Children's Literature In Gujarati Language
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Children's literature Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. In addition to conventional literary genres, modern children's literature is classified by the intended age of the reade ...
in
Gujarati language Gujarati ( ; , ) is an Indo-Aryan language native to the Indian state of Gujarat and spoken predominantly by the Gujarati people. Gujarati is descended from Old Western Rājasthāni, Old Gujarati (). In India, it is one of the 22 Languages with ...
of India has its roots in traditional folk literature,
Puranic Puranas (Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature
(1995 Editio ...
literature, epics and fables from
Sanskrit literature Sanskrit literature is a broad term for all literature composed in Sanskrit. This includes texts composed in the earliest attested descendant of the Proto-Indo-Aryan language known as Vedic Sanskrit, texts in Classical Sanskrit as well as some ...
. Following 1830s, the large number of stories and fables adapted and translated from various traditional and western sources started to appear in Gujarati. Led by
Gijubhai Badheka Gijubhai Badheka (15 November 1885 – 23 June 1939) was an educator who helped to introduce Montessori education methods to India. He is referred to as "Moochhali Maa" ("mother with whiskers"). Badheka was a high court lawyer, however, follow ...
and
Nanabhai Bhatt Nanabhai Bhatt (12 June 1915 – 24 April 1999) was an Indian film director and producer who worked in Hindi cinema, Hindi and Gujarati cinema. He is known for making over a hundred fantasy and mythological films, including ''Mr. X'' (1957), ' ...
, the children's literature expanded rapidly in form of stories, poems, rhymes and riddles. Several authors and poets wrote for children intermittently and exclusively. Large number of magazines catering to children were published by middle of twentieth century. Later adventure novels, science fiction, young-adult fiction were also published. Ramanlal Soni and
Jivram Joshi Jivram Bhavanishankar Joshi (6 July 1905 – 2004) was Gujarati language writer of children's literature. Biography He was born on 6 July 1905 at Garani village near Jasdan in Amreli district then under Baroda State of Gujarat to Santokben and ...
contributed for five decades creating stories, fictional characters and novels. Few children's plays were published while the biographies of historical characters appeared frequently.


