Gunvant Shah

Gunvant Shah (born 1937) is an essayist, educationist, columnist and philosophy writer and critic from Gujarat, India. He taught at various universities and participated in various education oriented events and organisations. His large number of essays, including philosophical essays, are published as books. He received Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak in 1997 and Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, in 2015.

He served as Lecturer and Reader in the M.S. University from 1961 to 1972. He also served as a Visiting Professor to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, US in 1967–68 and the visiting professor in Arizona State University, Tempe, US in 1985. He also served as Professor and Head, Department of Education, Technical Teachers' Training Institute, Madras in 1972–73; Professor of Education, SNDT Women's University, Mumbai in 1973–74; Professor and Head, Department of Education, South Gujarat University, Surat. He edited Nutan Shikshan magazine. He had founded Panchasheel, a youth movement in Gujarat. He was the Chancellor of Gujarat state unit of International Association of Educators for World Peace. He was the President of Indian Association for Education Technology.

Since retirement from his teaching career, he writes weekly columns in Divya Bhaskar daily, Chitralekha weekly and Navneet Samarpan monthly. In 2019, he was bestowed an Honorary D.Lit. from Gujarat University. He lives at his residence 'Tahuko' in Vadodara. His collections of essays are Cardiogram (1997), Ran To Lilachham (1978), Vagda Ne Taras Tahukani (1979), Vicharo Na Vrundavanma (1981), Manna Meghdhanush (1985), Dhai Akshar Prem Ka (1993), Gandhini Ghadiyal, Silence Zone (1984), Gandhini Champal, Batrise Kothe Diva (1988), Sambhavami Yuge Yuge (1994), Akantna Akashma (1996), Kabir Khada Bazar Me (2004), Parodhiye Kalrav, Vrukshmandirni Chhayama (2008), Kokarvarno Tadako, Nirkhine Gaganma, Cactus Flower, Viratne Hindole, Maro Tya Sudhi Jivo, Zakal Bhina Parijat, Ekant Na Akash Ma, Prabhuna Ladakvaya, Nikhalas Vato, Mahabharat: Manavatanu Mahakavya, Ekaltana Everest Par, Gandhini Lakdi, Patangiyani Anandyatra, Prem Etle... and Kan Daine Sanbhalajo. Ishavasyam, Ramayan: Manvatanu Mahakavya (2003), Bhagavananee Tapal (2006), Tahuko, Guftagu, Puchhta Nar Pandit, Sex Mari Drashtie, Ishwar Allah Tero Naam, Sabko Sanmati De Bhagwan, Sathe Shabde Shabde Setubandh, Patangiya Ni Amrutyatra, Sambhavami Kshane Kshane, E-mail, Secular Murabbo, Secular Mijaj, Secular Agenda, Secular Idiot, Krishna Mari Drashtie, Krishnam Sharnam Gachhami, Krishnaleela Madhur Madhur. In 2016, Gujarat Sahitya Akademi awarded him the Sahityaratna Award. In 2019, he was awarded a D.Lit. by Gujarat University.