Madhav Ramanuj

Madhav Ramanuj Biography

Madhav Ramanuj is a Gujarati writer who earned recognition through poetry. Narsinh Mehta Award (2012) and Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar (2016) are the major honours received by him. Some of his famous books are Tame (1972), Aksharnu Ekant (1997) and Anahadnu Ekant (2013) and all of them are collection of poems. He has also authored two biographical novels – one based on the former Chief Minister of Gujarat titled Chimanbhai Patel, and the second one based on Reuben David, who was the founder of the Ahmedabad Zoo. This book was titled Pinjarni Aarpar (1990). He is active in writing field since 1970s.

Noted Gujarati poet and author, Madhav Ramanuj was born on 22 April 1945 in Pachchham village, Ahmedabad district of present-day Gujarat. Odhavdas Ramanuj is his father’s name. Ramanuj completed the Diploma of Arts in Applied Arts from Sheth C. N. College of Fine Arts in 1973, and very soon joined the same college as lecturer of Applied Arts. He had a long term association with the college and retired as Principal.

Since late 1960s he has been associated with a few publishing houses, working as an editor. He served as editor of Akhand Anand in 1969, and also worked with Vora and Co the same year. He designed books covers for R. R. Sheth & Co. from 1970 to 1973. His first collection of poems, Tame was published in 1972, and since then he contributed in the form of both fiction and non-fiction works. He was a President of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad, and also served an adviser of Doordarshan, Ahmedabad. He has served in administrator position for many other institutions of Gujarat.

Apart from poetry, he worked as a lyricist in Gujarati film industry. Pithi Pili Ne Rang Rato (1974) and Derani Jethani (1999) earned him state award for best lyricist. He also authored a couple of Gujarati plays, apart from biographies.

Published: January 14, 2019

Updated: January 14, 2019