Children's stories

There are several stories popular in Gujarati folk literature which relate to children. There is a long tradition of
Purana Puranas (Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature
(1995 Editio ...
stories in
Indian literature Indian literature refers to the literature produced on the Indian subcontinent until 1947 and in the Republic of India thereafter. The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India has 22 officially recognised languages. Sahitya Akadem ...
which deals with topics, particularly myths, legends and other traditional lore. The stories derived from ''
Ramayana The ''Ramayana'' (; ), also known as ''Valmiki Ramayana'', as traditionally attributed to Valmiki, is a smriti text (also described as a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic) from ancient India, one of the two important epics ...
'', ''
Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kuru ...
'', '' Panchtantra'', ''
Hitopadesha ''Hitopadesha'' (Sanskrit: हितोपदेशः, IAST: ''Hitopadeśa'', "Beneficial Advice") is an Indian text in the Sanskrit language consisting of fables with both animal and human characters. It incorporates maxims, worldly wisdom and ...
'' and anecdotes of ''
Akbar Akbar (Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, – ), popularly known as Akbar the Great, was the third Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1556 to 1605. Akbar succeeded his father, Humayun, under a regent, Bairam Khan, who helped the young emperor expa ...
-
Birbal Mahesh Das (; 1528 16 February 1586), popularly known by his title Rajah Birbal (), was an Indian minister and commander of the Mughal Empire. He is mostly known in the Indian subcontinent for the folk tales which focus on his wit. He was app ...
'', ''Bhoja-Kalidas'', ''
Singhasan Battisi ''Singhasan Battisi'' is a collection of Indian folk tales. The title literally means "thirty-two (tales) of the throne". In the frame story, the 11th century king Bhoja discovers the throne of the legendary ancient king Vikramaditya. The throne ...
'', ''
Baital Pachisi The ''Vetala Panchavimshati'' (, IAST: ), or ''Betal Pachisi'' ("''Twenty-five (tales) of Betal''"), is a collection of tales and legends within a frame story, from India. Internationally, it is also known as Vikram-Vetala. It was originally wri ...
'', ''
Śukasaptati Śukasaptati, or ''Seventy tales of the parrot'', is a collection of stories originally written in Sanskrit. The stories are supposed to be narrated to a woman by her pet parrot, at the rate of one story every night, in order to dissuade her from ...
'' are told to children for generations. The current form of children's literature started after the education in Gujarati was aligned to western pattern in 1826 during
British Raj The British Raj ( ; from Hindustani language, Hindustani , 'reign', 'rule' or 'government') was the colonial rule of the British The Crown, Crown on the Indian subcontinent, * * lasting from 1858 to 1947. * * It is also called Crown rule ...
. The Native Schools and Books Society established in
Bombay Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial centre, financial capital and the list of cities i ...
in 1820 had published books for new schools. They were for co-curriculum reading. Initial works in Gujarati children's literature were translations and adaptations. In 1826, Bapulal Shastri Pandya translated ''
Aesop's Fables Aesop's Fables, or the Aesopica, is a collection of fables credited to Aesop, a Slavery in ancient Greece, slave and storyteller who lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 564 Before the Common Era, BCE. Of varied and unclear origins, the stor ...
'' in Gujarati as ''Aesop Nitikathao''. In next few years more translations of Aesop's Fables published. The ''
Gulliver's Travels ''Gulliver's Travels'', originally titled ''Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships'', is a 1726 prose satire by the Anglo-Irish writer and clerg ...
'' translated as ''Gulliverni Musafari''. In 1831, the two parts of ''Balamitra'' was published starting an era of current form of children's literature. It had poems, stories, anecdotes and jokes.
Ranchhodbhai Dave Ranchhodbhai Udayaram Dave (9 August 1837 – 9 April 1923) was a Gujarati playwright, producer and translator. He is considered the father of modern Gujarati theatre and plays in Gujarati literature. Biography He was born on 9 August 1837 in a ...
published ''Isapnitini Vato'' adapted from ''Aesop's Fables'' in 1859. The Bombay Education Society published four books in 1840; ''Shishusadbodhmala'', ''Balamitra'', ''Balasathi'' and ''Panch Pakhaon'' (''Panchapakhyana''); having poems, stories, anecdotes, biographies for children. Amichandra wrote ''Batrish Pultini Varta'' based on ''
Singhasan Battisi ''Singhasan Battisi'' is a collection of Indian folk tales. The title literally means "thirty-two (tales) of the throne". In the frame story, the 11th century king Bhoja discovers the throne of the legendary ancient king Vikramaditya. The throne ...
''. Initially there were translations of stories from classic Indian literature. ''Tunki Kahanio'' (1881) published by Anubhai Neelkanth had 118 translated stories. Hargovinddas Kantawala published adapted short stories ''Tachukadi So Vaat'' in six volumes. He also wrote novel regarding misrule of the foolish king in 1887. He also published ''Kanyavanchanamala'', the first book exclusively for girls.
Ichchharam Desai Ichharam Suryaram Desai (10 August 1853 – 5 December 1912), also known by his pen name, Shankar, was a Gujarati language, Gujarati author, anthologist and journalist. Though he did not complete his primary education, he worked with several newsp ...
translated '' Evenings at Home'' as ''Balako No Anand'' (1895). He also wrote ''Ghashiram Kotwal'' (1903) based on Ghashiram from Maratha history. Jaysukhlal Joshipura adapted ''
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (also known as ''Alice in Wonderland'') is an 1865 English Children's literature, children's novel by Lewis Carroll, a mathematics university don, don at the University of Oxford. It details the story of a ...
'' as ''Alka no Adbhut Pravas''. Narayan Hemchandra wrote ''Mahabharat Ni Vartao'' (1904) based on events from the epic ''
Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kuru ...
''. Manchharam Ghelaram edited a collection of tales, ''Murakho'', the fool, which was a theme on which several others had written. Sharda Mehta published ''Puranvarta Sangraha'' (1906) based on mythological tales from
Purana Puranas (Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature
(1995 Editio ...
. Kalyanrag Joshi published ''Deshdeshni Vato'' (1914) and ''Vigyan ni Vato'' (1914) about worldview and science respectively. The original children's literature rapidly expanded due to efforts of
