Kumarpal Balabhai Desai is an author, critic, editor, journalist, columnist and translator from
Gujarat
Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, 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 List of states and union territories ...
, 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 post graduate level. It is accredited A+ by NAAC ...
. 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 and ...
. 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 whose three main pillars are nonviolence (), asceticism (), and a rejection of all simplistic and one-sided views of truth and reality (). Jainism traces its s ...
. He was awarded the
Padma Shri
The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), 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. In ...
in 2004.
Early life

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. He joined H. K. Arts College. He completed
BA and
MA in 1963 and 1965 respectively from
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 post graduate level. It is accredited A+ by NAAC ...
with Gujarati as a major subject.
[
]
Academic career
Desai joined Navgujarat College in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad ( ), also spelled 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 ...
as a professor in 1965. He was awarded PhD in 1980 for his thesis on Anandghan 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 191 ...
. 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. 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. The writer of "''mor bani than ghat kare"'', the most popular Gujar ...
, 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), Saurashtra region, near Mahuva, Bhavnagar, Mahuva in th ...
. His first book ''Vatan, Tara Ratan'' when he was in college. In 1962, he started writing a column in ''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 ...
'' and his first book, a children's biography, ''Lal Gulab'' on 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 ...
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 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 and ...
. 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 () or Gujarat Sahitya Academy, established in 1981, is a government institution dedicated to the development of the languages spoken in Gujarat, India and their literature. Gujarati, an official language of Gujarat, i ...
. He is the Managing Trustee for the Institute of Jainology, India and Director of the Gujarati Vishwakosh
''Gujarati Vishwakosh'' (; ) is an encyclopedia in Gujarati language, Gujarati, one of the Official languages of india, official languages of India, published by Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It can be considered the fi ...
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 ''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 ...
''.
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 (, un̪t̪iː ), also known as Pritha (, ">r̩t̪ʰaː/nowiki>, ), is a prominent female character in the ancient Hindu epic '' Mahabharata''. She is chiefly recognised as the mother of the central characters—the five Pandavas—h ...
, a character from the Hindu 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 ...
.
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 ]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 ...
, 1966), ''Veer Rammurti'' (1976), ''Afatoni Andhi Vachche Samruddhi Nu Shikhar'' (2000), ''Balakona Buddhisagarsurishwarji'' (on Buddhisagarsuri, 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's play, ''The Bride'' as ''Navavadhu'' (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.[
]
English and Hindi
He has written several books in English, mostly related to Jainism. His works include ''Stories 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) and ''Anandghan'' (2006) are in Hindi.
On Jainism
Desai is an expert of Indian culture, Jainism
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion whose three main pillars are nonviolence (), asceticism (), and a rejection of all simplistic and one-sided views of truth and reality (). Jainism traces its s ...
and Jain literature
Jain literature () 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 canonical ''Jain Agamas'', which are wri ...
. He regularly delivers lectures on Jain philosophy and Indian culture in India and abroad.
His books on Jainism include ''Anandghan – A Study'' (1980, on Anandghan), ''Stabak by Gyanvimalsuri'' (1988), ''Activities of Jain religion in the last decade'' (1988), ''Literary Achievements of Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandracharya'' (1988, on Hemchandra
Hemacandra was a 12th century () Śvetāmbara Jaina ācārya, scholar, poet, mathematician, philosopher, yogi, grammarian, law theorist, historian, lexicographer, rhetorician, logician, and prosodist. Noted as a prodigy by his contempora ...
), ''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 (Devanagari: महावीर, ), also known as Vardhamana (Devanagari: वर्धमान, ), was the 24th ''Tirthankara'' (Supreme Preacher and Ford Maker) of Jainism. Although the dates and most historical details of his lif ...
), ''Bhagwan Rishabhdev – Life and teachings of the First Tirthankar of religion (on Rishabhadeva
Rishabhanatha (Devanagari: ऋषभनाथ), also Rishabhadeva (Devanagari: ऋषभदेव, ), Rishabha (Devanagari: ऋषभ, ) or Ikshvaku (Devanagari: इक्ष्वाकु, ''Ikṣvāku''), is the first (Supreme preacher) ...
). (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'', Devanagari: मल्लिनाथ, Sanskrit: मल्लिनाथः, 'Lord of jasmine or seat') was the 19th Tirthankara, tīrthaṅkara "ford-maker" of the Jain cosmology#Time cycle, present ''avasa ...
), ''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, ''Ratnatrayi Na Aajwala'', ''Samayik Sutra with explanation'', ''Atmavallabh Smaranika''.
Awards
He was awarded the Padma Shri
The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), 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. In ...
, 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 (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 the Government ...
(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 a ...
(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 off ...
for his contribution in Gujarati children's literature.
Personal life
Desai married Pratima and has two sons, Kaushal and Nirav.
See also
* List of Gujarati-language writers
The following is an alphabetical list of Gujarati writers who has contributed in Gujarati literature; presenting an overview of notable authors, journalists, novelists, playwrights, poets and screenwriters who have released literary works in the Gu ...
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Desai, Kumarpal
Writers from Gujarat
Living people
Academic staff of Gujarat University
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
Presidents of the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad