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{{Other uses}}
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{{Infobox writer
{{Infobox writer
|name = Gaura Pant (Shivani)
| name = Gaura Pant
|image = Gaura Pant 'Shivani' (1923 –2003) .jpg
| image = Gaura Pant 'Shivani' (1923 –2003) .jpg
|imagesize = 180px
| imagesize = 180px
|caption = Gaura Pant (Shivani) (1923–2003)
| pseudonym = Shivani
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1923|10|17}}
|pseudonym = Shivani
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| birth_place = [[Rajkot]], Gujarat, India
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|birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1923|10|17}}
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2003|03|21|1923|10|17}}
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|birth_place = [[Rajkot]], Gujarat, India
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| death_place = New Delhi, India
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|death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2003|03|21|1923|10|17}}
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| occupation = Novelist
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|death_place = New Delhi, India
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| nationality = Indian
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|occupation = novelist
| period =
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|nationality = Indian
|period =
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| subject =
|subject =
| movement =
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| influences =
|movement =
| influenced =
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|influences =
|influenced =
| signature =
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| website =
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}}
}}


'''Gaura Pant''' (17 October 1923<ref>[http://www.manushi-india.org/pdfs_issues/PDF%20Files%20147/A%20Conservative%20Rebel%202-5.pdf A Memoir, Ira Pande]</ref>– 21 March 2003), better known as '''Shivani''', was one of the popular [[Hindi]] magazine story writers of the 20th century and a pioneer in writing Indian women based fiction. She was awarded the [[Padma Shri]] for her contribution to [[Hindi literature]] in 1982.<ref name=padma/> Almost all of her works are in print today and widely available across India.
'''Gaura Pant''' (17 October 1923<ref>[http://www.manushi-india.org/pdfs_issues/PDF%20Files%20147/A%20Conservative%20Rebel%202-5.pdf A Memoir, Ira Pande]</ref>– 21 March 2003), better known as '''Shivani''', is a [[Hindi]] magazine story writers of the 20th century and a pioneer in writing Indian women-based fiction. She was awarded the [[Padma Shri]] for her contribution to [[Hindi literature]] in 1982.<ref name=padma/>


She garnered a massive following in the pre-television 1960s and 1970s, as her literary works (like her most famous novel, 'Krishnakali'), were serialised in Hindi magazines like [[Dharmayug]] and Saptahik Hindustan, leading to her cult status as a Hindi magazine novelist.<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lr/2003/05/04/stories/2003050400070100.htm Shivani The Hindu, 4 May 2003]</ref> Through her writings, she also made the culture of [[Kumauni People|Kumaon]], somewhat known to Hindi-speaking Indians across the country. Her novel 'Kariye Chima' was made into a film, while her other novels including 'Surangma', 'Rativilaap', 'Mera Beta', and 'Teesra Beta' have been turned into Television serials<ref>[http://www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/lekhak/s/shivani.htm Shivani Profile] ''www.abhivyakti-hindi.org.''</ref>
She garnered a following in the pre-television 1960s and 1970s, as her literary works such as ''Krishnakali'', were serialised in Hindi magazines like ''[[Dharmayug]]'' and ''Saptahik Hindustan''.<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lr/2003/05/04/stories/2003050400070100.htm Shivani The Hindu, 4 May 2003]</ref> Through her writings, she also made the culture of [[Kumauni People|Kumaon]] known to Hindi speakers in India. Her novel ''Kariye Chima'' was made into a film, while her other novels including ''Surangma'', ''Rativilaap'', ''Mera Beta'', and ''Teesra Beta'' have been turned into television serials.<ref>[http://www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/lekhak/s/shivani.htm Shivani Profile] ''www.abhivyakti-hindi.org.''</ref>
== Early life ==
⚫
Gaura Pant 'Shivani' was born on 17 October 1924, the [[Vijaya Dasami]] day in [[Rajkot]], Gujarat, where her father, Ashwini Kumar Pande was a teacher with princely state of Rajkot. He was a [[Kumauni People|Kumaoni]] [[Brahmin]]. Her mother was a Sanskrit scholar, and the first student of Lucknow Mahila Vidyalaya. Later her father became the Diwan with the Nawab of [[Rampur, Uttar Pradesh|Rampur]] and the member of Viceroy's Bar Council,<ref>[http://www.readers-cafe.net/uttaranchal/2006/07/24/shivani-gaura-pant/ Shivani Gaura Pant – Biography] Biography at readers-café.</ref> thereafter the family moved to the princely state of [[Orchha]], where her father held an important position. Thus Shivani's childhood had influences of these varied places, and an insight into women of privilege, which reflected in much of her work. At Lucknow, she became the first student of the local Lucknow Mahila Vidyalaya.<ref name="Kumaon">[http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=47034 The stories of Kumaon..]{{dead link|date=May 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} ''[[Indian Express]]'', 22 March 2003.</ref>