Gijubhai Badheka Gijubhai Badheka (15 November 1885 – 23 June 1939) was an educator who helped to introduce Montessori education methods to India. He is referred to as "Moochhali Maa" ("mother with whiskers"). Badheka was a high court lawyer, however, follow ...
who was actively involved in reforms in children's education. He started the musical literature for children and is considered the father of children's literature in Gujarati. He published five books in 1922 and later cofounded a school, Dakshinamoorti, in
Bhavnagar Bhavnagar is a city and the headquarters of Bhavnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was founded in 1723 by Bhavsinhji Gohil. It was the capital of Bhavnagar State, which was a princely state before it was merged into the Dominion ...
which published large number of books for children. He was joined by Jugatram Dave, Taraben Modak, Mulshankar Bhatt, Vishnu Trivedi, Harbhai Trivedi, Ramnarayan Pathak, and several others.
Nanabhai Bhatt Nanabhai Bhatt (12 June 1915 – 24 April 1999) was an Indian film director and producer who worked in Hindi cinema, Hindi and Gujarati cinema. He is known for making over a hundred fantasy and mythological films, including ''Mr. X'' (1957), ' ...
published stories based on characters from ''
Ramayana The ''Ramayana'' (; ), also known as ''Valmiki Ramayana'', as traditionally attributed to Valmiki, is a smriti text (also described as a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic) from ancient India, one of the two important epics ...
'' and ''Mahabharata'' as well as ''Hindu Dharma ni Akhyayikao'' for
young adults In medicine and the social sciences, a young adult is generally a person in the years following adolescence, sometimes with some overlap. Definitions and opinions on what qualifies as a young adult vary, with works such as Erik Erikson's stages ...
. Mulshankar Bhatt translated
science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...
al
adventure novel Adventure fiction is a type of fiction that usually presents danger, or gives the reader a sense of excitement. Some adventure fiction also satisfies the literary definition of romance fiction. History In the introduction to the ''Encycloped ...
s by
Jules Verne Jules Gabriel Verne (;''Longman Pronunciation Dictionary''. ; 8 February 1828 – 24 March 1905) was a French novelist, poet and playwright. His collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the ''Voyages extraor ...
in Gujarati. He wrote ''Sahsikoni Shrusti'', a simplified version of Jules Verne's ''
The Mysterious Island ''The Mysterious Island'' () is a novel by Jules Verne, serialised from August 1874 to September 1875 and then published in book form in November 1875. The first edition, published by Hetzel, contains illustrations by Jules Férat. The novel i ...
'', and ''Khajanani Shodhma'', a simplified version of
Stevenson Stevenson is an English language patronymic surname meaning "son of Steven". Its first historical record is from pre-10th-century England. Another origin of the name is as a toponymic surname related to the place Stevenstone in Devon, England. The ...
's ''
Treasure Island ''Treasure Island'' (originally titled ''The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys''Hammond, J. R. 1984. "Treasure Island." In ''A Robert Louis Stevenson Companion'', Palgrave Macmillan Literary Companions. London: Palgrave Macmillan. .) is an adventure a ...
''. Dakshinamoorti published more than 150 children's books. Natvarlal Malvi and Ishwarlal Vimavala established ''Gandiv'' in
Surat Surat (Gujarati Language, Gujarati: ) is a city in the western Indian States and territories of India, state of Gujarat. The word Surat directly translates to ''face'' in Urdu, Gujarati language, Gujarati and Hindi. Located on the banks of t ...
which published works for young-adults. They published illustrated 30 stories of popular anthropomorphic animal character ''
Bakor Patel Bakor Patel is children's literature character created by Hariprasad Vyas for talking animal stories. The stories were published in ''Gandiv'', a children's biweekly in Gujarati language by Gandiv Sahitya Mandir, Surat, Gujarat, India. The humoro ...
'' created by
Hariprasad Vyas Hariprasad Maniray Vyas (16 June 1909 – 13 July 1980) was a Gujarati humorist and author of children's literature. Life Hariprasad Vyas was born on 16 June 1909 in Bodka village near Vadodara, Gujarat. He passed matriculation in 1921 in Vadoda ...
. Other major authors were Kaushiram Pandya, Chhaganlal Pandya, Chimanlal Bhatt, Dhirajlal Shah, Manubhai Jodhani, Dhumketu, Tarachandra Adalja, Bhimbhai Desai, Subhadra Gandhi, Bhikhabhai Vyas,
Jaybhikhkhu Balabhai Virchand Desai, better known by his pen name Jaybhikhkhu, was a Gujarati language, Gujarati novelist, short story writer, playwright, essayist, and biographer from Gujarat, India. He is known for his historical novels. Biography Jay ...
, Himmatlal Shah, Niranjan Varma and Prasannavadan Dixit. Bholashankar Vyas wrote humorous stories for children. Ratilal Nanabhai Tanna, Vasant Nayak and Mahesh 'Mast Fakir' also wrote several stories. ''Foram Lahario'' by Sharda Prasad Varma and ''Vanarsena ni Vato'' by Keshav Prasad Desai were also published. Ramanlal N. Shah, Sumati Patel and Nagardas Patel published some stories under title of ''Baljeevan'' and ''Balvinod''.
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. The writer of "''mor bani than ghat kare"'', the most popular Gujar ...
also wrote some patriotic stories for children. Hansa Jivraj Mehta wrote ''Balvartavali'', ''Arun Nu Adbhut Swapna'', ''Baval Na Parakramo''. Chandrashankar Bhatt published ''Balmitra'' which published stories which were later collected as ''Balmitra Ni Vato'', ''Sindbad Sheth'', ''Kumar Veersen''. Two major authors who published extensively in children's literature were Ramanlal Soni and
Jivram Joshi Jivram Bhavanishankar Joshi (6 July 1905 – 2004) was Gujarati language writer of children's literature. Biography He was born on 6 July 1905 at Garani village near Jasdan in Amreli district then under Baroda State of Gujarat to Santokben and ...
who contributed for more than five decades. Ramanlal Joshi created ''Galbo Shiyal'' and associated animal stories. For example, his ''Mangalu'' was popular among children. Jivram Joshi created several popular characters including
Miya Fuski Miya Fuski is a fictional character created by Jivram Joshi for children's literature in Gujarati language. He is mostly accompanied by his friend, Tabha Bhatt. Both characters were inspired by the people of Kashi during Joshi's stay there. Joshi ...
