Dhumaketu

Gaurishankar Govardhanram Joshi (1892–1965), better known by his pen name Dhumketu, was an Indian Gujarati-language writer, who is considered one of the pioneers of the Gujarati short story. He published twenty-four collections of short stories, as well as thirty-two novels on social and historical subjects, and plays and travelogues. His writing is characterised by a dramatic style, romanticism and powerful depiction of human emotions.

Early life Gaurishankar was the third son of Govardhanram Joshi and was a Baj Khedawal Brahmin by birth. He was born on 12 December 1892 at Virpur, a place near Rajkot and Gondal (now in Gujarat, India). Gaurishankar served at Virpur School drawing a salary of four Rupees per month. During this period he was asked to read biographies, historical novels etc. before Khatijabibi, who was the wife of Ishan. This habit made Guarishankar take a deep interest in literature. He has also written famous English poems, chapters including The Letter which is still popular.

In 1908, he went to Bilkha, a place close to Junagadh. He married Kashiben, the daughter of Gaurishankar Bhatt. There was Nathuram Sharma's Ashram in Bilkha. It had a large library which helped him graduate with Sanskrit and English in 1920. He served as a clerk at Gondal in railway for a year. In 1923, he left the government job and went to Ahmedabad and started teaching at the private school run by Ambalal Sarabhai, father of Vikram Sarabhai. During this period his literary activities blossomed. His pen name Dhumketu (Nom – de – plume) became well known in Gujarati literature. He died on 11 March 1965. followed by Tankha-2 (1928), Tankha-3 (1932) and Tankha-4 (1935). His other short stories collections include Avashesh (1932), Pradeep (1933), Mallika Ane Biji Vartao (1937),Tribheto (1938), Aakashdeep (1947), Parivesh (1949), Anamika (1949), Vanchhaya (1949), Pratibimba (1951), Vanrekha (1952), Jaldeep (1953), Vankunj (1954), Vanrenu (1956), Mangaldeep (1957), Chandrarekha (1959), Nikunj (1960), Sandhyarang (1961), Sandhyatej (1962), Vasantakunj (1964) and Chhello Jhabakaro (1964).

He wrote novels, drama, biographies, reflective essays, satires and books for adults and children. He published more than 250 books in the various fields.

Recognition In 1935, he was awarded Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak, the highest award in Gujarati literature, which he refused to accept. He received Narmad Suvarna Chandrak for literary activities in 1949. He served as an adviser to the Sahitya Akademi, Delhi for Gujarati in 1957. He won the rare honour to represent India in a book published in the US with the title Stories From Many Lands. This was a collection of the best stories from sixty countries. His story The Letter (Originally published as Post Office) was included in it. Sahitya Akademi, Delhi published this story in Contemporary Indian Short Stories and Penguin Books published in The Best Loved Indian Stories of The Century (volume II).