Dinkar Joshi

Dinkar Joshi is a Gujarati language author from India. He has written more than 160 books including novels, short story collections, essay collections and columns.

Life Dinkar Joshi was born on 30 June 1937 in Bhadi Bhandaria village of Bhavnagar district to Lilavati and Maganlal Joshi. His family belonged to Nagdhaniba village. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in 1963 with history and politics from Gujarat University. He started writing in 1950 and published his first short story in 1954. He worked in banking sector from 1959 till his voluntary retirement in 1995. He was principal of Staff Training College of the bank when retired.

His novels were serialized in weekly supplements of Gujarati and Hindi dailies like Gujarat Samachar and Jagran. His novel Prakash no Padchhayo was simultaneously serialized in the Sunday supplements of three Gujarati dailies; Samkaleen, Jansatta and Loksatta.

He married Hansaben in 1963. He challenged the claim about number of Shlokas in Bhagvad Geeta by Dr. Vedavyas of Andhra Pradesh and proved it with an example.

Works Dinkar Joshi has written more than 156 books in his six decade long literary career. He has written 45 novels on social, historical, rural and ancient subjects. He has written many essays and topical sketches. He has edited and translated several books in Gujarati. He has done extensive study and research on Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi. He has studied the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vedas and Upanishads and has written extensively on these subjects. He has written several biographical novels including on poet Narmad; Harilal Gandhi, the eldest son of Mahatma Gandhi; Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Rabindranath Tagore, Gautam Buddha, Sardar Patel and Lev Tolstoy. Some of his novels have been adapted into Gujarati films. This adapted play by Feroz Abbas Khan, Mahatma versus Gandhi was staged during the commemorative function held to celebrate Gandhi's anniversary at Columbia University in New York, organised by the Indo-American Arts Council.

His novels include Door Door Aara (1963), Jane Ajane (1963), Tan Zankhe Man Roy (1965), Matsyavedh (1966), Adithan Roop (1967), Shesh - Ashesh (1969), Aganpathari (1972), Tarasyan Pagalan Tran (1974), Yakshaprashna (1974), Asahya (1976), Satyano Chahero (1977), Khelo Re Khel Khurshina (1978), Kankuna Suraj Aathamya (1979), Suraj Dhima Tapo (1981), Barafni Chadar (1981), Sachan Motino Charo (1982), Aa Pag Nicheno Rasto (1982), Agiyarmi Disha (1982), Aapane Kyank Malyan Chhie (1983), Triji Aankh (1983), 35 Up 36 Down (1983), Garvun Roop Varvi Chhaya (2005), Ek Tukado Aakashno (1984) based on life of Narmad, Radhani Vedana (1984), Saranama Vinanun Ghar (1986), Jamana Pagno Angutho (1987), Sarpsatra (1987), Shyam Ekvar Aavone Aangane (1988), Prakash no Padachhayo (1988) based on life of Harilal Gandhi, Kale Surajne Kahejo Ke (1989), Kurusabha (1990), Alpaviram (1991), Vastraharan (1992), Amrutyatra (1994), Kalpurush (1995), Ekada Vagarna Mindan (1997), Sami Sanjna Padachhaya (1999), Dariyathi Dariya Sudhi (2001), Pratinayak (2002), Amrutpanthano Yatri (2003), Ahin Koi Nathi (2005), Prashnapradeshni Pele Paar (2008), Ayodhyano Ravan Ane Lankana Ram (2010), Mahamanav Sardar (2014), Gaikal Vinani Avatikal (2016). He coauthored novel Parivartan (1991).

His short stories collections are Anradhar (1964), Vanpravesh (1965), Tarafadat (1969), Ek Lawaris Shab (1974), Ek Vaheli Sawarnun Sapanun (1980), Nam Badalvani Ramat (1986), Dinkar Joshini Shreshtha Vartao (1988), Bandhi Muththino Khalipo (1990), Nava Varasnun Panchang (1995), Ek Hato Manas (1997), Sarvalani Badbaki (2003), Vagadanu Phool (2012), Ekvar Evun Banyun (2016). His books translated into English are Glimpses Of Indian Culture, An Eternal Journey, Quaid Azam Mohmmad Ali Jinnah, Mahatma Vs Gandhi, Sardar, The Sovereign Saint.

Recognition He is conferred with five Gujarat State Sahitya Akademi awards. He is awarded an honorary degree of D.Litt. by Shri Jagdishprasad Jhabarmal Tibrewala University, Rajasthan. He received Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar in 2017.

Selected bibliography