⚫
In 1935, Shivani's first story was published in the Hindi Children's magazine ''Natkhat'', at age twelve.<ref>[http://www.kalpana.it/eng/writer/indian_writers/shivani.htm First story] Biography at kalpana.it.</ref>. That was also when, the three siblings were sent to the study at [[Rabindranath Tagore]]'s [[Visva-Bharati University]] at [[Shantiniketan]]. Shivani remained at Shantiniketan for another 9 years, left as a graduate in 1943. Her serious writings started during the years spent at Shantiniketan. It was this period that she took to writing whole-heartedly and had the most profound influence in her writing sensibilities,<ref>[http://www.deccanherald.com/Archives/jul232005/editpage183162005722.asp Shivani] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317054704/http://www.deccanherald.com/Archives/jul232005/editpage183162005722.asp |date=17 March 2008 }} [[Deccan Herald]], 23 July 2005.</ref> a period she recounts vividly in her book, ''Amader Shantiniketan''.<ref>[http://www.kalpana.it/eng/writer/indian_writers/shivani.htm Calcutta years, kalpana]</ref>
⚫
Upon her death in 2003, [[Government of India]] described her contributions to [[Hindi literature]] as, "...in the death of Shivani the Hindi literature world has lost a popular and eminent novelist and the void is difficult to fill".<ref>[http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2003/rmar2003/21032003/r2103200310.html Obituary, 2003] pib.nic.in.</ref>


== Biography ==
== Family ==
⚫
Shivani was married to Shuk Deo Pant, a teacher who worked in the Education Department of [[Uttar Pradesh]], which led to the family travelling to various places including [[Allahabad]] and Priory Lodge in [[Nainital]], before settling in [[Lucknow]], where she stayed till her last days.<ref name="Kumaon" /> She had four children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
⚫
Gaura Pant 'Shivani' was born on 17 October 1924, the [[Vijaya Dasami]] day in [[Rajkot]], Gujarat, where her father, Ashwini Kumar Pande was a teacher with princely state of Rajkot. He was a [[Kumauni People|Kumaoni]] [[Brahmin]]. Her mother was a Sanskrit scholar, and the first student of Lucknow Mahila Vidyalaya. Later her father became the Diwan with the Nawab of [[Rampur, Uttar Pradesh|Rampur]] and the member of Viceroy's Bar Council,<ref>[http://www.readers-cafe.net/uttaranchal/2006/07/24/shivani-gaura-pant/ Shivani Gaura Pant – Biography] Biography at readers-café.</ref> thereafter the family moved to the princely state of [[Orchha]], where her father held an important position. Thus Shivani's childhood had influences of these varied places, and an insight into women of privilege, which reflected in much of her work. At Lucknow, she became the first student of the local, 'Lucknow Mahila Vidyalaya'.<ref name=Kumaon/>


