Narhari Parikh
{{Short description|Indian writer and activist (1891–1957)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Narhari Parikh
| image =
| caption =
| pseudonym =
| birth_name = Narhari Dwarkadas Parikh
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1891|10|7}}
| birth_place = Ahmedabad, Gujarat
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1957|7|15|1891|10|17}}
| death_place = Swaraj Ashram, Bardoli
| occupation = Writer, activist and social reformer
| language = Gujarati
| nationality = Indian
| education = * Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Law
| alma_mater =
| period =
| genres =
| subject =
| movement = Indian independence movement
| notableworks = * Manav Arthshastra (1945)
- Mahadevbhainu Purvacharit (1950)
| spouse = Maniben
| children = Vanmala (daughter)
Mohan (son)
| relatives =
| awards =
| signature =
| years_active =
}}
Narhari Dwarkadas Parikh was a writer, independence activist and social reformer from Gujarat, India. Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, he was associated with Gandhian institutes throughout his life. He wrote biographies, edited works by associates and translated some works. His writing also reflected Gandhian influence.
Biography
Parikh was born on 17 October 1891 in Ahmedabad.{{cite book|last=Brahmabhatt|first=Prasad|title=અર્વાચીન ગુજરાતી સાહિત્યનો ઈતિહાસ (ગાંધીયુગ અને અનુગાંધી યુગ)|publisher=Parshwa Publication|year=2007|location=Ahmedabad|pages=63–64|language=gu|script-title=gu:Arvachin Gujarati Sahityano Itihas (Gandhiyug Ane Anugandhi Yug)|trans-title=History of Modern Gujarati Literature (Gandhi Era & Post-Gandhi Era)}} His family belonged to Kathlal (now in Kheda district). He studied in Ahmedabad and matriculated in 1906. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics in 1911 and LL.B. in 1913. He started practicing law with his friend Mahadev Desai in 1914. In 1916, he left his practice and joined Mahatma Gandhi in social reform movements and later the Indian independence movement. He campaigned against untouchability, alcoholism and illiteracy. He also worked for freedom for women, sanitation, health care and schools run by Indians. He was associated with Rashtriya Shala (National School) run by Satyagraha Ashram in 1917. He joined Gujarat Vidyapith in 1920. He also managed Harijan Ashram from 1935. He served as the president of Basic Education Board in 1937. He was also principal of Gramsevak Vidyalaya in 1940. He was secretary of Gandhi for some years.{{cite web | title=નરહરિ પરીખ |trans-title= Narhari Parikh| website=Gujarati Sahitya Parishad | url=http://www.gujaratisahityaparishad.com/prakashan/sarjako/savishesh/Savishesh-Narhari-Parikh.html | language=gu | access-date=28 April 2017}} He had also served as the Chairman of Navajivan Trust.{{cite web | last=Shah | first=Jumana | title=Where's Mahatma Gandhi's final will? | website=dna | date=26 May 2013 | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-where-s-mahatma-gandhi-s-final-will-1839539 | access-date=28 April 2017}}
He had stroke of paralysis in 1947 but survived. He died on 15 July 1957 at Swaraj Ashram in Bardoli following paralysis and cardiac arrest.{{cite book|author=G.A. Natesan|title=The Indian Review|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f3fjAAAAMAAJ|volume=58|year=1957|publisher=G.A. Natesan & Company|page=384}}
After death of Gandhi, his ashes were kept at his Haveli in Ahmedabad before being immersed in Sabarmati River.{{cite web | title=Narhari Parikh's Haveli: Bapu's last link to walled city | website=The Times of India | date=30 January 2012 | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Narhari-Parikhs-Haveli-Bapus-last-link-to-walled-city/articleshow/11679982.cms | access-date=28 April 2017}}
Works
Parikh wrote some biographies of his associates; Mahadevbhainu Purvacharit (1950) of Mahadev Desai, Sardar Vallabhbhai Part 1-2 (1950, 1952) of Vallabhbhai Patel and Shreyarthini Sadhana (1953) of Kishorlal Mashruwala. Manav Arthshastra (1945) is his work on human economics. His writings on education, politics and Gandhian thought include Samyavad and Sarvoday (1934), Vardha Kelvanino Prayog (1939), Yantrani Maryada (1940). Atlu To Janjo (1922), Karandiyo (1928) and Kanyane Patro (1937, with Mahadev Desai) include his thoughts on education. Kautumbik Arthashastra (1926), Bardolina Kheduto (1927) and Sarvoday Samajni Zankhi discuss contemporary social issues.
He edited Namdar Gokhlena Bhashano (1918), Govindgaman (1923, with Ramnarayan V. Pathak), Navalgranthavali (1937), Mahadevbhaini Diary Part 1–7 (1948–50), Sardar Vallabhbhaina Bhashano (1949), Di. Ba. Ambalal Sakarlalna Bhashano (1949), Gandhijinu Geetashikshan (1956).
He co-translated some works of Rabindranath Tagore with Mahadev Desai such as Chitrangada (1916), Viday Abhishap (1920), Prachin Sahitya (1922). He also translated some works of Leo Tolstoy; Jate Majuri Karnaraone (1924) and Tyare Karishu Shu? (1925–26, with Rang Avadhoot).
Personal life
Parikh married Maniben and they had a daughter Vanmala and a son Mohan (born 24 August 1922).{{cite web | title=A Gandhi-intoxicated man | website=The Hindu | date=10 April 2005 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/10/stories/2005041000541400.htm | access-date=28 April 2017}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Vanmala Parikh wrote biography of Kasturba Gandhi, Amara Ba (1945), with Sushila Nayyar.
See also
References
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Category:Indian independence activists from Gujarat
Category:Indian social reformers
Category:Gujarati-language writers
Category:20th-century Indian biographers
Category:20th-century Indian translators