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l i f e |
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Part-1 :
1896 - 1922 |
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August 28, 1896 |
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Chotila Hill
Abode of Goddess Chamunda |
Bust
at the foothill |
Chotila Town
Aerial view, as of now |
Born on August 28, 1896
Vikram Samvat 1952,
Shraavan Vad Paancham ( Naag
Panchami )
at Chotila,
District
Surendranagar, Gujarat,
India
in a Dashaa Shrimaali Jain Vanik
family
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house at
Policelines, Chotila
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father
Kalidas
Devchand Meghani
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mother
Dholiba
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his father,
a Fojhadaar
in Agency Police, was
posted at Chotila |
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Jail |
Police Station |
Horse-stable |
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Dando
(baton) used by his policeman
father |
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Janma Kundali (Horoscope) |
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Meghani recollects |
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some of the hertiage landmarks
dotting Paanchaal
region |
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Suraj Deval
- Sun Temple
near Thangadh, District Surendranagar |
Tarnetar -
Trineteshwar Mahadev Temple
near
Thangadh, District Surendranagar |
Navlakha Temple
Sejakpar,
near Sayla, District Surendranagar |
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Rajkot
Memoirs
No place was perhaps dearer to his heart than Rajkot !
He arrived there as a two-year toddler
and stayed on for the next six years,
which saw him blossom into an eight-year bonny boy.
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Policelines
at Sadar Bazaar
where he stayed with his policeman father.
family of ten lived on his father's monthly salary of Rupees 15.
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courtesy Lang Library, Rajkot
Connaught
Hall
often visited with his family
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artist Jagdeep
Smart
Governer's
Convoy
went with
his teachers to watch
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courtesy European Gymkhana, Rajkot
European
Gymkhana
loved to watch the Royals playing cricket
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Darbargarh
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Jam Tower |
Raiya Tower
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Bedi Tower |
Meghani recollects |
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School Years
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First School Attended
Sadar Taluka School,
Rajkot
1901 |
Rajkot School Register |
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Datha |
Paliyad |
Jhinjhuwada |
Primary Education continued at
Datha,
Paliyad, Jhinjhuwada, Wadhwan
Camp,
Lakhapadar,
Bagasara |
Wadhwan Camp (now
Surendranagar) |
Lakhapadar |
Bagasara |
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Middle School
Bagasara |
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Matriculation
Government High School,
Amreli
1912 |
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Was a bright
student who always topped the class. |
Loved to read.
Read mainly Kalapi and
Nhanalal. |
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Nhanalal Kavi
(1877-1946) |
Jaya-Jayant
one of his
better-known works |
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Wrote poems
which he would sing in his vibrant voice. |
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Jain
Paathshaalaa,
Bagasara |
First Poem at the age of 12
A philanthropist, Chimanaji Velaji, visiting the Jain Paathshaalaa (study centre) at Bagasara
took out
a donation.
The Jain Muni Manekchandji there announced --- "this Jhavabhai of ours will now thank
the donor in his own way".
And the boy Jhaver, without delay or fuss whatsoever, burst into a
spontaneously
composed four-line thanks-giving verse.
The donor, in appreciation, gave a prize of Rupees 25.
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'Vilapi' was one of the pseudonyms he
used. |
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Baal Mitra Mandal |
Formed Baal Mitra Mandal,
a group
of school friends at Bagasara,
and carried out various social and cultural activities under its banner.
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his friends
at Bagasara School |
Girdharlal Kalidas
Desai
(1898-1956) |
Gulabchand Moolji Vakhariya
(1893-1980) |
Lalchand Jaichand Vora
(1896-1989) |
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and their
homes
where he was a regular visitor |
Girdharlal
Desai
Upaashray Sheri |
Gulabchand
Vakhariya
Vakhariya Sheri, Nani Bazaar |
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Gulabchand Vakhariya -
Brain, Girdharlal Desai - Hand, Meghani - Heart of the group.
The group performed historical and social dramas
on the Annual Social Gathering
which were enjoyed and appreciated by people from all walks of life. |
Rana Pratap |
Julius Caesar |
Sikandar |
Hamlet |
Shahjahan |
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He was associated
with all aspects of the drama : selecting the theme, writing the script,
picking up the cast, designing costumes and stage, directing and even acting. |
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Khetani Jain Boarding, Amreli |
Morning Prayer
composed by
him which continued to be sung
at the boarding school at Amreli even after he left it. |
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On passing his Matriculation examination,
he was presented with a Maan-Patra (citation) at a function
organised by his friends of
Baal Mitra Mandal on the terrace of
Darbargarh of Bagasara.