⚫
Her husband died at an early age, leaving her to take care of the four children. She had two daughters, [[Mrinal Pande]] and Ira Pande.<ref>[http://desicritics.org/2006/03/24/000633.php Shivani Gaura Pant: A Tribute] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527163104/http://desicritics.org/2006/03/24/000633.php|date=27 May 2006}}</ref>
⚫
In 1935, Shivani's first story was published in the Hindi Children's magazine 'Natkhat', at age twelve.<ref>[http://www.kalpana.it/eng/writer/indian_writers/shivani.htm First story] Biography at kalpana.it.</ref>. That was also when, the three siblings were sent to the study at [[Rabindranath Tagore]]'s [[Visva-Bharati University]] at [[Shantiniketan]]. Shivani remained at Shantiniketan for another 9 years, left as a graduate in 1943. Her serious writings started during the years spent at Shantiniketan. It was this period that she took to writing whole-heartedly and had the most profound influence in her writing sensibilities,<ref>[http://www.deccanherald.com/Archives/jul232005/editpage183162005722.asp Shivani] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317054704/http://www.deccanherald.com/Archives/jul232005/editpage183162005722.asp |date=17 March 2008 }} [[Deccan Herald]], 23 July 2005.</ref> a period she recounts vividly in her book, 'Amader Shantiniketan'.<ref>[http://www.kalpana.it/eng/writer/indian_writers/shivani.htm Calcutta years, kalpana]</ref>She herself said, "..those nine years in Shantiniketan are the best days of my life. It was also the golden period for Shantiniketan. Shivani"All those interested in reading and writing had created a Tagore Study Circle, there we all used to go..". Those days in Shantiniketan, in company of Rabindra Nath Tagore and other well known writers and intellectuals have left their mark on her work. Rabindranath Tagore even visited their ancestral home in [[Almora]] several times.


==Literary career==
As she grew older, she along with her brother and a sister, went to live with her grandfather, a Sanskrit scholar and a founding member of [[Banaras Hindu University]].
⚫
In 1951, her short story, ''Main Murga Hun'' ('I am a Chicken') was published in ''Dharmayug'' under the pen name Shivani. She published her first novel ''Lal Haveli'' in the sixties, and over the next ten years she produced several major works which were serialised in ''Dharmayug''. Shivani received the [[Padma Shri]] for her contribution to Hindi literature in 1982.<ref name="padma">[https://archive.is/20121209185644/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:cDVPXDmW4h8J:www.india.gov.in/myindia/images/ps_awards.pdf+Shivani+Gaura+Pant&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=50 Shivani Guara Pant] Official [[Padma Shri]] List.</ref>


⚫
She was a prolific writer; her bibliography consists of over 40 novels, many short stories and hundreds of articles and essays. Her most famous works include ''Chaudah Phere'', ''Krishnakali'', ''Lal Haveli'', ''Smashan Champa'', ''Bharavi'', ''Rati Vilap'', ''Vishkanya'', ''Apradhini''. She also published travelogues such as ''Yatriki'', based on her London travels, and ''Chareivati'', based on her travels to Russia.<ref>[http://www.readers-cafe.net/uttaranchal/?p=8 Gaura Pant Shivani, List of works]</ref>


⚫
Towards the end of her life, Shivani took to autobiographical writings, first sighted in her book, ''Shivani ki Sresth Kahaniyan'', followed by her two-part memoir, ''Smriti Kalash'' and ''Sone De'', whose title she borrowed from the epitaph of 18th-century Urdu poet [[Nazeer Akbarabadi]]:<ref>[http://www.lokvani.com/lokvani/article.php?article_id=615 Lokvani interviews Shivani, 2002]</ref>
===Career===
In 1951, her short story, 'Main Murga Hun' (I am a Chicken) was published in Dharmayug, and she became Shivani, from Gaura Pant.


