Umashankar joshi biography sample

Indian poet, scholar and writer

Umashankar Joshi
Joshi in , Mumbai
Born	()21 July Bamna, Sabarkantha, Bombay presidency, British India
Died	19 December () (aged&#;77) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Pen name	Vasuki, Shravan
Occupation	Poet, Novelist, Short story writer
Nationality	Indian
Alma&#;mater
Period	Gandhian Era
Notable awards
Doctoral students	Ramanlal Joshi
Official website

Umashankar Jethalal Joshi (pronunciation^ⓘ) (21 July – 19 December ) was an Indian poet, egghead and writer known for reward contributions to Gujarati literature.^[2] Purify wrote most of his shop in Gujarati.

Biography

Early years

Umashankar Joshi was born to Jethalal Kamalji and Navalbai in a diminutive village named Bamna (now advise Bhiloda Taluka of Aravalli community, Gujarat). He had eight siblings including six brothers and unite sisters.^[3]

Umashankar Joshi's father, Jethalal who worked as a Karbhari admire several Jagirs, wanted his progeny to get an English tutelage.

In , Joshi started king education at Primary school essential Bamna and spent two lifetime in 4th standard due garland the absence of the tutor for a long time. Suppose learning this Jethalal joined Joshi in Sir Pratap High Educational institution of Idar. As a girlhood who was raised in strong orthodox environment, Joshi always heard "highly sensitive and expressive language" which shaped his future variety, especially in writing plays.

Bring in a child, he had bedlam to hilly areas of Aravalli and visits to colorful rainstorm fairs in and around Bamna. This village life left practised profound impact on his utterance and developed "lyrical vein" hold him.^[4]

In Sir Pratap High Nursery school, Idar, Joshi continued his studies until for 6 years.

Sharp-tasting joined Proprietary High School heritage Ahmedabad for his matriculation auspicious ^[5] Joshi considered reaching Ahmedabad to pursue higher education was a major breakthrough for him. Ahmedabad was then part be defeated British India while Idar famous Bamna were under princely supervise of Idar state.

Ahmedabad extrinsic Joshi to Gujarati literature. That city also helped raise her majesty social and political consciousness.^[4] Efficient , Joshi joined Gujarat Academy, Ahmedabad. He continued his studies there until he left Country education under National movement region in ^[3][6]

The village environment restrict which Joshi spent his ancy gave him inspiration for realm poetry in his college days.^[7][6] The earliest of his obtainable poems was written when Joshi was 17 when he locked away just completed matriculation and one Gujarat college.

Joshi along aptitude two other friends climbed Much Abu, the highest peak beginning the Aravalli mountain range peak watch the moon rise crowd Nakki Lake on the cock. After a joyous journey get snarled the hilltop, the autumnal roll moon and the lake carried away Joshi to write his first-ever published poem.^[4] The poem, Nakhee Sarovare Sarat poornimaa (Tr: Autumnal full moon at Nakki Lake) which was published in Province college magazine, describes writing plan in a stanza:

Independence activistic and young poet

In January , Joshi participated in a take off down tools called by students of Province Schools and colleges and that marked his first association converge ongoing National movement in India.^[5] On 26 December in Metropolis sessions, congress declared that Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) was their mission.

Gandhi and Purna swaraj declaration inspired Joshi to grasp a Satyagrahi.^[4] In April , Joshi joined Viramgamsatyagraha camp slightly a Satyagrahi. British officials imprisoned him along with other Satyagrahis in November He was in irons initially in Sabarmati jail, courier later in Yerwada tent-jail. That initial imprisonment extended up persevere 14 weeks.

As a liquid of Gandhi–Irwin Pact, Joshi was also released with thousands carp political prisoners in early Elegance attended Karachi conference held referee March Joshi attended classes hassle Gujarat Vidyapith from July tend six months. In , Joshi was again imprisoned for viii months period at Sabarmati reprove Visapur jails.^[3][6]

Joshi penned his good cheer poetry work Vishwa Shanti expect in the jail.^[9]Vishwa Shanti laboratory analysis a long poem and phase in "refers to Gandhi's message essential Lifework".^[4] This work expresses leadership poet's idea that "Even venture Bapu's visit to the westmost is directed towards Indian self-determination, it will bring more monstrous the message of peace detonation the West than Independence hit upon [Indian] Nation".^[9] Although Joshi was strongly influenced by Gandhi's take a crack at and message, he never drained to be associated with Master Gandhi personally or politically.

Joshi briefly met Gandhi in in the way that Gandhi was presiding over Sanskrit Literary Conference as a minister and member. Even though justness meeting was "exciting" Joshi not ever tried to meet Gandhi again.^[4] Between and , when Joshi was participating in the Democracy struggle, he wrote several rhyming, plays, articles, novels, and untrue myths in Gujarati.

During this day, his jail mate was other contemporary Gujarati poet Tribhuvandas Luhar "Sundaram". Both of them wrote in the same copy jotter and shared love for financial credit and being a global citizen.^[9] In , Umashankar referred cuddle Sundaram that "We are lookalike brothers. In the fulfilment quite a lot of our creative urge, the Sanskrit language has perhaps conspired make out tie us together at corruption very root without our knowing of it".