He thanked his friends quoting Sanskrit verses. |
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College Years
Samaldas College,
Bhavnagar |
Bahauddin College, Junagadh |
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1913 |
Previous |
Samaldas College,
Bhavnagar |
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1914 |
Inter Arts |
Samaldas College,
Bhavnagar |
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1915 |
Junior B A
- 1st term |
Bahauddin College,
Junagadh |
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1915 |
Junior B A
- 2nd term |
Samaldas College,
Bhavnagar |
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1917 |
B A
( English and Sanskrit ) |
Samaldas College,
Bhavnagar |
Bahauddin College, he felt, would be a better place for the study of English
and Sanskrit,
and he therefore moved over there only to return to Samaldas College after just
one term.
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He was more inclined
towards Literature and Language.
Took active part in College Debates and Social gatherings. |
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He lived a simple life. |
A white long coat,
a dhoti
reaching well down the knees and a
turban typically
tied around his head
was his regular attire
in the college. |
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His
simple and sober nature prompted his college mates to call him
Raja Janak |
He washed his own clothes and took bath with cold water even in chilly winter mornings.
He didnot take anything between the two regular meals --- not even tea. |
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Samaldas College
Hostels, Bhavnagar
where he stayed |
Old Residency
behind Jasonath Mahadev Temple |
New Residency
near Samaldas College |
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Jasonath Mahadev
Temple, Bhavnagar |
Every Poonam
(full moon) night
the students organised a gathering on the premises of Jasonath Mahadev Temple.
He sang, in his sweet melodious voice, poems of Kalapi and Nhanalal. |
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his friend at Samaldas College, Bhavnagar |
Kapil Parmanand Thakkar
'Majnu'
(1892-1959)
Poet, Writer, Critic, Columnist
nephew of
Thakkar Bapa
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Ghanti
(a pair of grinding stones)
Meghani used to help
Kapilbhai's
wife Ujamben
and sister Kanchanben |
Kapilbhai's
house
in Vasani Faliyu, Danapeeth |
Dagger
which Meghani gifted to Kapilbhai |
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Close to the
entire family, he often visited them.
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Thakkar
Brothers
left to right
Ramubhai, Kapilbhai, Anantbhai |
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First
performance in public singing
1914 |
Sir Bhavsinhji Gohil
Maharaja of
Bhavnagar |
Aradeshar
Khabardar
Noted Gujarati Poet |
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Meghani sang Khabardar's
popular song Amaaree Gunavantee
Gujarat
during an Annual Social Gathering of Samaldas College with emotion
which held spellbound the entire audience including the chief guest, Maharaja of Bhavnagar. |
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1941 issue |
Poem |
Prose
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Contributed to The
Samaldas College
Magazine under the pseudonym of
`M'. |
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He had started taking interest in the game of Tennis
and was invariably to be spotted on the court,
dot on time, racket in hand, whenever it was the turn of his group to take to the
court.
He soon excelled at the game, and in one of the tournaments even reached the semi-final
stage !
As for Cricket, he enjoyed watching good, interesting matches. |
Gaurishankar Joshi `Dhoomketu'
(1892-1965)
who was later to sparkle in the firmament of Gujarati literature
was his classmate at
Bahauddin College, Junagadh. |
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Sanatan Dharma
High School, Bhavnagar |
Audichya Brahmin
Boarding, Bhavnagar |
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While teaching at
Sanatan Dharma High School
at Bhavnagar he read
for
M A.
and also worked as Rector at Audichya
Brahmin
Boarding.
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However, on getting the news of the
ill-health of elder brother
Lalchandbhai
who had settled at Calcutta
(now Kolkota)
rushed there, leaving mid-way everything on hand. |
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1918 - 1921 :
Calcutta
(now Kolkota)
Raj Bhavan |
Writer's Building |
Howrah Bridge |
Victoria Memorial |
Marble Palace |
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the city of joy |
Kali Ghat |
High Court |
Indian Museum |
General Post
Office |
St. Paul's
Cathedral |
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Learned, and perfected
in no time, Bangla
by . . .
