Chandrakant Keshavlal Bakshi was an Indian Gujarati-language author from Gujarat, India and a former Sheriff of Mumbai. He was known for his bold and new concepts in writing during his time in Gujarati literature. He is also addressed as Bakshi or Bakshibabu. Born in Palanpur, he completed higher education and had a business in Calcutta. He started writing there and later moved to Mumbai for his teaching career. He wrote 178 books, and wrote extensively in newspaper columns.
Life
Chandrakant Bakshi was born on 20 August 1932 at Palanpur (now in Banaskantha district, Gujarat). He was second child of Keshavlal Bakshi and Chanchalben, a Gujarati Jain family. He completed his primary education in Palanpur. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in 1952 from St. Xavier's College, Calcutta. He moved to Calcutta (now Kolkata) where he studied for an LL.B. in 1956 and an M.A. in History in 1963.
He was in the textile business for twelve years and had a garment shop in Calcutta. He wrote his first short story Makan Nu Bhut (Ghost of the House) at this shop. He published his first book Padgha Doobi Gaya (Sunken Echoes) in 1957. In 1969, he moved to Mumbai and settled there and started teaching history at Raheja College. He joined Mithibai College as a professor of history and politics from 1970 to 1980. He also taught postgraduate students at the University of Bombay and was its senate member. He was the principal of L. S. Rajani Arts and Commerce College from 1980 to 1982 and retired from there. Later he accepted writing and journalism as his career. He wrote columns for several dailies and magazines. He also served as an adviser to Divya Bhaskar daily.
He was appointed to the ceremonial post of Sheriff of Mumbai in 1999 by the Government of Maharashtra. He died on 25 March 2006 in Ahmedabad following a heart attack.
Writing
Style Bakshi prepared only one draft for his writings. His language was a mix-up of Gujarati and Urdu words. His novels and stories had impact of existentialism, his characters are suffering and frustrated yet surviving. Ekra (1963) is one such example. In his novels, the story was a chief element. He rejected social and literary taboos in his novels but his works were concerned for readers. He freely borrowed words and phrases from Hindi, Urdu and English in his works. He wrote historical fiction like Atitvan and Ayanvritta. His short stories have themes like complexities of urban life, emotional outbursts, and the atmosphere of war. He wrote extensively on history and culture. According to Rediff, his writing was 'sharp and brutal' when he criticised people he disliked. His biography Bakshinama was partially published in serialised form in Gujarati daily Samkalin. Some parts were not published due to its violent imagery like urinating on the dead body of his enemy.
Works He is best known for his sixth novel Paralysis published in 1967, which revolves around protagonist Professor Shah who becomes paralyzed and reminisces about his past life events in hospital. The novel is translated in Marathi, English and Russian. Another well known non-fiction book he authored is મહાજાતિ ગુજરાતી (Gujarati - A great race), a book on the traditions, characteristics and behavior of the various castes of Gujarat.
He authored 178 books, including 17 books on history and culture, 26 novels, 15 collections of short stories, six books on politics, eight travelogues, two plays and 25 books on varied subjects, besides his autobiography Bakshinama.
He has also written extensively in newspapers and 15 of his books have been translated into Hindi, Marathi, English and other languages.
His works are as follows:Introduction of Samkal(Novel)
Short stories Name Year English meaningPyar1958LoveEk sanjh ni mulaquat1961Meeting at one eveningMira1965Mashal1968LampKramashaha1971To be continuedKetlic American vartao1972Some American storiesBakshini ketlic vartao1972Some stories by BakshiPashchim1976WestAajni soviet vartao1977Soviet stories of todayChandrakant bakshi ni shreshth vartao1977Greatest stories by Chandrakant Bakshi139 vartao-11987139 stories-First part139 vartao-21987139 stories-Second partChandrakant bakshi : Sadabahar vartao2002Chandrakant Bakshi : Evergreen storiesBakshi ni vartao(Akademi)has not been publishedStories of Bakshi(Academy)KuttiBitch (female dog)
Novels Name Year English meaningPadgha dubi gaya1957Sunken EchoesRoma1959RomaEkaltana kinara1959Shores of SolitudeAakar1963ShapesEk ane Ek1965One and oneParalysis1967ParalysisJatakkatha1969Jataka TalesHoneymoon1971HoneymoonAyanvrutt1972The Equator, Transition of events from Prehistoric to Historic era spanning over 10,000 years narrated in fictional styleAtitavan1973In the Timberland of Ancient Time, a sequel to Ayanvrutt, yet another novel blending fiction and historical accountLagnani aagli rate1973On the night prior to marriageZindani1974The prisonSurkhab1974PelicanAakashe kahyu1975Sky toldReef Marina1976Reef MarinaYatra no ant (translated)1976End of the tourDishatarang1979Wave of the directionBaki raat1979Remaining nightHatheli par Badbaki1981Deduction on palmHu, Konarak Shah1983I, Konarak ShahLili nasoma Pankhar1984Translated as "Lost Illusions", literally meaning Autumn in every leaf, translated as पतझड हर पत्ते में in HindiVansh1986DescentPriy Nikki1987Dear NikkiChorus1991Maru naam taru naam1995My name Your nameSamkaal1998Contemporaneous
Columns He wrote weekly columns in several Gujarati newspapers and magazines including Divya Bhaskar, Gujarat Samachar, Sandesh, Mid-Day, Chitralekha.
Adaptations His popular short story 'એક સાંજની મુલાકાત ... ' (One evening visit) was adapted into a telefilm "Ek Shaam Ki Mulakaat" by Tigmanshu Dhulia. It was the first episode of acclaimed Indian television series Star Bestsellers, aired on Star Plus in 1999–2000. The main leads were played by Irrfan Khan and Tisca Chopra.
Controversies His short story Kutti was banned by the Government of Gujarat and an arrest warrant was issued against him; so he fought a court case against the government. They later withdrew all charges against him.
He criticised Indian politician, Bal Thackeray in his column and was asked to apologise by Thackeray's party members. He refused and never did.
In popular culture His autobiography Bakshinama was adapted into a Gujarati play, Hu Chandrakant Bakshi, by Shishir Ramavat. It was directed by Manoj Shah and starred Pratik Gandhi in the lead role.
Personal life He married Bakula, who died in 2002. Their daughter Reeva Bakshi lives in Ahmedabad. His elder brother Lalit and younger brother Bakul, a retired I. A. S. officer, are also columnists.
References