Kumarpal Desai

Kumarpal Balabhai Desai is an author, critic, editor, journalist, columnist and translator from Gujarat, India. He studied and later taught at the Gujarat University. He is associated with several social and Gujarati literary organisations such as Gujarati Sahitya Parishad. He has written and edited more than hundred books including biographies and several works on Jainism. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2004. Kumarpal Desai was born on 30 August 1942 at Ranpur to Balabhai Desai whose nom-de-plume was Jaybhikhkhu, a prolific Gujarati writer; and Jayaben. His family is native of Sayla. He joined H. K. Arts College. He completed BA and MA in 1963 and 1965 respectively from Gujarat University with Gujarati as a major subject.