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Chowranghee |
Burra Bazar |
BBD Bagh |
... trying and deciphering
Street Signboards
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Dwijendralal
Roy
(1863 - 1913) |
Star
Theatre |
Raja Ram Mohan
Roy
(1774 - 1833) |
Brahmo
Samaj |
... reading and watching
Bengali Theatre and
Drama |
...
attending sunday weekly meetings of
Brahmo Samaj |
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Rabindranath
Tagore
(1861-1941) |
Bankim Chandra
Chattopadhay
(1838 - 1894)
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Dakshinaranjan
Mitra Majumdar
(1877 - 1957) |
Dinesh Chandra
Sen
(1866 - 1939) |
... reading
Bengali Poetry |
... reading
Bengali Novels |
... studying
Bengali Folklore |
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... and thus slowly soaked himself in
Bengali literature
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First song
he composed during his stay at Calcutta
1918
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courtesy Hasmukh
Lathia, USA |
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He joined Jeevanlal and Co. in
1918 as Personal Assistant of the
owner Jeevanlal Shah.
He was the first graduate to join the company. |
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Mehta Building,
55,Canning Street
office of the company |
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The company carried out all its business operations in English with a refreshing modern outlook.
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He was soon promoted as the Manager of the
company's factory at Belur,
Crown Aluminium,
which
had a workforce of over 500 people.
Fondly called Paghadee
Babu
by his colleagues
and workers alike,
he was loved by one and all for his simple, unassuming nature.
"I am,"
he would often say,
"but a glorified labourer."
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Armenian Ghat
Rising early,
every morning, he would get ready within no time.
Dressed in his
traditional
attire of a
dhoti and a
coat
with a
turban typically tied around his head in a style all his own,
he would set off on his bicycle for the Armenian Ghat on the eastern bank of the river Hoogly.
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Ferry
From there he would embark a ferry
along with his bicycle for which too he had a
monthly pre-paid pass !
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Belur Ghat
On reaching the Belur Ghat on the western bank
across the river he would disembark ----
yes,
along with his bicycle, which he would then ride again to reach the factory
nearby. |
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picture from the passport |
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Visited
England
with the owner of
the company
1919 |
Oxford University |
Westminster Palace, London |
Cambridge University |
Visited London, Oxford University,
Cambridge University and other places of interest
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Lalchand Kalidas
Meghani
Meghani's Eldest Brother |
In 1917 Lalchandbhai started a firm called
'Upayogi Vastu Bhandar'
at 14, Amartala Street
which manufactured and
sold essential things.
It later came to be known as 'L K Meghanee'. |
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click here to view an
Old Map |
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1921
Written from Calcutta to his close childhood
friend
Gulabchand Vakhariya during a moment of rare
inspiration.
September 18, 1921
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Yes Kathiawar; I Love you |
Worked there for around two and a half years --- to the complete satisfaction of the
employers.
But, the heart inside was restless. It was as if Kathiawar was calling him.
The friends were sarcastic : what exactly were the prospects there for one looking forward to live in
Kathiawar then ---
and on pen at that ---
which encouraged him to leave his present bread-giving job ?
The call however proved irresistable and, voluntarily foregoing a prospective career,
he returned to Kathiawar
in November, 1921
Incidentally, the entire staff of the
company was there at the railway station to see him off
as he left Calcutta for Kathiawar.
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his ancestral home
Bagasara |
Glimpses of Bagasara |
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river Saatallee |
Bageshwar Mahadev |
Ra' Mandalik's memorial |
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Meghani's
Mentor
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Darbar
Vajsurvala Valeravala
(1873-1953)
Hadala - Bagasara
estate
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Friend, Philosopher, Guide
and, finally, a
Fan
of Meghani
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Bagasara - Darbargarh
his work-place |
Darbargadh |
Main Gate |
Darbar Hall |
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Guest House
where Meghani stayed |
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Hadala
his home |
Darbargadh |
Temple which
Vajsurvala built |
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river Hadala |
Guest House
on the bank of river Hadala
where Meghani stayed
Seen in the distant background is the
Vrajsureshwar
Temple he built
in memory of his dear friend Kalapi |
Banglawadi
Meghani loved this cool spot |
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Meghani greatly respected his insights in subjects like History
and Culture, Literature and Folklore, Philosophy and Religion,
calling him the 'Fountainhead
of Sorathee Folklore'. |
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Thinker, Social Reformist , an able Administrator --- and a knowledgeable Musician too ! |
Theosophist
Started a centre of Theosophical Society at Hadala.