, Chhel-Chhabo, Chhako-Mako, Adukiyo-Dadukiyo. Other popular character based stories were ''Bogho'' of Harshad Patel, ''Vinu'' of Navalkant Bhavsar, ''Venakaka'' of Juga Pandya, ''Fatubha Fankda Na Parakramo'' by Manubhai Shah, ''Shekhchalli'' of Jaymalla Parmar, ''Akkad ane Fakkad'' of Narad, ''Budhiyo'' of Madhusudan Parekh, ''Soti and Pothi'' of Dhananjay Shah, ''Miyalabbe'' of Chandrkant Amin and ''Muchhala Menamasi'' of Dhiraj Brahmabhatt. In the field of
science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...
, Shrikant Trivedi, Harish Nayak, Yashwant Mehta, Dhirajlal Gajjar, Ratilal Nayak, Kanaiyalal Ramanuj, Girish Ganatra, Rajni Vyas, Suresh Jethna,
Nagendra Vijay Nagendra Vijay (born 15 December 1944) is an Indian science writer in Gujarati language. He is a son of pioneering journalist and science writer Vijaygupta Maurya. He founded the first science magazine in the Gujarati language called Scope and w ...
, Yashwant Kadikar, Kishor Pandya, Nagin Modi, Bipin Patel, Ishwar Parmar, Sakalchand Saheb contributed. The stories based on ''Panchtantra'', ''Hitopadesha'', ''
Akbar Akbar (Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, – ), popularly known as Akbar the Great, was the third Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1556 to 1605. Akbar succeeded his father, Humayun, under a regent, Bairam Khan, who helped the young emperor expa ...
-
Birbal Mahesh Das (; 1528 16 February 1586), popularly known by his title Rajah Birbal (), was an Indian minister and commander of the Mughal Empire. He is mostly known in the Indian subcontinent for the folk tales which focus on his wit. He was app ...
'' folk tales, Mulla Nasiruddin,
Tenali Rama Tenali Ramakrishna (born Garlapati Ramakrishna; 22 September 1480 – 5 August 1528), also known as Tenali Ramalinga and Tenali Rama, was a telugu poet, scholar, and advisor in the court of Sri Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire. Hail ...
are frequently translated and written by various authors over the years. Popular works from world literature such as ''
Tarzan Tarzan (John Clayton, Viscount Greystoke) is a fictional character, a feral child raised in the African jungle by the Mangani great apes; he later experiences civilization, only to reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer. Creat ...
'', ''
Hercules Hercules (, ) is the Roman equivalent of the Greek divine hero Heracles, son of Jupiter and the mortal Alcmena. In classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures. The Romans adapted the Gr ...
'', ''
Robinson Crusoe ''Robinson Crusoe'' ( ) is an English adventure novel by Daniel Defoe, first published on 25 April 1719. Written with a combination of Epistolary novel, epistolary, Confessional writing, confessional, and Didacticism, didactic forms, the ...
'', ''
Gulliver's Travels ''Gulliver's Travels'', originally titled ''Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships'', is a 1726 prose satire by the Anglo-Irish writer and clerg ...
'' are frequently adapted in Gujarati by various authors. In
animal fable An animal tale or beast fable generally consists of a short story or poem in which animals talk. They may exhibit other anthropomorphic qualities as well, such as living in a human-like society. It is a traditional form of allegorical writing. A ...
s, Ramanlal Soni,
Vijaygupta Maurya Vijaygupta Maurya (March 26, 1903 – July 10, 1992) was a pioneer science writer in Gujarati. He wrote thousands of articles popularising science as well as several books. Life Early life Vijaygupta Maurya was born Vijayshankar Murarji Vasu ...
, Manubhai Jodhani, Nanubhai Surati, Kanaiyalal Ramanuj, Harjivan Somaiya, Vasantlal Parmar contributed. ''Sarkas Doctor Na Romanchak Sahaso'' by
Vijaygupta Maurya Vijaygupta Maurya (March 26, 1903 – July 10, 1992) was a pioneer science writer in Gujarati. He wrote thousands of articles popularising science as well as several books. Life Early life Vijaygupta Maurya was born Vijayshankar Murarji Vasu ...
is noteworthy among them. Mukul Kalarthi,
Kumarpal Desai Kumarpal Balabhai Desai is an author, critic, editor, journalist, columnist and translator from Gujarat, India. He studied and later taught at the Gujarat University. He is associated with several social and Gujarati literary organisations such ...
, Mahendra Trivedi, Upendra Bhatt wrote large number of
fable Fable is a literary genre defined as a succinct fictional story, in prose or verse, that features animals, legendary creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature that are anthropomorphized, and that illustrates or leads to a parti ...
s. Several artist wrote or illustrated stories including
comics a Media (communication), medium used to express ideas with images, often combined with text or other visual information. It typically the form of a sequence of Panel (comics), panels of images. Textual devices such as speech balloons, Glo ...
and graphic stories.
Ravishankar Raval Ravishankar Raval (1892–1977) was a painter, art teacher, art critic, journalist and essayist from Gujarat, India. He worked for the magazine ''Vismi Sadi'' until it closed in 1921, and then founded the cultural magazine '' Kumar''. Life Rav ...
,
Somalal Shah Somalal Shah (14 February 1905–1994) was an Indian painter and art teacher. Born in Kapadvanj and educated in Bombay and Calcutta, he spent three decades painting and teaching art in Bhavnagar in Saurashtra, Gujarat. Early life Shah was born to ...
, Rajni Vyas, Chakor,
Abid Surti Abid Surti or Aabid Surti (born 5 May 1935) is an Indian painter, author, cartoonist, journalist, environmentalist, playwright and screenwriter. He was given a National Award by the government of India in 1993 for writing a series of short stor ...
, Natu Mistry, Ramesh Kothari, V. Ramanuj, Lalit Lad, Nirmal Sarteja, Deepak Thakor are notable among them. Some novels or novellas were also written for children. ''Gulabi Aarass Ni Laggi'' by
Harikrishna Pathak Harikrishna Pathak (5 August 1938 – 28 March 2025) was an Indian Gujarati-language poet, short story writer, editor and children's writer from Gujarat. Life and career Pathak was born on 5 August 1938 at Botad (now in Gujarat, India) to Mo ...
, ''Tilli'' by Mahendra Trivedi, ''Navjivan Shala'' by Madhav Desai, ''Durga No Deepak'' by Shraddha Trivedi, ''Varun Nu Soneri Swapna'' by Madhusudan Parekh, ''Prakash Na Parevada'' by Kanaiyalal Joshi, ''Khovayeli Duniyani Safare'' by Yashwant Mehta are some novels. Some women in the children's literature are Jagruti Ramanuj, Sulbha Depurkar, Usha Upadhyay, Aruna Mistry, Lata Hirani, Bepsy Engineer, Kalindi Parikh, Neha Kansara, Pushpa Antani, Neeta Ramaiya and Tarlika Mehta. In recent times, the large number of classic adventure novels from the world literature are translated and published in Gujarati.