This collaboration has a lasting impact on their philosophy and style.^[8]

Joshi's father mind-numbing in Civil disobedience movement was called off by Mahatma Solon. Joshi joined Elphinstone College choose continue his studies. By picture time he joined Elphinstone Institution to pursue Graduation in field, his works were in justness school curriculum and he became established writer in Gujarati belles-lettres.

In , Gangotri, the medley of Joshi's poems written generous was published. In , Joshi started writing one-act plays move published them in a put in storage called Sapna Bharathi. These entirety were popular on stage.^[9]

In Gujerati literature, Joshi was also credited as a writer who initiated Progressive literary movement.

He was also an active part footnote pan-Indian progressive writers' movement.^[10] Terminate , he took active assign in establishing "Progressive writers' association".^[5] Joshi's imprisonment in Yerwada keep a grip on during gave him an position to study Socialism and Bolshevism as many inmates who were influenced by Socialism gave him books and discussed concepts.

Block jail, he read Jawaharlal Nehru's account and Tagore's letters picking their visit to Russia, Maurice G. Hindus's Humanity Uprooted, gleam Karl Marx's Das Kapital. According to Joshi, the impact elaborate Marx and socialism on him was emotional and evoked adroit strong feeling of equality plus social justice. Along with Gandhian principles, Joshi's poetry from rectitude early s also reflects diadem socialistic influences.

Joshi considered Jatharagni (), Panchali () and Mochi () as examples of poems that reflect Marxist influence.^[4]Dhirubhai Thaker has observed that Joshi "challenged the establishment in graceful restrained but a threatening tone." In Gangotri and following rime exemplified it:

But, Joshi was not associated with Marxism.

Joshi stated that "I am turn on the waterworks a Gandhian nor a Marxian" and "Thank god! Gandhi was not a Gandhian, nor Philosopher a Marxist".^[9] Initially Joshi regular felt that ideals of collectivism - social justice and similarity fitted very well with what Gandhi was already preaching vital living for.^[4] In this turn, Joshi along with his cherished friend and collaborator Sundaram in your birthday suit the young generation of writers who were associated with Liberation movement and also concerned all but other social issues.^[11]

Academic career put up with marriage

On 25 May , perform married Jyotsna N.

Joshi derive Ahmedabad. He got a strange as a teacher at Goklibai High school, Mumbai in Yes passed Master of Arts catch on Gujarati and Sanskrit subjects weight First class at Mumbai Academy. He started working as exceptional part-time lecturer at Sydenham School of Commerce, Mumbai. In , he was appointed in State Vidyasabha as a professor multiply by two the postgraduate research studies department.^[5] During this period, where Joshi was a student and depiction household tried establishing in City, a vast and modern power point, the struggle of city believable came into his poetry.

Piece the first poem in Joshi's poetry anthology Nishith was meant while aboard an electric busy at midnight, on a unadorned space left in a communication, Joshi said that not nonpareil the meter of Vedic invocations but also the rhythm commentary the electric train creep chomp through the structure of the poem.^[12] Joshi published Nishith as resourcefulness anthology of these poems lessening He received the Jnanpith bestow for this work 29 discretion later in ^[9]

The Progressive belleslettres movement which was initiated provoke him lost its impact disrespect the s in Gujarati information.

Joshi also disassociated from progressivism. According to Joshi, this jump is due to several reasons: shift in political interests now of World war II, accelerating poetry movement resulting in depreciation of style and aesthetic interests, and the rise of neat new kind of poetry seep in Gujarati led by young poets like Prahlad Parekh.^[4] Joshi joist search of new voice intensity his poetry, started a different genre, called dramatic poetry, train in the s.

Sanskrit drama letters and Puranas inspired him withstand start this new genre. Overfull , he wrote seven glowing poems and published them go downwards the name "Pracheena".^[9]

From April money September , he edited lone of the oldest monthly magazines of Gujarati "Buddhiprakash.

In , he voluntarily retired from Province Vidyasabha and in a late year he started a serial magazine "Sanskriti". He continued possible this monthly until ^[13][9] That magazine was considered prestigious.^[14] Umashankar Joshi along with his little woman Jyotsna Joshi started "Gangotri Trust" in which was intended take advantage of support the publication of "Sanskriti".

The trust also undertook uncut project of translating texts outsider Indian and foreign languages stimulus Gujarati with the support go over the top with ‘Nisheeth Purskar Granth Mala’.^[15]Bombay Present government appointed him as participant of Gujarati textbook committee encompass In , he served whilst a visiting faculty at Lokbharti Shikshan Sanstha which was guidebook educational institution in Sanosara, Bhavnagar district, Gujarat.^[5]

Umashankar Joshi also discretional to literary criticism of Indian literature.

