Ishwar Petlikar

Ishvar Motibhai Patel (9 May 1916 - 22 November 1983), better known by his pen name Ishwar Petlikar, was an Indian Gujarati language author and journalist. Born and educated in villages of Gujarat, he taught in schools of villages before settling in Ahmedabad. Influenced by his experiences in villages and cities, his works talk about social culture and reforms.

Ishwar Patel was born in Kadava Patel family on 9 May 1916 in Petli village near Petlad in Gujarat to Motibhai and Jiviba. He changed his last name from Patel to Petlikar in dedication his village. His primary and secondary education was completed from Petli, Malataj and Sojitra villages and passed matriculation in 1935. He completed his teaching training from Vadodara in 1938 and started teaching at Nedra village near Padra in 1938 and then transferred to Saniyad village of Karjan in 1942. He started writing when he was studying. He edited Patidar and Aryaprakash magazines. He settled in Ahmedabad in 1960. He was involved in journalism and social reforms in 1944 and continued till his death. He died on 22 November 1983 following heart attack.

He was awarded Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak in 1961. He also edited Sansar, a periodical devoted to social problems.

Petlikar wrote more than forty books. The majority of his works are about social issues, culture and reforms.

His first novel Janamtip (Life Sentence; 1944) was about socially and economically deprived family.Bhavsagar (1951) was about life in village and its complexities. Pankhi no Melo (1948) and its sequel Patalkuvo (1949) are about life of thieves and police. Kajal ni Kotdi (1949) is about police department after independence of India in 1947. Others novel revolving around society in villages are Dharati no Avtar (1946), Kanku ne Kanya (1946) and Mari Haiyasagadi (1950). His novel about social life in cities include Taruna Othe Dungar (1954), Yug na Endhan (1961), Runanubandh (1963), Jujva Roop (1967), Setubandh (1969), Aabhijaat (1971).Lakshagriha (1965) is based on theme of sexual deviation.

His novella collections are Parasmani (1949), Chingari (1950), Aakashganga (1958), Kathputali (1962). His Short story about relationship between the mother and mentally challenged daughter Lohini Sagai was later made into Gujarati film of the same name in 1980 by Arun Bhatt. His novel Janamtip was adapted into film directed by Feroze A. Sarkar in 1973 by the same name.

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