Children's poetry

;Very young children's poetry The poetry for very young children include
lullaby A lullaby (), or a cradle song, is a soothing song or piece of music that is usually played for (or sung to) children (for adults see music and sleep). The purposes of lullabies vary. In some societies, they are used to pass down cultural knowl ...
,
rhyme A rhyme is a repetition of similar sounds (usually the exact same phonemes) in the final Stress (linguistics), stressed syllables and any following syllables of two or more words. Most often, this kind of rhyming (''perfect rhyming'') is consciou ...
s,
riddle A riddle is a :wikt:statement, statement, question, or phrase having a double or veiled meaning, put forth as a puzzle to be solved. Riddles are of two types: ''enigmas'', which are problems generally expressed in metaphorical or Allegory, alleg ...
s. ''Halarda'' (1928) is a collection of lullabies by
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. The writer of "''mor bani than ghat kare"'', the most popular Gujar ...
. Keshavlal Parikh published collection of riddles, ''Koyada Sangrah'' (1870). ''Kavtuka Samgraha'' (1885) and ''Padshah are Leva'' (1886) are published by
Parsi The Parsis or Parsees () are a Zoroastrian ethnic group in the Indian subcontinent. They are descended from Persian refugees who migrated to the Indian subcontinent during and after the Arab-Islamic conquest of Iran in the 7th century, w ...
writer Marzban. The first deals with general knowledge in light manner while the second present it in puzzle format. Gijubhai Badheka published a collection of rhymes, ''Jodakna'' (1937) selected from folk literature. Deshalji Parmar was a major contributor of original rhymes. His rhyme collection ''Galgoato'' (1930) is notable. Kanji Kalidas Joshi had edited ''Bal Ukhana'' (1929) which is the book of riddles published before the
independence of India The Indian independence movement was a series of historic events in South Asia with the ultimate aim of ending British Raj, British colonial rule. It lasted until 1947, when the Indian Independence Act 1947 was passed. The first nationalistic ...
. Other books for very young include ''Mitro Na Jodakna'' (1993) by
Dhiruben Patel Dhiruben Gordhanbhai Patel (29 May 1926 – 10 March 2023) was an Indian novelist, playwright and translator. Life Dhiruben Gordhanbhai Patel was born on 29 May 1926 in Baroda (now Vadodara, Gujarat) to Gordhanbhai Patel, a journalist with t ...
, ''Pappa No Thappo'' (1992) by Badal, ''Jodakna Ni Maja'' (1993), ''Sarvariya'' (1980) and ''Zagmagiya'' (1983) by Amritlal Parekh, ''Tari Mari Doreli'' (1988) and ''Pandade Podhya Patangiya'' (1998) by Dhansukhlal Parekh. ;Children's poetry Gujarati children's poetry started as an educational instrument. In 1848,
Dalpatram Dalpatram Dahyabhai Travadi (21 January 1820 – 25 March 1898) was a Gujarati language poet during 19th century in India. He was the father of Nanalal Dalpatram Kavi, a poet. He led social reform movements in Ahmedabad, and wrote articles aga ...
wrote humorous children's poetry from inspiration from earlier fables. When new education department was formed by the British authorities, he had edited series of new Gujarati textbooks under leadership of
Theodore Hope Sir Theodore Cracraft Hope (9 December 1831 – 4 July 1915), often referred to as T. C. Hope, was a British born civil servant of the Government of India. His duties included Public Works, and he was an active layman of the Anglican Church. ...
. His was perhaps the first original writing for children in Gujarati which also included first children's poem. His ''Andheri Nagari Ne Gandu Raja'', ''Dayali Ma'', ''Sharanaivalo'' and ''Unt Na Adhar Ang Vanka'' are notable among them. These poems has simple story; simple tune, words and rhymes; message with humour. In 1866,
Navalram Pandya Navalram Laxmiram Pandya (9 March 1836 – 7 August 1888) was a Gujarati critic, playwright, poet, essayist, editor, educationist and a social reformer. He is considered to be a most important figure in modern Gujarati literature. The first humor ...
had written garba songs for children which were published in ''Shalapatra'' and later as ''Bal Garbavali''. One song of it ''Janavarni Jan'' became very popular.
Nhanalal Nanalal Dalpatram Kavi (16 March 1877 – 9 January 1946) was an Indian writer and poet in Gujarati language of Gujarati literature. His name is sometimes spelled as Nhanalal. Biography Nanalal was born on 16 March 1877 in Ahmedabad as the fo ...
