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 Gujarati song. He was born in a Jain family in Chotila where the Government College has been renamed for this literary figure as Raashtreeya Shaayar Zaverchand Meghani College, Chotila.

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 ...

spontaneously gave him the title of ''Raashtreeya Shaayar'' (Poet Lauret). Besides this he received many awards like Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak and ''Mahida Paaritoshik'' in literature. He authored more than 100 books. His first book was a translation work of

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 ...

's called ''Kathaa-u-Kaahinee'' titled ''Kurbani Ni Katha'' (Stories of martyrdom) which was first published in 1922. 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 Phulchhab Newspaper of Janmabhoomi group (which is being published till date from Rajkot). A sample of his collection of folk tales from Saurashtra has recently been published in English, with the translation done by his son Vinod Meghani. The three volumes published so far are titled ''A Noble Heritage'', ''A Shade Crimson'' and ''The Ruby Shattered''. His poems are taught as a part of syllabus in Gujarat Board Schools (GSEB).

Life

Jhaverchand Meghani was born in Chotila, Gujarat to Kalidas and Dholima Meghani. His father Kalidas worked in the Police force and hence was often transferred to new places causing most of Jhaverchand's education to happen in Rajkot. He had two brothers Lalchand and Prabhashankar. He was married to a woman named Damyanti at the age of 24 and following the demise of his wife, he married Chitradevi at the age of 36. He had 9 children out of which 3 were girls namely Indu, Padmala and Murli, while 6 were boys, namely Mahendra, Mastan, Nanak, Vinod, Jayant and Ashok.

Early life

He lived a simple and sober life and his simplicity prompted his college mates to call him ''Raja Janak''. He habitually wore a white long coat, a dhoti reaching well down the knees and a turban typically tied around his head. He finished his matriculation in 1912 and completed his BA in 1917. He started his career in

Kolkata Kolkata, also known as Calcutta ( its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary ...

and joined Jeevanlal and Co. in 1918 as Personal Assistant and was fondly called ''Paghadee Babu'' by his colleagues and workers alike. He was soon promoted as the Manager of the company's factory at Belur, Crown Aluminium. In 1919, he went to England for a four-month tour. After coming back to India, he continued to work in

for 2 and half-years. Later, he returned to Saurashtra and joined the editorial board of the weekly '' Saurashtra'' at Rajkot in 1922.

Contribution to the freedom struggle

In 1930, he was sentenced to 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 against the

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 ...

. It is during this time that he wrote ''Kavya Triputi'' based on Gandhiji's visit to London for the Round Table conference. During this period, he also started writing short stories independently and served as editor for '' Phoolchaab'' magazine.Zaverchand Meghani
Sangeet Bhavan trust. Retrieved on 27 November 2018.

Publications

In 1926, he ventured into poetry with his book of children poems ''Veni Na Phool'' and started writing in Janmabhumi under the column ''Kalam Ane Kitaab''. He established his reputation as a critic by his independent novels. In 1936, he became the editor of ''Phoolchaab''. In 1942, he ventured into publishing with his book ''Marela Na Rudhir''. In 1945, after retiring from ''Phoolchaab'', he concentrated on personal writing. In 1946, his book ''Mansai Na Deeva'' was awarded the ''Mahida Award''. The same year, he was elected to head the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad's Sahitya Section. In 1929, he gave 6 lectures for ''Gyan Prasarak Mandali''. He also lectured at Santiniketan owing to his long association with

. Meghani was also known as a Manbhatt poet due to his significant contribution to folk ballads. A movie song ''Man Mor Bani Thangat Kare'' in the 2013 Hindi film Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela is written by him.

Folklores

* Doshi Ni Vato * Sorathi Baharvatiya * Sorathi Baharvatiya 3–1929 * Saurashtra Ni Rasdhar 1 * Saurashtra Ni Rasdhar 2 * Saurashtra Ni Rasdhar 3 * Saurashtra Ni Rasdhar 4 * Saurashtra Ni Rasdhar 5 * Kankavati 1–1927 * Kankavati 2–1928 * Dadaji Ni Vato * Sorthi Santo-1928 * Sorthi Geetkathao-1931 * Puratan Jyot-1938 * Rang Che Barot-1945 * Loksahitya-1939 * Pagandino Panth-1942 * Charano Ane Charani Sahitya-1943 * Dhartinu Dhavan-1944 * Loksahitya Nu Samalochan-1946

Poems

* ''Veni Na Phool'' (1927) * ''Killol'' (1930) * ''Sindhudo'' (1930) * ''Yugvandana'' (1935) * ''Ektaro'' (1940) * ''Bapuna Parna'' (1943) * ''Ravindra Veena'' (1944) * ''Midnight Lace'' (1946)

Folk Songs

* Radhiyali Raat 1–1925 * Radhiyali Raat 2–1925 * Radhiyali Raat 3–1927 * Radhiyali Raat 4–1942 * Chundadi 1–1928 * Chundadi 2–1929 * Rutugeeto-1929 * Halarda-1929 * Sorthi Santvani-1947 * Sorthiya Duha-1947

Drama

* Rano Pratap (Translation)-1923 * Raja Rani-1924 * Shah Jahan (Translation)-1927 * Vanthela-1933

Travelogue

* Saurashtrana Khandaroma-1928 * Sorathne Tire Tire-1933 * Parkamma-1946 * Chellu Prayan-1947

Short stories

* Kurbani Ni Kathao-1922 * Chinta Na Angara 1–1931 * Chinta Na Angara 2–1932 * * Dariyaparna Bahrvatiya-1932 * Pratimao-1932 * * Dhup Chaya-1935 * Meghanini Navlikao 1 and 2–1942 * Vilopan-1946 * Anu nam te dhani

Novels

* * ''Niranjan'' * ''Vasundharana Vahala Davla'' * ''Sorath, Tara Vaheta Pani'' * Samarangan-1928 * * Vevishal * ''Ra Gangajaliyo''-1 * ''Ra Gangajaliyo'' -2 * ''Bidela Dwar'' * Gujaratno Jay 1–1940 * Gujaratno Jay 2–1942 * Tulsi Kyaro-1940 * * Kalchakra-1947 * Garvi Gujarat

Biography

* Annie Besant-1927 * Hungary no Taaranahaar-1927 * Narvir Lalaji-1927 * Satyavir Shradhdhanand-1927 * Sorathee Santo-1928 * Puraatan Jyot −1938 * Thakkar Bapa-1939 * Akbar Ni Yaadma-1942 * Aapnu Ghar-1942 * Panch Varas Na Pankhida-1942 * Marelana Rudhir-1942 * Aapna Gharni Vadhu Vato-1943 * Dayanand Sarasvati-1944 * * Sant Deveedaas-1946 * Vasant-Rajab Smaarak Granth-1947

References

External links

* * *
aksharnaad.com – Some of Shri Jhaverchand Meghani's works for free download as an ebook

meghani.com – a Gujarati website principally aimed at providing information about Meghani's literary contributions
{{DEFAULTSORT:Meghani, Jhaverchand Poets from Gujarat Indian male poets 1896 births 1947 deaths Gujarati-language writers Gujarati-language poets Indian independence activists from Gujarat Indian social reformers 20th-century Indian poets Prisoners and detainees of British India People from Surendranagar district People from Botad Recipients of the Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak Indian historical novelists 20th-century Indian short story writers 20th-century Indian novelists Novelists from Gujarat 20th-century Indian male writers Translators of Rabindranath Tagore