Kumarpal Desai

Kumarpal Desai Biography

Kumarpal Desai is an author and critic belonging to Gujarati language. He is also a journalist and columnist by profession. He is awarded Padma Shri in 2004, for his overall contributions towards literal world. Best known as a promoter of Gujarati language and literature, he is fully active in the literal circle, in association with several literarl organizations such as Gujarati Sahitya Parishad. As a writer he has authored over a hundred of books, and has also served as an editor too. He is also a gifted teacher who taught many students in Gujarat University.

Kumarpal Desai was born on 30 August 1942 at Ranpur, now in Botad district, Gujarat. His ancestors are from Sayla. He is the son of Jaybhikhkhu, a prolific Gujarati writer. His mother’s name is Jayaben. He is married to Pratima and has two sons. He specialized in Gujarati literature for his graduation as well as post-graduation and then joined Navgujarat College in Ahmedabad as a professor in 1965. He also completed his doctorate studies in 1980. Since 1983 he worked with Gujarat University in Gujarati language department. He became Head of Department in 2001, and later handled many administrative positions within the university.  

He started writing at the age of 11 and published his first short story in a children’s magazine. Initially he was influenced by the writings of his father, and later a few more writers belonging to Gujarati language. Lal Gulab on Lal Bahadur Shastri was his first published book. As a writer some of the major honours received by him include - Dhanji Kanji Gandhi Suvarna Chandrak (2001), Padma Shri (2004), Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar (2009) and Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak (2015). He also served as the president of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad.

Published: January 07, 2019

Updated: January 07, 2019