Kumarpal Desai

Life

Kumarpal Desai was born on 30 August 1942 at Ranpur to Balabhai Desai whose non-de-plume was Jaybhikhkhu, a prolific Gujarati writer; and Jayaben. His family is native of Sayla. He joined H. K. Arts College. He completed Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in 1963 and 1965 respectively from Gujarat University with Gujarati as a major subject. He joined Navgujarat College in Ahmedabad as a professor in 1965. He obtained Ph.D. by writing thesis on Anandghan under Dhirubhai Thaker as his guide in 1980. In 1983, he joined Department of Gujarati Literature, School of Languages, Gujarat University. He became Reader in 1988 and Professor in 2000. He became Head of Department in November 2001 and the Director, School of languages in 2003 and served till 2004. He was elected Dean, Faculty of Arts and served for two years also. Twenty students received Ph.D. under him by researching subjects like Jain philosphy, Gujarati journalism and peace. He had worked as a sports commentator also. He serves as the Professor Emeritus at Vishwabharati Institute, Ladnu.

He started writing at the age of eleven. His first short story was published in children's weekly Zagmag. He was influenced by his father Jaybhikhukhu and several other writers like Jhaverchand Meghani, Gunvantrai Acharya, Dhumketu and Dula Bhaya Kag. His first book Vatan, Tara Ratan when he was in college. In 1962, he started writing column in Gujarat Samachar and his first book, a children's biography, Lal Gulab on Lal Bahadur Shastri was published in 1965. The book was successful and he wrote full biography Mahamanav Shastri on him in 1966. Subsequently he wrote several biographies. He also created as a wit and humour character Damodar Mehta for children's books.

He also served as a president of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad. He also served as the president of Gujarat Sahitya Sabha as well as the vice-president of Gujarat Vidyasabha and Gujarati Sahitya Akademi. He is the Managing Trustee for the Institute of Jainology, India and Director of Gujarati Vishwakosh Trust.

He writes five weekly columns; Int ane Imarat (since 1970), Jhakal Banyu Moti, Pandadu Ane Pyramid, Aakaash Ni Olakh and Parijat no Parisamwad in Gujarati daily Gujarat Samachar.

Gujarati

Desai is prolific writer. His collections of short stories include Ekante Kolahal (1976), Suvarna Mruga (1985), Bhavni Bhavai (1987), Bindu Banyu Moti (1986). His other books are Mahenk Manavtani, Biradari (1971), Moti Ni Mala (1975), Kede Katari, Khabhe Dhal (1969), Moti Ni Kheti (1983), Vaheti Vato (1983).

His works of criticism are Sabdasannidhi (1980), Bhavan-Vibhavan (1986), Hemchandracharyani Sahitya-Sadhna (1988), Sahityik Nisbat (2007), Shabdasameep, Anandghan Jeevan Ane Kavan. Apragat Madhyakalin Kritio (1982) is his research work in medieval works. His other research works are Gyanvimalsuri Krut Stabak (1979), Anandghan : Ek Adhyayan (1980), Apragat Madhyakalin Krutio (1982), Shree Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Shatabdi Granth Part - 1, 2 (2015).

He has edited several works including Ekvismi Sadinu Bal Sahitya (2000), Adavat Vinani Adalat (2000), Ek Divas Ni Maharani (2000), Jaybhikhkhu Ni Dharma Katha, Shabdashri, Bal Sahitya Sangosthi, Parivartan Nu Prabhat, Jaibhikhkhu Smritigranth (1970), Savyasachi Sarasvat (2007), Shrimad Rajchandra ane Mahatma Gandhi (2003), Kavi Dula Kag Smritigranth, Haimsmriti, Narmad Aajna Sandarbhma, Ojas Ditha Atmabalna.

He has also published collections of philosophical essays. His inspirational essays are Zakal Banyu Moti 1-2-3 (1983), Trusha Ane Trupti (1986), Shraddhanjali (1994), Jeevan nu Amrut (1996), Dukhni Pankharma Anandno Ek Tahuko (1997), Abol Ni Atamwani (1998), Zakal Bhina Moti (1998). His other essay collections are Motini Kheti, Manavtani Mahek, Kshamapana.

