a lot to Gujarati literature are: Adil Masuri, Balmukund Dave, Botadkar, Manubhai Pancholi (Darshak), Gaurishankar Joshi (Dhumketu), Harindra Dave, Gunvantray Acharya, Ramesh Parekh, Ravji Patel, Shekhadam Abuwala, Suresh Dalal, Rajendra Shah, Niranjan Bhagat, Dinkar Joshi etc.
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