Umashankar Joshi

Umashankar Joshi Biography

Umashankar Jethalal Joshi, shortly known as Umashankar Joshi was a great poet, scholar and writer of Gujarati language. He received Jnanpith award in the year in 1967 for his work ‘Nishitha’ - collection of his poems and over all contributions to Gujarati literature. He has also received Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak – 1939, Narmad Suvarna Chandrak – 1947 and Soviet Land Nehru Award – 1973. He has served as the president of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad (1968) and Sahitya Akademi (1978–1982). He was the Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University in the year 1970. He has been elected to Rajya Sabha and has been active in Indian politics as well. He has also actively participated in freedom struggle movement.

Umashankar Joshi was born in small village named Bamna of Gujarat on July 21, 1911. He was born in Trivedi Mewada Brahmin Barishi family. From his childhood, Joshi was inspired by the beautiful surroundings of the hilly region. Social life of villages, associated fairs and festivals has helped him a lot in creative writing. Concern with the roots of violence manifesting itself in various forms and man at the centre of it has been the main site of his work. Poetry, short stories, plays, essays, travelogues, criticism and subjects including education, politics and contemporary issues and events have been a part of his creative work.

Umashankar has published 70 books. In 1984, he compiled a comprehensive list of his publications. His noted works include "Ishavasya Upanishad”, "Satykam Jabal", "Gandhijini Shabdashakti", "Vaishnavjan" and "Baa". His powerful words rest on him in writing the immense potentials of the man to make the real world accessible to him. Umashankar Joshi preferred to introduce himself as 'an Indian writer writing in Gujarati' rather than a Gujarati writer. Other noted works include – Mahaprasthan, Gangotri, Vishwashanti, Abhigna, Akho ek Adhyayan and Haveli - collection of dramas.

Published: N/A

Updated: November 22, 2013