Indulal Yagnik's Autibiography in English: Much Awaited accomplishment

Indulal yagnik, a freedom-fighter, Gandhian (if Gandhi & Indulal allow that adjective), leader of Mahagujarat movement and one of the finest activist-politicians-firebrand speaker of Gujarat wrote 6 parts of autobiography in Gujarati.

The work is highly valued for detailed & intimate insight of social, public & political life of 20th century Gujarat. Starting from 'Saksharbhoomi' (Land of Literateur) Nadiad, it portrays major events like arrival of Gandhi in India & his taking over the freedom struggle, internal differences of congress leaders, his own tryst with film industry as a silent film maker, major events like Bardoli Satyagrah with socialist viewpoint etc. This list does not merit even as a highlight of the magnum opus the autobiography is.

Unfortunately and not uncommonly, like many other major works in Gujarati, Indulal's autobiography was out of print since long. Celebration of 50 years of Gujarat by government could not make this work available. It was Sanat Maheta, Indulal's perhaps only living associate & comrade (ex finance minister of Gujarat) decided to bring out Gujarati edition as a befitting tribute of the great leader.

As a pleasant coincidence, Manohar publication (Delhi) has done a commendable job (with Gujarat Vidyapeeth) by publishing English translation of Indulal's autobiography in 3 volumes. Translated by (late) Prof.Devvrat Pathak, Howard Spodek and John Wood, it is priced at Rs.2500 per set. This set of books is a must for anyone who wants to understand Guajarat of 20th century. The books should be available at major book stores, including 'Granthagar' (079-26580712) at Ahmedabad.

(Gujarati readers can have a look at another post in which inauguration function of Gujarati autobiography was covered in detail with memorable speeches of Bhagawatikumar Sharma, Sanat Mehta & Prakash N. Shah.)

http://urvishkothari-gujarati.blogspot.com/2011/06/blog-post_26.html