Dhirendra Mehta

Dhirendra Mehta Biography

Dhirendra Mehta is a well-known writer belonging to Gujarati language. He writes both poems and novels, and is a literary critic as well as editor and journalist. In 2010, he received Sahitya Akademi Award for Gujarati language for his famous novel Chhavni. The following year he was presented with Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak. Critics’ award, Dhanji Kanji Gandhi Suvarna Chandrak, K. M. Munshi Chandrak, Darshak Award, R. V. Desai Award etc are a few more honours received by him. As a writer he is best known for his novel - Chhavni.

Dhirendra Mehta hails from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He was born on 29 August 1944. He has faced a lot of hardships since early childhood. He suffered from poliomyelitis in his both legs, when he was just 4. He completed his graduation in Gujarati, followed by post-graduation in Gujarati and Hindi languagesAfter studies he briefly worked with radio station, Akashvani in Bhuj. Then he became a research fellow. In 1976, he received Ph.D. for his thesis, Gujarati Navalakathano Upeyalaksi Abhyasa. He started his professional career as a lecturer where he taught Gujarati. He has worked in different colleges and retired as Head of the Department of Gujarati and Undergraduate Centre in R. R. Lalan College in 2006.

He published his first novel, Valay in 1971. It was followed by Chihna (1978) and Adrashya (1980). His novels dealt with themes on relationships and romance. Kaveri Ane Darpanlok (1988), Ghar (1995), Dishantar, Apane Loko, Dharna (1990), Khovai Gayeli Vastu (2001), Bhandari Bhavan (2002) and Chhavni (2006) are his published works later. He frequently deals with subjects of loneliness and depression in his books. Sanmukh (1985) and Atlu Badhu Sukh and Hu Ene Jou E Pahela are his story collections.

Published: September 08, 2018

Updated: September 08, 2018