38 Facts About Umashankar Joshi

Umashankar Jethalal Joshi was an Indian poet, scholar and writer known for his contributions to Gujarati literature.

Umashankar Joshi was born to Jethalal Kamalji and Navalbai in a small village named Bamna.

Umashankar Joshi had eight siblings including six brothers and two sisters.

In 1916, Joshi started his education at Primary school in Bamna and spent two years in 4th standard due to the absence of the teacher for a long time.

In Sir Pratap High School, Idar, Umashankar Joshi continued his studies until 1927 for 6 years.

Umashankar Joshi joined Proprietary High School in Ahmedabad for his matriculation in 1927.

Umashankar Joshi considered reaching Ahmedabad to pursue higher education was a major breakthrough for him.

Umashankar Joshi continued his studies there until he left British education under National movement influence in 1930.

The village environment in which Umashankar Joshi spent his childhood gave him inspiration for his poetry in his college days.

The earliest of his published poems was written when Umashankar Joshi was 17 when he had just completed matriculation and joined Gujarat college.

In January 1929, Umashankar Joshi participated in a strike called by students of Gujarat Schools and colleges and this marked his first association with ongoing National movement in India.

Gandhi and Purna swaraj declaration inspired Umashankar Joshi to become a Satyagrahi.

Umashankar Joshi was imprisoned initially in Sabarmati jail, and later in Yerwada tent-jail.

In 1932, Umashankar Joshi was again imprisoned for eight months period at Sabarmati and Visapur jails.

Umashankar Joshi penned his first poetry work Vishwa Shanti in 1931 in the jail.

Umashankar Joshi briefly met Gandhi in 1936 when Gandhi was presiding over Gujarati Literary Conference as a delegate and member.

Between 1930 and 1934, when Umashankar Joshi was participating in the Independence struggle, he wrote several poems, plays, articles, novels, and stories in Gujarati.

In 1936, Umashankar Joshi started writing one-act plays and published them in a collection called Sapna Bharathi.

In Gujarati literature, Umashankar Joshi was credited as a writer who initiated Progressive literary movement.

Umashankar Joshi was an active part of pan-Indian progressive writers' movement.

Umashankar Joshi considered Jatharagni, Panchali and Mochi as examples of his poems that reflect Marxist influence.

Umashankar Joshi got a job as a teacher at Goklibai High school, Mumbai in 1937.

Umashankar Joshi passed Master of Arts with Gujarati and Sanskrit subjects in First class at Mumbai University.

Umashankar Joshi started working as a part-time lecturer at Sydenham College of Commerce, Mumbai.

Umashankar Joshi published Nishith as an anthology of these poems in 1939.

Umashankar Joshi received the Jnanpith award for this work 29 years later in 1968.

Umashankar Joshi wrote prefaces to works of many contemporary poets like Prahlad Parekh, Krishnalal Shridharani, Nathalal Dave and others.

Umashankar Joshi tried to assess the characteristics and traits of New Wave literature and historical context to that through his critical essays.

In March 1954, Umashankar Joshi was appointed Member of the General Council and the executive committee of Sahitya Akademi from its inception.

Umashankar Joshi was appointed the head of School of languages in that university.

Umashankar Joshi continued to work in the same university until his retirement in 1972.

In 1964, Umashankar Joshi presided over convention of "Gujarat Sahitya Parishad" in Delhi.

In 1956, Umashankar Joshi stated that his collections, Hriday Ma Padeli Chhabio and Ishamishida Ane Anya are the character sketches of the literary and historical figures whom he had met.

Umashankar Joshi became president of the Jnanpith Award committee in 1976 and Sahitya Akademi in 1978.

Umashankar Joshi continued in the position of president of Sahitya Akademi from 1978 to 1983.

Umashankar Joshi died on 19 December 1988 at the age of 77.

Umashankar Joshi is considered as one of the important literary figures of the 20th century Gujarati literature.

Interaction and association with Umashankar Joshi acted as touchstone for literary taste in Bholabhai Patel.