Umashankar Joshi

Umashankar Jethalal Joshi (21 July 1911 – 19 December 1988) was an Indian poet, scholar and writer known for his contributions to Gujarati literature.

He wrote most of his works in Gujarati.

Umashankar Joshi was born to Jethalal Kamalji and Navalbai in a small village named Bamna (now in Bhiloda Taluka of Aravalli district, Gujarat).

He had eight siblings including six brothers and two sisters.

Umashankar Joshi's father, Jethalal who worked as a Karbhari of several Jagirs, wanted his sons to get an English education.

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.

Upon learning this Jethalal joined Joshi in Sir Pratap High School of Idar.

As a boy who was raised in an orthodox environment, Joshi always heard "highly sensitive and expressive language" which shaped his future style, especially in writing plays.

As a child, he had excursions to hilly areas of Aravalli and visits to colorful monsoon fairs in and around Bamna.

This village life left a profound impact on his language and developed "lyrical vein" in him.

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

He joined Proprietary High School in Ahmedabad for his matriculation in 1927.

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

Ahmedabad was then part of British India while Idar and Bamna were under princely rule of Idar state.

Ahmedabad introduced Joshi to Gujarati literature.

This city also helped raise his social and political consciousness.

In 1928, Joshi joined Gujarat College, Ahmedabad.

In January 1929, 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.

On 26 December 1929 in Lahore sessions, congress declared that Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) was their mission.

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

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

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

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

Joshi along with two other friends climbed Mount Abu, the highest peak in the Aravalli mountain range to watch the moon rise over Nakki Lake on the mountain.

After a joyous journey to the hilltop, the autumnal fall moon and the lake inspired Joshi to write his first-ever published poem.

The poem, Nakhee Sarovare Sarat poornimaa (Tr: Autumnal full moon at Nakki Lake) which was published in Gujarat college magazine, describes writing poetry in a stanza:

In April 1930, Joshi joined Viramgam satyagraha camp as a Satyagrahi.

British officials arrested him along with other Satyagrahis in November 1930.

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

This initial imprisonment extended up to 14 weeks.

As a result of Gandhi–Irwin Pact, Joshi was also released with thousands of political prisoners in early 1931.

He attended Karachi conference held in March 1931.

Joshi attended classes in Gujarat Vidyapith from July for six months.

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

Vishwa Shanti is a long poem and it "refers to Gandhi's message and Lifework".

This work expresses the poet's idea that "Even if Bapu's visit to the west is directed towards Indian independence, it will bring more effectively the message of peace to the West than Independence to [Indian] Nation".

Although Joshi was strongly influenced by Gandhi's life and message, he never tried to be associated with Mahatma Gandhi personally or politically.

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

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

Even though the meeting was "exciting" Joshi never tried to meet Gandhi again.