Anil R. Joshi

Anil R. Joshi Biography

Anil R. Joshi is an Indian writer belonging to Gujarati literature, who concentrates on poetry and essays. Thus he authors both fiction and non-fiction works. His essay collection Statue (1988) won him the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for Gujarati in 1990. His major poetry works include - Kadach (1970) and Barafna Pankhi (1981), and his popular essay collections include - Statue (1988) and Pavan Ni Vyaspithe (1988). One of the popular names of Modern Gujarati literature, he served as an editor and lecturer too. Among his poetry writing styles, he authored Geet most.

Anil R. Joshi was born on 28 July 1940 in Gondal to Ramanath and Tarabahen. His father was a high level officer who worked in government sector. His early education was done at Gondal and Morbi, and higher studies from Ahmedabad, where he specialised in Gujarati and Sanskrit literature. He also completed his master’s and pursued a career in teaching field. Initially he wanted to become a cricketer, but became a teacher. He worked as a co-editor at Parichay Trust for a brief period in 1976-1977. He married Bharati Joshi in 1975 and had two children.

As a writer, he published his first poem, Parigho in 1962. His poem was published in a Gujarati literary magazine. Kadach, his first anthology of poems, was published in 1970. It’s one of his best known works. He was a close friend of Ramesh Parekh, and is credited to recommending him to concentrate on to poetry most. Later Ramesh turned very successful in the field of writing poetry and lyrics. Anil R. Joshi also established himself as a successful poet, and he tried with different genres of verses such as Geet, Free Verse and Ghazals.

Published: January 10, 2019

Updated: January 10, 2019