Keshavlal Dhruv

Dewan Bahadur Keshavlal Harshadrai Dhruv (17 October 1859 – 13 March 1938), also spelt as Keshavlal Harshad Dhruva and known by his pen name Vanmali, was a research scholar, philologist, critic, editor of Middle and Old Gujarati works, and translator of Sanskrit classic poetry and plays from India. He was a professor of Gujarati and taught at Gujarat College. He headed several literary organizations.

Life Keshavlal was born on 17 October 1859 in Bahiyel near Dehgam in Gujarat, India. He completed matriculation in 1876 and Bachelor of Arts in 1882. He taught at Premchand Raichand Training College in Ahmedabad for a brief period. Later he joined Ranchhodlal Chotalal High School and was appointed a Headmaster in 1908. He retired from there in 1915 and joined Gujarat College as the professor of Gujarati language and literature. He retired from there in 1934. He headed Gujarat Vidya Sabha from 1920 to 1938. His essay on philology at the first Gujarati Sahitya Parishad, held in 1905, won him praise. He also headed the second Gujarati Sahitya Parishad, held in 1907. His brother Harilal Dhruv was a lawyer who authored poetry and edited several books. Keshavlal died on 13 March 1938.

Works Keshavlal started writing essays on old Sanskrit works such as Malayas of Mudrarakshasha and Age of Vishakhadatta when he was 28 years old.