Ramanlal Soni

Ramanlal Soni Biography

Ramanlal Soni was a popular writer associated with Gujarati literature. His children’s works are quite popular. He has also done a few translation works to Gujarati language. Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak, the highest literary award in Gujarati language, in 1996 and Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar by Government of Gujarat in 1999 are the major awards received by him. He passed away on 20 September 2006 in Ahmedabad aged 98. After Indian independence he was also involved with politics. He was a freedom fighter and social worker too.

He was born on January 25, 1908 in Kokapur near Modasa, Aravalli district, Gujarat. His school education was completed at Modasa and later he graduated from Agra University in 1940. After graduation he returned back to his hometown where he started his career as a school Principal at Madosa. Five years later he left his job when he got involved with social work and freedom struggle movement. He has been jailed during Satyagraha movement in 1932 and in those days he learnt Bengali language. After Indian independence, he got elected to Bombay Legislative assembly in the year 1952. He served a term of 5 years.

As a writer he is known for his outstanding contributions to Children’s literature in Gujarati language. Apart from a few original works, he also translated many works to Gujarati language, including Children’s books. Shishu Mahabharata is one of the popular original books for children. He translated many works of Bengali legends such as Rabindranath Tagore, Tarashankar Bandopadhyay, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Gora, Chokher Bali, Atiti, Kabuliwalah, Chandantilak, Devdas, Rajarsh, Shrikant etc are among those translation works. Aapana Swatantra Sangramni Katha, Babal Sha, Badshah Ane Birble, Bhuriyo Bhot, Bawa Aadamno Khajano, Mata Mahatirth etc are among his original works.

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Updated: April 03, 2016