also wrote poetry for children. His ''Ganya Ganay Nahi, Vinya Vinay Nahi'' is popular among children. ''Balakavya'' (1915) by Krishnaprasad Bhatt had poems with natural rhymes. ''Ajab Jevi Vaat Chhe'' by Upendracharyaji was very popular. Himmatlal Anjariya published a poetry collection ''Madhubindu'' (1915). Tribhuvan Vyas wrote ''Nava Geeto'' (1929) and ''Gunjarava'' (1941) focused on natural elements such as river, hills, rain and sea.
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. The writer of "''mor bani than ghat kare"'', the most popular Gujar ...
published poetry collections; ''Veni Na Phool'' (1931) and ''Killol'' (1932). His ''Kaludi Kutari'' was popular. His poems ''Charankanya'' and ''Shivaji Nu Halardu'' are also notable. His poems were simple and effective.
Tribhuvandas Luhar Tribhuvandas Purushottamdas Luhar, better known by his pen name Sundaram, (22 March 1908 – 13 January 1991), was a Gujarati poet and author from India. Life He was born on 22 March 1908 at Miyan Matar, Bharuch, Bombay Presidency, Briti ...
'Sundaram' published poetry collection ''Rang Rang Vadaliya'' (1939), ''Chak Chak Chakla'', ''Aa Avya Patangiya'' and ''Gato Gato Jay Kanaiyo''. These all are collections are published in a single volume ''Samagra Balkavita'' (2005). Educationists
Gijubhai Badheka Gijubhai Badheka (15 November 1885 – 23 June 1939) was an educator who helped to introduce Montessori education methods to India. He is referred to as "Moochhali Maa" ("mother with whiskers"). Badheka was a high court lawyer, however, follow ...
and
Nanabhai Bhatt Nanabhai Bhatt (12 June 1915 – 24 April 1999) was an Indian film director and producer who worked in Hindi cinema, Hindi and Gujarati cinema. He is known for making over a hundred fantasy and mythological films, including ''Mr. X'' (1957), ' ...
established the children's literature in its true understanding and as the foundation of the education and moral development. Their scientific methods in education and children's literature were appreciated. Harbhai Trivedi, Taraben and Monghiben continued their tradition.
Chandravadan Mehta Chandravadan Chimanlal Mehta (6 April 1901 – 4 May 1991), popularly known as C. C. Mehta or Chan. Chi. Mehta, was a Gujarati playwright, theatre critic, bibliographer, poet, story writer, autobiographer, travel writer and broadcaster from Vadod ...
wrote ''Chandapoli'' and ''Dudhna Dana''. Somabhai Bhavsar wrote a collection of rhymes ''Kharek Topara'' and three other collections; ''Gunjan'' (1939), ''Bham'' (1951) and ''Chagdol'' (1961). In 1960, he also edited three anthologies of singable children's poems. ''Balako Na Geeto'', ''Magodi No Pipudivalo'', ''Pagala'', ''Madh No Ladvo'', ''Kashi No Pandit'' are the collections by Ramanlal Soni. They were published in 1979. Snehrashmi wrote popular prayer ''Namie Tujne Varamvar''. He also experimented with ''
Haiku is a type of short form poetry that originated in Japan. Traditional Japanese haiku consist of three phrases composed of 17 Mora (linguistics), morae (called ''On (Japanese prosody), on'' in Japanese) in a 5, 7, 5 pattern; that include a ''kire ...
'' format. ''Tarapo'' (1980) and ''Ujani'' (1980) are his poetry collections. His experiences as a teacher and a poet are visible in his poems. His poems has tunes and rhymes which can be easily captured by children as well as they are singable; filled with imagination, inspiration and entertainment. After 1950, Rajendra Shah (''Morpichchh'', ''Ambe Avyo Mor'' and ''Roomzoom''),
Balmukund Dave Balmukund Dave (7 March 1916 – 28 February 1993) was an Indian Gujarati-language poet and journalist. Life Balmukund was born on 7 March 1916 in Mustupura in Vadodara district. He completed his primary education from Mustupura-Kukarwada Gujar ...
(''Allak Dallak'', ''Sonchampo''), ''Makarand Dave'' (Zabuk Vijali Zabuk'') also wrote children's poetry.
Suresh Dalal Suresh Parshottamdas Dalal, (11 October 1932 – 10 August 2012) was a Gujarati poet, essayist, litterateur and editor. Life Dalal was born on 11 October 1932 in Thane to Purushottamdas and Bhanumati. He completed B.A. in Gujarati in 1953 from ...
published more than dozen poetry collections including ''Ittakitta'' and ''Tingatoli'' (1976) in his three decade long career. According to
Harikrishna Pathak Harikrishna Pathak (5 August 1938 – 28 March 2025) was an Indian Gujarati-language poet, short story writer, editor and children's writer from Gujarat. Life and career Pathak was born on 5 August 1938 at Botad (now in Gujarat, India) to Mo ...
, Dalal brought children's poetry from its rural background to urban setup.
Ramesh Parekh Ramesh Parekh (1940-2006) was a Gujarati poet and lyricist from Gujarat, India. He was one of the most popular poets of modern Gujarati poetry. Though government servant by profession, he had deep interest in literature and music. He contribute ...