His Biographical works are Apang Na Ojas (1973), Mahamanav Shastri (on Lal Bahadur Shastri, 1966), Veer Rammurti (1976), Afatoni Andhi Vachche Samruddhi Nu Shikhar (2000), Balakona Buddhisagarsurishwarji (on Buddhisagarsuri, 1979), Firak Gorakhpuri (1984), Moolmarg Nu Amrut Ane Adhyatmanu Shikhar (2000), Manavtani Mahek (2000), Jivtarni Vate Aksharrno Divo (2014).

He wrote children's biography of Lal Bahadur Shastri, Lal Gulab (1965). His other works for children are Vatan Tara Ratan (1965), Dahyo Damaro (1967), Haiyu Nanu, Himat Moti (1976), Nani Ummar, Motu Kam (1978), Motne Hath Tali (1973), Zabak Divadi (1975), Parakrami Ram (1977), Ram Vanvas (1977), Sita Haran (1977), Veer Hanuman (1978), C. K. Naidu (1978), Chalo Pashuo Ni Duniyaman (Part I to III) (1980), Bhim (1980), Lokhandi Dadaji (1992), Katharot Man Ganga (1993), Dhol Wage Dhamadham (1993), Vato Na Valu (1993), Sach Na Sipahi (1993).

He has translated Austin Bukenya's play, The Bride as Navavadhu (2000) in Gujarati. He has written two books on journalism, Akhabari Lekhan (1979), Sahitya ane Patrakaratva (1999). He has also published some books in English and contributed in field of sports also.

English and Hindi

He has written several books in English, mostly related to Jainism. His works include Stories from Jainism (1988), Bhagvan Mahavir (1990), Non-Violence – A way of life (1990), Kshamapana (1990), Glory of Jainism (1991), A Pinnacle of Spirituality (2000), Essence of Jainism (2000), The Value and Heritage of Jain Religion, The Role of Women in Jain Religion, The Timeless Message of Bhagwan Mahavir, Vegetarianism (2000), A Journey of Ahimsha (2002), Our Life in the Context of Five Anuvrats and Anekantwad (2003), Tirthankar Mahavir (2003), Influence of Jainism on Mahatma Gandhi (2003) , Jainism : The Cosmic Vision (2014), The Brave Heart (2009). Jin Shashan Ki Kirtigatha (1999), Apahij Tan Adig Man (2000) and Anandghan (2006) are in Hindi.

On Jainism

Desai is an expert of Indian culture, Jainism and Jain literature. He regularly delivers lectures on Jain philosophy and Indian culture in India and abroad.

His books on Jainism include Anandghan – A Study (1980), Stabak by Gyanvimalsuri (1988), Activities of Jain religion in the last decade (1988), Literary Achievements of Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandracharya (1988), Moti Ni Kheti (Religious tales from Jain religion) (1983), Balako Na Buddhisagarji (1979), Kshamapana – review of the rituality of forgiveness from the point of view of Jainology., Bhagwan Mahavir – Life and principles of Lord Mahavir (1990), Bhagwan Rishabhdev – Life and teachings of the First Tirthankar of religion. (1983), Bindu Banyu Moti (tales from Jain Religion) (1986), Anandghan – Life and works (1998), Samaro Mantra Bhalo Navkar (1998), Jinshashan ni Kirtigatha (1998), Atmagyani Shraman Kahave – Life of Acharyashri Kailassagar Surishwarji, Bhagwan Mallinath – Biography (1989), Balavabodh of Merusunder, Shri Mahavir-jivandarshan – detailed study of the life and teachings of Lord Mahavir., Ahimsa ni yatra (2002), Tirthankara Mahavira (2002). His edited works on Jainism are Shankheshwar Mahatirth, Jaybhikhkhu Ni Jain Dharmakathao - Religious tales of Jaybhikhkhu; complication of 2 volumes, Ojas Ditha Atmabal Na and Dhanya Che Dharma Tane - Editing of various lecture of Vijay Vallabhsuriji, Ratnatrayi Na Aajwala, Samayik Sutra with explanation, Atmavallabh Smaranika.

Awards

He was awarded Padma Shri, fourth highest civilian award of India, in 2004. He has also been conferred with many other awards including Jain Ratna Award (2001), Gujarat Ratna award, Dhanji Kanji Gandhi Suvarna Chandrak (2001), Hemchandracharya Award (2002), Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar (2009) and Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak (2015).

Personal life

He married Pratima and has two sons, Kaushal and Nirav.