Ramanbhai Neelkanth

Ramanbhai Neelkanth Biography

Ramanbhai Neelkanth was a well-known Indian writer belonging to Gujarati literature, best known for his humour works. He gained recognition through the novels and essays he authored. He was also a politician during his lifetime. He belongs to a family of some renowned writers and social reformers from Gujarat. He served as the president of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad in 1926.

Ramanlal Nilkanth Hasya Paritoshik is a literary honour in Gujarat named after him, and it’s conferred by Gujarat Sahitya Akademi and Government of Gujarat since 2016. The award is given to those writers for their significant contribution in Gujarati humour literature. He is the son of well-known social reformer, Mahipatram Rupram Nilkanth. His wife Vidyagauri Nilkanth was a writer and social reformer, while their daughter Vinodini Nilkanth was a Gujarati writer, translator, and academic, who gave some significant contributions towards children’s literature.

Ramanbhai Nilkanth was born on 13 March 1868 in Ahmedabad. He was born into a family of writers, social workers and activists. His father Mahipatram Rupram Nilkanth was a social reformer, educationist and author. His mother Rupkunwarba was also a social reformer. Later Ramanbhai Nilkanth’s second wife, Vidyagauri Nilkanth also turned a social reformer, apart from being a successful author. She along with her sister became the first female graduate from Gujarat. In fact Ramanbhai Nilkanth supported her for her education and writings. His first wife Hansvadan died at young age.

He studied from Gujarat College, Ahmedabad to complete graduation, and later took LLB too. He worked as a clerk in the government office, and later served as a Judge in Godhra. He earned the title of Rai Bahadur and also knighthood and was the first secretary of the Ahmedabad Red Cross. As a writer Bhadrambhadra (1900) is best among his humour works, and he also authored several humour essays.

Published: January 10, 2019

Updated: January 10, 2019