20 Facts About Manubhai Pancholi

Manubhai Pancholi known by his pen name Darshak, was a Gujarati language novelist, author, educationist and politician from Gujarat, India.

Manubhai Pancholi participated in the Indian independence movement and held several offices after independence.

Manubhai Pancholi was born on 15 October 1914 at Panchashiya village in Morbi district, Gujarat, India.

Manubhai Pancholi left study to participate in Salt Satyagraha in 1930 when he was studying at Wankaner.

Manubhai Pancholi started his career as a rector in educational institute, Dakshinamurti at Bhavnagar in 1932 and later joined as a professor in Gramdakshinamurt, Ambala in 1938.

Manubhai Pancholi was arrested during Quit India Movement in 1942 was jailed at Bhavnagar.

Manubhai Pancholi served as education minister of Bhavnagar State in 1948.

Manubhai Pancholi co-founded Lokbharti Gramvidyapith institute with Nanabhai Bhatt in 1953 at Sanosara.

Manubhai Pancholi married Vijayaben Patel, a daughter of Patidar family from Varad village of Bardoli, who predeceased him on 25 April 1995.

Manubhai Pancholi was a member of Gujarat Legislative Assembly from 1967 to 1971 and served as an education minister in 1970.

Manubhai Pancholi served as the president of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad from 1981 to 1983.

Manubhai Pancholi served as the chairman of the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi from 1991 to 1998.

Manubhai Pancholi died on 29 August 2001 at Sanosara, Bhavnagar, Gujarat following kidney ailment.

Manubhai Pancholi was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, and followed Gandhian thinking and ways in his writings and life as well.

The novels Manubhai Pancholi has written include: Jher To Pidha Chhe Jani Jani, Socrates, Bandhan ane Mukti, Bandeeghar, Deepnirvan and Prem ane Pooja, among which, Jher To Pidha Chhe Jani Jani and Socrates are regarded as classic.

Manubhai Pancholi's plays have been collected and published in: Paritran, Adharaso Sattavan, Jaliawala and Antim Adhyaya.

Manubhai Pancholi's classic adapted in the Gujarati film, Zer To Pidhan Jani Jani directed by Upendra Trivedi.

Manubhai Pancholi received Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak in 1964, Sahitya Akademi Award for Socrates in 1975 and Bharatiya Jnanpith Moortidevi Award for Jher To Pidha Chhe Jani Jani in 1987.

Manubhai Pancholi was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1991 for his work in public affairs.

Manubhai Pancholi received Saraswati Samman in 1997 for his book Kurukshetra and Jamnalal Bajaj Award in 1996.