Successed in persuading Dr. Annie Besant to
visit the then almost unknown Hadala as early as in 1902. |
Gradually leaned towards Gandhian ideas.
Brought Mahatma Gandhi,
along with his followers, all
the way to Bagasara in 1925. |
recollects Meghani
"... How often have I been pulled to his peaceful abode by the sheer love and affection which
he has bestowed on me ever since my childhood days !
I would join him there for days on, listening to the peacocks call their mates
in their melodic and mystic voice,
soaking myself into the serenity of ambience over there, and greedily sucking into
my young eager nostrils
the faint fragerence of real old Kaathee
culture and splendour delicately floating in the air all around.
Vajsur Vala, sitting upright, would, in his mild
measured voice,
unfold before us, one after another, tales and stories that would make one sober
and wiser.
At times, when in the best of moods, he would take down from atop a high
Almaari (shelf) a tender Sataar
---
presumably a playmate
of his youthful days --- tune it up and play melodies that would melt our
hearts.
His daughters would sing us marriage songs.
He would painstakingly search for, and specially invite to Hadala, expert storytellers for me
to listen to.
I found it interesting, sweet and without, any intention, started putting
these down.
This, yes, was my Deeksha (initiation) in folklore ..." |
"Oh," Meghani once mused :
"if I get to spend just a couple of more weeks with him,
I would return with enough material to take my
Sorath Taaraa(n) ...
(his path breaking novel) story along in a second Volume."
His wish, alas, remained unfulfilled.
Gujarati literature was no less a loser at that. |
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Vadia-Devali
Guest House of
Darbar Vajsurvala ... |
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... where
Meghani stayed whenever he visited Vadia along with
Darbar Vajsurvala |
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Meghani's Kathi friends at Vadia-Devali |
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Darbar Bawavala Jivanavala
(1874-1930)
a close friend of
Kalapi and Darbar Vajsurvala |
Darbar
Suragvala Bawavala
(1904-1950)
Vadia estate |
Vadia Palace |
It was Darbar Vajsurvala who
introduced Meghani to Darbar Suragvala,
a
thinker and social reformist having deep interest in literature and folklore. |
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whith his wife Amarba |
Hathibhai Rambhai Vank
Administrator of Vadia estate |
his house at Vadia |
The couple
opened up a treasure trove of
Kathi marriage-songs before Meghani
who included these in Chu(n)dadee,
Volume 2,
a collection of marriage songs from various castes and communities
first published in 1929. |
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1922
Married
Damyantiben
daughter of
Shah
Manilal Manekchand Khara and Diwalibai |
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August 18, 1922
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... fulfilling the last wish of his terminally-ill sister, Labhuben. |
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People flocked the
streets
of Bagasara to watch the marriage procession
of the first graduate of the town
which was taken out in a Buggy
(chariot) pulled by two horses. |
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The song
believed to have been composed
by him specially for the occasion
and full-throatedly rendered aloud,
at the instance of the friends there, right in the presence of Damyantiben,
the newly-wed bride being welcome at her Sasuraal
(house of in-laws). |
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Incidentally, the bride was prevailed upon to enter her new home with her face uncovered
--- something most unusual in those days. |
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Shah
Manilal Manekchand Khara
Damyantiben's father
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Shivlal Gosaliya
Maasaa (maternal uncle) |
Jam
Ranjit Sinh
(1872 - 1933) |
She was staying at
Jetpur with her Maasaa
(maternal uncle)
---
Shivlal Gosaliya,
who was the Diwaan
of Bilkha state and
who is fondly remembered even today
as perhaps the only bowler in cricket to have taken the wicket of the
legendary
Jam
Ranjit Singh,
the fiery batsman feared by bowlers the world over,
with the very first ball he ever bowled to him.
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Bilkhaa-no
Utaaro, Jetpur
the house of Shivlal
Gosaliya and the venue of the marriage |
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Meghani
remembers
Shivlal Gosaliya
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Damyantiben's
handwriting |
Sankalibai Gosaliya
Maasee
(maternal aunt) |
She took down
the poem recited by her
Maasee (maternal aunt),
Sankalibai Shivlal Gosaliya |
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