Govardhanram Tripathi

Govardhanram Madhavram Tripathi (1855-1907) was a towering figure in Gujarati literature, such that most Gujarati writers claim to have been influenced by him. The period of 1885-1915 was known as the ‘Pandit/Govardhan Yug’ of writing. It can be said that the modern Indian novel and the creation of the ‘national’ were in no small way influenced by his work.

Tripathi is the author of the classic novel quartet, Sarasvatichandra (1887-1901), known as the first Indian social novel. His other books include Snehmudra (1889) and The Classical Poets of Gujarat and Their Influence on Society and Morals (1894). Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali debuted in television in 2013 with a serial based on the Sarasvatichandra.