Jayant Pathak

Jayant Pathak Biography

Jayant Pathak was a writer from Gujarati language who lived during the period, 20 October 1920 – 1 September 2003. He authored poems and was a literary critic too. a leading Gujarati poet of 20^th century, he was a recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award, the Kumar Suvarna Chandrak, the Narmad Suvarna Chandrak, the Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak and the Uma-Snehrashmi Prize for his literary skills. His works - Vananchal (1967), Anunaya (1978) and Mrugaya (1983) are the best contributions towards modern Gujarati literature.

His full name is Jayant Himmatlal Pathak. He was born on 20 October 1920 at Goth village of present day Panchmahal district, Gujarat. Ichchhaba and Himmatram Joitaram Pathak were his parents. He was fondly called as Bachudo, his pet name. He lost his father at the age of 10, and later he was raised by his grandfather. His early education was done at Rajgadh, after which he moved to his mother’s home and continued his studies there. He completed matriculation in 1938 and later pursued graduation and post-graduation in Gujarati and Sanskrit subjects. He received a Ph.D. in 1960, under Vishnuprasad Trivedi. He submitted his thesis titled - 1920 Pachhini Gujarati Kavitani Sanskrutik Bhoomika: Paribalo Ane Siddhi.

Soon after completing his graduation in 1943, he pursued teaching at different schools. At the same time he also completed his master’s degree. From 1948 to 1953, he lived in different cities where he worked and also had a journalist career. Born into a tribal forest region of Gujarat, it had a strong influence in his poetry works. He published his first collection of poems in 1954 titled Marmar. Since then he was fully active in his writing career till his death in 2003.

Published: January 14, 2019

Updated: January 14, 2019