Govardhanram Tripathi

April 27, 2016

A commemorative postage stamp on Govardhanram Madhavram Tripathi, an Indian Gujarati novelist, author of 4-volume novel, Saraswatichandra, a masterpiece of Gujarati literature :

Issued by India

Issued on Apr 27, 2016

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to release a commemorative postage stamp on Govardhanram Tripathi.

Credits :
Stamp / FDC / Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.30 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Govardhanram Madhavram Tripathi

Born on Oct 20, 1855 at Nadiad, Kheda district, Gujarat, India

Died on Jan 4, 1907 at Mumbai, India

About :

Govardhanram Madhavram Tripathi, born on 20^th October 1855, at Nadiad in Gujarat, was a renowned novelist of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, who wrote mostly in Gujarati language. He regarded his childhood years and the first few years of his life as the happiest period of his life. After finishing his Graduation in 1875, he studied Law and completed L.L.B. In 1883, despite poor health and financial difficulties. He started working as a lawyer in Bombay High Court in June 1884. He did remarkably well, despite refusing, as a matter of principle, lucrative assignments offered to him. During this period, he also did an incredibly large amount of literary work of highest merit.
Shri Tripathi is known for his four volume novel, Saraswatichandra, which has the distinction of being one of the most widely read books of all times in Gujarati Literature. “Saraswatichandra” Part I was published in 1887 followed by “Snehamudra” (the Signet of Love), a collection of poems in 1889. Saraswatichandra Part II was published in 1892 and it was immensely popular. The event was most unusual and unparalleled in Gujarat. The III^rd and IV^th Parts of Saraswatichandra were published in 1898 and 1901 respectively.
Retiring early, at the age of 43, he returned to his hometown and continued to contribute to Gujarati literature and public service.
Shri Govardhanram Tripathi took up an active role in the Indian National Congress during 1902. In 1905, he was elected as the first president of the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad. He also wrote various articles and essays in the papers ‘Vasant‘ and ‘Samalochak‘, which were published as books later on. Shri Govardhanram Tripathi was also fluent in English, and wrote ‘Scrap Book‘ in the language. Some of the other works by Shri Govardhanram Tripathi are Leelavati Jeevankala, Saakshar Jeevan, Navalram Nu Kavi Jeevan, Dayaram No Akshardeh, and Sadavastu Vichar.
The period from 1885 to 1915 is called “Govardhan-Yug” or “Govardhan-Era” in Gujarati literature. Shri Govardhanram Tripathi died in Mumbai on the evening of 4 January 1907.
Text : Based on the material received from Gujarat Sahitya Parishad.