Ranjit Desai

Ranjit Desai Biography

Ranjit Desai was a noted writer associated with Marathi literature. Known as a novelist, historical novels "Swami" and "Shriman Yogi" are his celebrated works. For his outstanding contributions to Marathi literature and the work - Swami, government of India honoured him with Padma Shri in 1973. He was also a recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award for the year 1964. His highly acclaimed novel "Swami” helped him to bag the Sahitya Akademi Award. Radheya, Shekhara, Baari, Kaanchan Mrug and Raja Ravi Varma are his other published novels. He has also written many plays, apart from short stories.

The controversial but highly acclaimed Bollywood movie, Rang rasiya, starring Randeep Hooda and Nandana Sen was based his novel, Raja Ravi Varma – a biopic of the celebrated Indian painter from Travancore. The movie originally released in London Film Festival in 2008, but had a delayed release in India only in 2014, for its bold scenes, nudity and controversies. The movie showed the relationship between the artist Raja Ravi Varma and its muse Nandana Sen. Rangalya Ratri Ashya, Sawal Maza Aika, Nagin and Sangoli Rayana are other movies adapted from his works.

He was born in 1928 in Kowad town of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. He is known as a novelist, short story writer and playwright. Yet he shot to fame through his celebrated novels - "Swami" and "Shriman Yogi" which were awarded multiple times. Swami – published in 1963 received Sahitya Akademi Award, Maharashtra Rajya Award and Hari Narayan Apte Award. Kanchan Mrug, Dhan Apure, Pankh Zale Vairi, Kanchan Mrug, Raja Ravi Varma, Dhan Apure and Pankh Zale Vairi are among his plays. Mekh Mogari, Majha Gaav, Roop Mahal, Kanav, Jaan, Sneha Dhara, Abhogi and Madhumati are among his short story collections.

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Updated: April 26, 2016