Kumarpal Desai | |
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| Born | Kumarpal Balabhai Desai (1942-08-30)30 August 1942 (age 83) Ranpur (now inBotad district, Gujarat), India |
| Pen name | Desain in 2017 |
| Occupation | writer, critic, columnist, translator |
| Language | Gujarati |
| Education |
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| Alma mater | Gujarat University |
| Notable awards |
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| Spouse | Pratima |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Academic background | |
| Thesis | Anandghana: A Study with Special Reference to Anandghana Bavisi |
| Doctoral advisor | Dhirubhai Thaker |
Kumarpal Balabhai Desai is an author, critic, editor, journalist, columnist and translator fromGujarat, India. He studied and later taught at theGujarat University. He is associated with several social and Gujarati literary organisations such asGujarati Sahitya Parishad. He has written and edited more than hundred books including biographies and several works onJainism. He was awarded thePadma Shri in 2004.
Kumarpal Desai was born on 30 August 1942 atRanpur to Balabhai Desai whose nom-de-plume wasJaybhikhkhu, a prolific Gujarati writer; and Jayaben. His family is native ofSayla. He joined H. K. Arts College. He completedBA andMA in 1963 and 1965 respectively fromGujarat University with Gujarati as a major subject.[1]
Desai joined Navgujarat College inAhmedabad as a professor in 1965. He was awarded PhD in 1980 for his thesis onAnandghan completed under guidance ofDhirubhai Thaker. 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 and peace. He had worked as a sports commentator also.[1] He serves as the Professor Emeritus at Vishwabharati Institute, Ladnu.
He started writing at the age of eleven. His first short story was published in children's weeklyZagmag. He was influenced by his father Jaybhikhukhu and several other writers likeJhaverchand Meghani,Gunvantrai Acharya,Dhumketu andDula Bhaya Kag. His first bookVatan, Tara Ratan when he was in college. In 1962, he started writing a column inGujarat Samachar and his first book, a children's biography,Lal Gulab onLal Bahadur Shastri was published in 1965. The book was successful and he wrote full biographyMahamanav 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 ofGujarati Sahitya Parishad. He also served as the president ofGujarat Sahitya Sabha as well as the vice-president of Gujarat Vidyasabha andGujarat Sahitya Akademi. He is the Managing Trustee for the Institute of Jainology, India and Director of theGujarati Vishwakosh Trust.[2][3][1][4]
He writes five weekly columns;Int ane Imarat (since 1970),Jhakal Banyu Moti,Pandadu Ane Pyramid,Aakaash Ni Olakh andParijat no Parisamwad in Gujarati dailyGujarat Samachar.
Desai is a prolific writer. His collections of short stories includeEkante Kolahal (1976),Suvarna Mruga (1985),Bhavni Bhavai (1987),Bindu Banyu Moti (1986). His other books areMahenk Manavtani,Biradari (1971),Moti Ni Mala (1975),Kede Katari, Khabhe Dhal (1969),Moti Ni Kheti (1983),Vaheti Vato (1983). His only novelAnahata was published in 2019, which recounts the story ofKunti, a character from the Hindu epicMahabharata.[5]
His works of criticism areSabdasannidhi (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.[1] His other research works areGyanvimalsuri 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 includingEkvismi 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.[1]
He has also published collections of philosophical essays. His inspirational essays areZakal 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 areMotini Kheti,Manavtani Mahek,Kshamapana.[1]
His Biographical works areApang Na Ojas (1973),Mahamanav Shastri (onLal Bahadur Shastri, 1966),Veer Rammurti (1976),Afatoni Andhi Vachche Samruddhi Nu Shikhar (2000),Balakona Buddhisagarsurishwarji (onBuddhisagarsuri, 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 areVatan 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 translatedAustin Bukenya's play,The Bride asNavavadhu (2000) in Gujarati. He has written two books on journalism,Akhabari Lekhan (1979),Sahitya ane Patrakaratva (1999). He has also published some books in English and contributed in field of sports also.[1]
He has written several books in English, mostly related to Jainism. His works includeStories from Jainism (1988),Bhagvan Mahavir (1990),Non-Violence – A way of life (1990),Kshamapana (1990),Glory of Jainism (1991),A Pinnacle of Spirituality (2000),Essence of Jainism (2000),The Value and Heritage of Jain Religion,The Role of Women in Jain Religion,The Timeless Message of Bhagwan Mahavir,Vegetarianism (2000),A Journey of Ahimsha (2002),Our Life in the Context of Five Anuvrats and Anekantwad (2003),Tirthankar Mahavir (2003),Influence of Jainism on Mahatma Gandhi (2003),Jainism : The Cosmic Vision (2014),The Brave Heart (2009).Jin Shashan Ki Kirtigatha (1999),Apahij Tan Adig Man (2000) andAnandghan (2006) are in Hindi.
Desai is an expert of Indian culture,Jainism andJain literature. He regularly delivers lectures on Jain philosophy and Indian culture in India and abroad.
His books on Jainism includeAnandghan – A Study (1980, onAnandghan),Stabak byGyanvimalsuri (1988),Activities of Jain religion in the last decade (1988),Literary Achievements of Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandracharya (1988, onHemchandra),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, onMahavira),Bhagwan Rishabhdev – Life and teachings of the First Tirthankar of religion (onRishabhadeva). (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, onMāllīnātha),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 areShankheshwar Mahatirth,Jaybhikhkhu Ni Jain Dharmakathao - religious tales of Jaybhikhkhu; complication of 2 volumes,Ojas Ditha Atmabal Na andDhanya Che Dharma Tane - lectures of VijayVallabhsuri,Ratnatrayi Na Aajwala,Samayik Sutra with explanation,Atmavallabh Smaranika.
He was awarded thePadma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, in 2004.[6] He has also been conferred many other awards including the Jain Ratna Award (2001), Gujarat Ratna award,Dhanji Kanji Gandhi Suvarna Chandrak (2001), Hemchandracharya Award (2002),Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar (2009) andRanjitram Suvarna Chandrak (2015).[7][8] In 2019, he received the Bal Sahitya Puraskar fromSahitya Akademi for his contribution inGujarati children's literature.[9]
Desai married Pratima and has two sons, Kaushal and Nirav.
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