Manubhai Pancholi

Manubhai Pancholi Biography

Manubhai Pancholi was a noted writer of Gujarati literature who wrote with the pen name, Darshak. One of the well-known novelists of his time in the 20^th century, he also participated in India’s Freedom struggle movement. He was also known as educationalist, who held several offices after independence. An accomplished social worker, he was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1991 for his work in public affairs. He along with Nanabhai Bhatt founded Lokbharti Gramvidyapith institute at Sanosara in 1953.

For his literal career too, he has own several major awards. Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak in 1964, Gujarati Sahitya Akademi Award for Socrates in 1975, Bharatiya Jnanpith Moortidevi Award for Zer To Pidha Chhe Jani Jani in 1987, Saraswati Samman in 1997 for Kurukshetra and Jamnalal Bajaj Award in 1996 are the major honours received by him. His Gujarati novels - "Zer to peedha chhe jani jani" and "Socrates" are regarded as classics.

Manubhai Pancholi was born on 15 October 1914 at Panchashiya, Surendranagar district, Gujarat. He took part in Indian freedom struggle movement when he was only 15. He discontinued his school studies and participated in Salt Satyagraha in 1930, for which he got arrested and jailed at Sabarmati, Nasik and Visapur. He started his professional career as a reader in the educational institute, Dakshinamurti in 1932 and later joined as professor in Gramdakshinamurt, Ambala in 1938. During this time too, he was quit active in freedom struggle movement and got arrested when he participated in Quit India Movement in 1942. He was jailed at Bhavnagar.

After Indian independence, he started his political journey and was elected as education minister of Bhavnagar State in 1948. He was a member of Gujarat Legislative Assembly from 1967 to 1971, and served as the education minister during this time. He served as a president of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad in the early 1980s.

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Updated: March 06, 2016