is prolific children's poet of modern era. His command on tune, novelty, amazement, imagination, teasing writing style are visible in his poetry. ''Hauk'' (1978), ''Chin'' (1980), ''Itta, Kitta Ane Buchcha'', ''Dariyo Zullam Zulla'', ''Hasie Khullam Khulla'' are his collections.
Chandrakant Sheth Chandrakant Sheth (3 February 1938 – 2 August 2024) was an Indian Gujarati poet, essayist, critic, translator and editor from Gujarat. His pen names include Aryaputra, Nand Samavedi, Balchadra and Daksh Prajapati. He won the Sahitya Akademi ...
's ''Chandaliyani Gadi'' (1980) depicts different styles of songs and different mentalities of children.
Harikrishna Pathak Harikrishna Pathak (5 August 1938 – 28 March 2025) was an Indian Gujarati-language poet, short story writer, editor and children's writer from Gujarat. Life and career Pathak was born on 5 August 1938 at Botad (now in Gujarat, India) to Mo ...
also captures amazement in his collection ''Koinu Kaink Khovay Chhe'' (1981). ''Tofan'' (1979) by Yoseph Macwan includes songs with catchy tunes. The poet Pinakin Trivedi, studied at
Santiniketan Shantiniketan (IPA: Help:IPA/Bengali, antiniketɔn is a neighbourhood of Bolpur town in the Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district in West Bengal, India, approximately 152 km north of Kolkata. It was established by Maharshi Devendra ...
, brought melody and rhymes of children's poetry by
Rabindranath Tagore Rabindranath Thakur (; anglicised as Rabindranath Tagore ; 7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941) was a Bengalis, Bengali polymath who worked as a poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer, and painter of the Bengal Renai ...
. Other children's poetry collections are ''Balshikshan Ni Garbavali'' by Gopalji Delwadakar, ''Kanya Garbavali'' and ''Balgeeto'' by Manishankar Dave, ''Bal Kavitao'' by Dhirajlal Bhatt, ''Gauri Na Geeto'' by Deshalji Parmar, ''Chalo Gaeye'' by Madhukant G. Mehta, ''Chandapoli'' by Vasant Nayak, ''Kilkilat'' by Jamubhai Dani, ''Naginavadi'' by Ramnik Aralvala, ''Chhbchhabiya'' by
Avinash Vyas Avinash Vyas was an Indian music composer, lyricist and singer of Gujarati films who composed music for over 190 Gujarati films. He was a winner of Gujarat State Film award for the best lyricist and best music 25 times. He was honoured by the ...
, ''Balkavya Mala'' by Viththalrai Avasthi, ''Balgeetavali'' by Keshav Sheth, ''Zulto Hathi'' by Pranshankar Upadhyay, ''Dada Ni Muchh'' by Shantikumar Pandya, ''Chanibor'' by Jugatram Dave. Several other poets also contributed including
Umashankar Joshi Umashankar Jethalal Joshi () (21 July 1911 – 19 December 1988) was an Indian poet, scholar and writer known for his contributions to Gujarati literature. He wrote most of his works in Gujarati. Biography Early years Umashankar Joshi was b ...
, Bhanuprasad Pandya, Suresh Majmudar, Pujalal Dalwadi, Rashid Munshi, Ravindra Thakor, Phillip Clerk, Raksha Dave, Kanti Kadia, Natwar Patel, Sushilaben Zaveri. Kirit Purohit experimented with
ghazal ''Ghazal'' is a form of amatory poem or ode, originating in Arabic poetry that often deals with topics of spiritual and romantic love. It may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss, or separation from the beloved, and t ...
while Harikrishna Pathak with
sonnet A sonnet is a fixed poetic form with a structure traditionally consisting of fourteen lines adhering to a set Rhyme scheme, rhyming scheme. The term derives from the Italian word ''sonetto'' (, from the Latin word ''sonus'', ). Originating in ...
. ''Ilakavyo'' by
Chandravadan Mehta Chandravadan Chimanlal Mehta (6 April 1901 – 4 May 1991), popularly known as C. C. Mehta or Chan. Chi. Mehta, was a Gujarati playwright, theatre critic, bibliographer, poet, story writer, autobiographer, travel writer and broadcaster from Vadod ...
; ''Janani Ni Jod Sakhi'' by
Damodar Botadkar Damodar Khushaldas Botadkar was a Gujarati language poet of early 20th century. Life Botadkar was born in Botad on 27 November 1870. He had primary education and started teaching at age of thirteen. He tried multiple businesses but failed. In 189 ...
; ''Bharat No Zando'' and ''Gunvanti Gujarat'' by
Ardeshar Khabardar Ardeshar Faramji Khabardar , also spelled Ardeshir Pharamji Khabardar, was a Parsi poet from India. He wrote mainly in Gujarati language, Gujarati but also in English language, English and Marathi language, Marathi. He wrote under the pen name Ad ...
and ''Lucy Grey'' by Viththalrai Avasthi are notable poems. Udayan Thakker has also published books on children's poetry.


Children's plays

Gijubhai Badheka published two volumes of children's plays through Dakshinamurti. Jugatram Dave wrote ''Andhala Nu Gadu'' and ''Galli Mari Ghrrr Jay''. Gandiv published several plays under ''Chalo Bhajavie'' series during the same period. Other notable plays are ''Rangtoran'' and ''Rangdwar'' etc. by
Jayanti Dalal Jayanti Ghelabhai Dalal (18 November 1909 – 24 August 1970) was an Indian author, publisher, stage actor, director and politician. Born in family of theatre organiser and involved in politics during and after independence of India, he was infl ...
; ''Ishwar Nu Mandir'' by Kismat Kureshi, ''Balko no Bandhav'' by Gaurishankar Chaturvedi, ''Antar Na Ajwala'' by Jethalal Chaudhri, ''Eklavya ane Biji Natikao'' by Pragji Dosa, ''Aa Rotli Kon Khashe?'' by Shanta Gandhi and ''Asman Ni Chilli'' by Leena Mangaldas.


Biographies

The children's literature in Gujarati is rich with biographies. Pranlal Mathurdas and Anandrav Champaji translated Robertson as ''Columbus No Vrutant'' in 1839 which was the first translated biography but is not targeted for children. Gijubhai Badheka published ''Kathanatya Granthmala'' which included biographies of ''Shivaji Maharaj'', ''Buddhacharitra'', ''Harishchandra'', ''Gopichand'' etc. Jugatram Dave published ''Balko Na Gandhiji'' focused on
Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2October 186930January 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalism, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethics, political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful Indian ...
. Dhirajlal Bhatt published several biographies under ''Adarsh Charitavali''. ''Sayaji Balgyanmala'' is a series written by several authors focused on historical figures and patriots. The historical characters such as Mahatma Gandhi,
Vinoba Bhave Vinayak Narahar Bhave, also known as Vinoba Bhave (; 11 September 1895 – 15 November 1982), was an Indian advocate of nonviolence and human rights. Often called ''Acharya'' (Teacher in Sanskrit), he is best known for the Bhoodan Movement. He ...
,
Shivaji Shivaji I (Shivaji Shahaji Bhonsale, ; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680) was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle dynasty. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the Sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of the ...
, Vivekanand,
Ramakrishna Ramakrishna (18 February 1836 – 16 August 1886——— —), also called Ramakrishna Paramahansa (; ; ), born Ramakrishna Chattopadhay,M's original Bengali diary page 661, Saturday, 13 February 1886''More About Ramakrishna'' by Swami Prab ...
,
Lal Bahadur Shastri Lal Bahadur Shastri (; born Lal Bahadur Srivastava; 2 October 190411 January 1966) was an Indian politician and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of India, prime minister of India from 1964 to 1966. He previously served as Minister ...
are also appear as biographical stories frequently.


Publications

The children's magazine played important role for spread and popularity of children's literature. ''Satyoday'' (1862) was the first children's magazine in Gujarati. Other magazines were ''Baloday'' (1877), ''Balmitra'' (1879), ''Balgyanvardhak'' (1882), ''Balshikshak'' (1911), ''Balako No Bandhu'' (1912), ''Balak'' (1923), ''Gandiv'' (1925), ''Balwadi'' (1927), ''Balodhyan'' (1931), ''Kishor'' (1935), ''Balsakha'' (1937), ''Baljagat'' (1939), ''Vidyarthi'' (1941), ''Ramakadu'' (1949), ''Zagmag'' (1952), ''Balsandesh'' (1952), ''Balkanaiyo'' (1954), ''
Chandamama ''Chandamama'' was a classic Indian monthly magazine for children, known for its illustrations and long-running mythological and magical stories. Originally launched in Telugu language, Telugu by Aluri Chakrapani, Chakrapani and Nagi Reddi, ...
'' (1954), ''Rasranjan'' (1958), ''Sabras'' (1962), ''Rasvinod'' (1965), ''Baldakshina'' (1966), ''Fulwadi'' (1967), ''Pagalee'' (1968), ''Chandapoli'' (1968), ''Suman Sanskar'' (1977), ''Bulbul'' (1977), ''Balmasti'' (1979), ''Nayak'' (1979), ''Vandarful'' (1981), ''Safai'' (1981), ''Balako Nu Chhapu'' (1983), ''Chamak'' (1984), ''Chi'' (1984), ''Flower Pot'' (1984), ''Chitrakatha'' (1986), ''Tintin'' (1987), ''Mini Chocolate'' (1987), ''Rasvinod'' (1990), ''
Champak Champak is a popular fortnightly magazine for children published by the Delhi Press Group since 1969 in India. ''Champak'' competes with Amar Chitra Katha Amar Chitra Katha (ACK Comics) is an Indian comic book publisher, based in Mumbai, ...
'' (1991), ''
Tinkle ''Tinkle'' is an Indian weekly magazine for children in English, published from Mumbai. Originally owned by the India Book House, the Tinkle brand was acquired by ACK (Amar Chitra Katha) Media in 2007. The magazine contains comics, stories, ...
'' (1991), ''Tamtam'' (1991), ''Varta Re Varta'' (1991). All major Gujarati newspapers publishes supplements dedicated to children every week including ''Zagmag'' by ''
Gujarat Samachar The ''Gujarat Samachar'' is the leading 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, Bh ...
'', ''Balsandesh'' by '' Sandesh'', ''Bal Bhaskar'' by ''
Divya Bhaskar ''Divya Bhaskar'' () is a Gujarati newspaper in Gujarat, India, owned by D B Corp Ltd. It is one of the highest circulation Gujarati dailies. With the most local editions in Gujarat, it is published from Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, J ...
''.


References

;Citations ;Bibliography * * *


Further reading

*


External links

* {{Gujarati language Indian children's literature Gujarati literature