Gulabdas Broker

Gulabdas Harjivandas Broker (20 September 1909 – 10 June 2006) was a Gujarati language writer, literary critic, and editor from India. He is primarily known for his short stories and one-act plays in Gujarati literature. He is considered a pioneer in introducing psychoanalytic themes to Gujarati storytelling.

Life and career Gulabdas Harjivandas was born at Porbandar on 20 September 1909. He completed his education in Gujarati and English literature from Bombay University in 1930. He was sentenced to 16 months in imprisonment during the agitation. From 1933 until his retirement in 1964, he worked as a broker in the futures market. He traveled as an Indian representative to the United Nations. He also visited the United States in 1962 and West Germany in 1963.

Themes and style Broker occupies a significant place in Gujarati literature, particularly for his use of psychoanalysis in fiction. His stories, often written in simple language, explore the complexities of the human mind and everyday events. He frequently addressed the social and sexual issues faced by the upper-middle-class youth in urban environments. He also wrote stories centered on the relationships between mothers and children. He was also awarded Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak, the highest literary award in Gujarati language, in 1998. He also received Kumar Chandrak in 1968.

He received the Mahida Gold Medal in 1943 for his story Dhumraser. The Government of Bombay awarded him the first prize for the play Dhumraser (1947). His collection Mansana Man received the first prize from the Government of Gujarat in 1968, an honor also bestowed upon his works Surya and Nava Gaganni Neeche. He was honored as a Gujarati writer at the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in 1974.

The Government of Gujarat also awarded him the Narsinh Mehta Award.