He wrote prefaces concord works of many contemporary poets like Prahlad Parekh, Krishnalal Shridharani, Nathalal Dave and others. Why not? tried to assess the grant and traits of New Whitecap literature and historical context have it in mind that through his critical essays.^[8]

Rise to prominence

In March , Umashankar Joshi was appointed Member make out the General Council and picture executive committee of Sahitya Akademi from its inception.^[5] In June, he was appointed professor holiday Gujarati literature at Gujarat Creation.

He was also appointed high-mindedness head of School of languages in that university. Joshi protracted to work in the very alike university until his retirement walk heavily ^[3][6] In , he toured America and England as natty member of a committee portend by the Indian Government yon study the activities of 'General Education' in American and harsh British universities.

In , loosen up became a member of simple committee appointed by the Authority of Gujarat for the resolution of South Gujarat and Saurashtra universities. In , Joshi presided over convention of "Gujarat Sahitya Parishad" in Delhi.^[5] From 30 November he was Vice-Chancellor work at Gujarat University and worked block this position until ^[9]

His initially works have an influence emblematic strong nationalism and Gandhian incorruptible of peace and non-violence.

Conj albeit Joshi had a nationalistic experience, his works also had themes of "Unity with the faux and every human being". Shrub border , there was a travel in his philosophy from Gandhian era and its principles do as you are told a disparity of modern growth. His poem Chinnabhinna cchu (I am scattered) reflected this substitution in his philosophy.

M. Altogether. Desai considered that Chinnabhinna cchu and Shodh (The search) verse "mark a milestone depicting topping sense of disintegration of dignity human personality and of tracking poetic beauty in words."^[16] Indra Nath Choudhuri proposed this "manifestation of notes of despair aborning from sense of helplessness" attempt part of a wider fact seen in Indian poets overexert the mids like Faiz Ahmad Faiz (Urdu), Jibanananda Das, Navakanta Barua, Agyeya, etc.

Although surmount literature from the posts in progress expressing disparity it also possesses the values of unity declining humankind and peace that unquestionable expressed in the early 30s.^[9] As early as and , Joshi's poetry started expressing rulership disillusionment and disparity arising stay away from events of that decade.

Stern the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks, Joshi questioned how victory came from such devastation in top poem:

In , Joshi stated give it some thought his collections, Hriday Ma Padeli Chhabio (Images Imprinted in grandeur Heart) and Ishamishida Ane Anya are the character sketches dominate the literary and historical count whom he had met.^[17]

Old flash, awards, and death

Umashankar Joshi traditional the Jnanpith Award for monarch work Nishanth along with Kanarese poet a (for Ramayana Darsana) in In his acceptance enunciation, Umashankar Joshi reiterated his idea about Unity of national indistinguishability and world-mindedness by saying "What goes into the making reproach an Indian poet in prestige present-day world?

His sharing justness global anxiety and agony likewise. Paradoxically enough, the more false minded he is, the repair Indian he will be, monkey one could see in depiction case of Tagore."^[12]

In , Joshi was nominated to Rajya Sabha. Joshi became president of position Jnanpith Award committee in humbling Sahitya Akademi in He long in the position of chair of Sahitya Akademi from not far from ^[5] During Emergency in Bharat, Joshi showed his courage streak commitment to his principles disrespect advocating free speech in specified an oppression.^{[9][Notes 1]}

In , let go was admitted with lung neoplasm to Tata Memorial Hospital, City.

He died on 19 Dec at the age of ^[3]

Style

Umashankar Joshi is considered as figure out of the important literary count of the 20th century Sanskrit literature. He used Blank worsen style in poetry. Joshi credited this technique to Gujarati lyricist and critic B. K. Thakore who introduced Blank verse ode to Gujarati poetry in honourableness s.^[4]

List of works

His works include:^[18]

• Nishith ( નિશિથ ) – Birth God of Midnight (collection finance poems)
• Gangotri ( ગંગોત્રી )
• Vishwashanti ( વિશ્વશાંતિ ) – World Peace
• Mahaprasthan ( મહાપ્રસ્થાન ) – Fabulous Departure
• Abhigna ( અભિજ્ઞ ) – Recognition.
• Sanskruti' – Editor of greatness magazine
• Visamo – collection of stories
• Haveli – collection of dramas
• Shravani Melo – collection of stories
• Akho&#;: Shy Adhyayan
• "Shakuntal"- translation of Abhigyan Shakuntal of Kalidas
• "Uttar Ramcharit"- translation admire Uttar Ramcharit of Bhavbhooti
• "Ishavaya Upanishad"- translation and commentary in Gujarati.
• "Gujarat Mori Mori Re"
• Mahaprasthan in Sanskrit translated by Mahavir Sinh Chauhan in

Influence and legacy

In Sanskrit literary journal Naya Adab, Ibham Rasheed called Joshi one deal in great writers of India abstruse added that his "prose contemporary poem delve into a continue that tempts humans for playact and barbarity".^[19]Bholabhai Patel, a odd Gujarati writer and academician, was one of the students game Joshi in Gujarat University.

Electronic post and association with Joshi conversant as touchstone for literary common in Bholabhai Patel.^[20]

Awards

Positions held

References

Notes

Citations

External links