Vijay Shastri

Vijay Ramanlal Shastri (born 10 August 1945) is an Indian Gujarati language short story writer, novelist, critic and translator. He was educated and worked at the M. T. B. Arts College in Surat and has written more than two hundred short stories in addition to several works of criticism.

Life Vijay Shastri was born on 10 August 1945 in Santacruz, Bombay (now Mumbai, India) to Ramagauri and Ramanlal Shastri. In his stories, human emotions are described with deep intensity. His selected stories were published as Vijay Shastrini Shreshth Vartao (1986) edited by himself and Vartavishesh (2007) edited by Nutan Jani.

Hu Ane Hu (1970) and Ek Hato Manas (1970) are his novels, and have not been as successful as his short stories. America: Alap Jhalap (2007) is his travelogue of his experiences and responses to his travel in United States. Leela Aparampar (2000), Ajab Bhayoji Khel (2000), Khali Khali Avo (2001), Chhas Bhi Kabhi Dahi Thi! (2003) and Paghdi: Bandh Besati (2007) are his collections of humorous essays. They also include elements of satire.

Mahakavi Dante: Jeevan Ane Kavan (1970) is his critical work on Dante Alighieri and his works Divine Comedy and The New Life. His other works of criticism are: Sahityano Aswad Ane Chhand Alankar Charcha (co-authored), Atratatra (1982), Tunkivarta (1984), Saundaryanishthawad (1989), Kathapratyaksh (1990), Kavyaras (1993), Char Vartakaro: Ek Abhyas (1995, thesis), Tatpurush (1997), Bavanno Saghalo Vistar (2000), Trepanmo Janye Par (2002), Samanjasya (2004), Samvay (2006), Sahityik Vachnao Vishe (2011), Kritigat (2014), Tulanasandarbh (2016), Tatsam (2018).

Sanskar Khatar (1971), Vishwani Pratinidhi Vartao (1974), Paraya Mulakma (co-translated with his wife, 1993), Tran Videshi Laghunavalo (Three Foreign Short Novels, 1996; novels by Miguel de Unamuno, John Steinbeck and Guy de Maupassant), Mokshagudam Vishweshwarayya (2013) and Bernard Shaw's play Candida are his translations. Tathakathit (1987) is his work of philosophy. Prabhu, Aam J Aapda Tu Harato is his memoir.

In 1976, he published Udgar which included his study of European as well as Indian thinkers and authors such as Albert Camus, George Bernard Shaw, Anton Chekhov, Kalidasa and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He edited Gujaratna Bhashasahitya Par Adhunikikaranno Prabhav (1987), Sahityana Siddhanto (co-authored, 1989) and Vishayantar (2011).

His short story "Na Dharme Labdhakamano Musaddo" was adapted on television as Mansukhkakano Musaddo.

Awards Shastri was awarded the prizes by the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi for his thesis (1995), Khali Khali Avo (2001) and Trepanmo Janye Par (2002).