⚫
Shivani continued to write till her last days, and died on 21 March 2003 in New Delhi.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030322/nation.htm#6 The Tribune, 22 March 2003]</ref>
⚫
Her first novel, Lal Haveli, established her reputation in the early sixties, and in the next ten years she produced several major works which were serialised in the Hindi magazine, Dharmayug. Proficient in many other languages including [[Sanskrit]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Urdu]], and [[English language|English]], Shivani received the [[Padma Shri]] for her contribution to Hindi literature in 1982.<ref name=padma>[https://archive.is/20121209185644/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:cDVPXDmW4h8J:www.india.gov.in/myindia/images/ps_awards.pdf+Shivani+Gaura+Pant&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=50 Shivani Guara Pant] Official [[Padma Shri]] List.</ref>


== Death and legacy ==
⚫
She was a prolific writer; her oeuvre consists of over 40 novels, many short stories and hundreds of articles and essays. Her most famous works include Chaudah Phere, Krishnakali, Lal Haveli, Smashan Champa, Bharavi, Rati Vilap, Vishkanya, Apradhini (a collection of interviews with women lifers); travelogues: 'Yatriki', based on her London travels and 'Chareivati', based on her travels to Russia.<ref>[http://www.readers-cafe.net/uttaranchal/?p=8 Gaura Pant Shivani, List of works]</ref>
⚫
Upon her death, the [[Press Information Bureau]] said that "the Hindi literature world has lost a popular and eminent novelist and the void is difficult to fill".<ref>[http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2003/rmar2003/21032003/r2103200310.html Obituary, 2003] pib.nic.in.</ref>

⚫
Towards the end of her life, Shivani took to autobiographical writings, first sighted in her book, ''Shivani ki Sresth Kahaniyan'', followed by her two-part memoir, ''Smriti Kalash'' and ''Sone De'', whose title she borrowed<ref>[http://www.lokvani.com/lokvani/article.php?article_id=615 Lokvani interviews Shivani, 2002]</ref> from the epitaph of an 18th-century Urdu poet - Nazeer Akbarabadi:

''Thak Gaya Hoon Neend Aa Rahi Hai Sone De''<br />
''Bahut Diya Hai Tera Saath Zindagi Maine''

(I am tired, sleep overtakes me, let me rest<br />
I have been long enough with you in the journey of life)

Her stories include
(लाल हवेली) Lal Haveli:- https://web.archive.org/web/20160709142336/http://abhivyakti-hindi.org/kahaniyan/2000/lalhaveli/lalhaveli1.htm
(पिटी हुई गोट) Piti hui got:- https://web.archive.org/web/20160804074940/http://www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/kahaniyan/2004/phg/pitihuigot1.htm

⚫
Shivani continued to write till her last days, and died on 21 March 2003 in New Delhi.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030322/nation.htm#6 The Tribune, 22 March 2003]</ref>


In 2005, her daughter, Hindi writer Ira Pande, published a memoir based on Shivani's life, titled ''Diddi'' My Mother's Voice. ''Diddi'' in Kumaoni means elder sister, and that's how her children used to address her, as she really was a friend to them.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060620235226/http://kamlabhattshow.com/content/1080/secondary.html Ira Pande remembers] kamlabhattshow.com.</ref>
In 2005, her daughter, Hindi writer Ira Pande, published a memoir based on Shivani's life, titled ''Diddi'' My Mother's Voice. ''Diddi'' in Kumaoni means elder sister, and that's how her children used to address her, as she really was a friend to them.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060620235226/http://kamlabhattshow.com/content/1080/secondary.html Ira Pande remembers] kamlabhattshow.com.</ref>

===Thematic style===
{{cleanup-tone|section|date=February 2020}}
"Shivani's fiction proclaims a quiet, warm humanism. Characters who might seem pale and uninteresting in real life – an undistinguished, very orthodox Brahmin priest in a village up in the foothills of the Himalayas, his traditional wife, the village idiot, the widowed mother – take on a human glow and their lives an unexpected resonance. It is the small events, little gestures, nondescript people, that suffuse the world of Shivani's fiction with hope, and the future is something one enters with courage. Shivani's feminism is like a gentle humanism that does not stop short when it meets the female. Within the world-view of her fiction, there are few contradictions or problems that cannot be transcended with a little sympathy and a belief in the goodness of humankind."

Her creations are literary masterpieces. The stories and novels contain usage of very good Hindi language and ''Shlokas'' in ''Sanskrit'' that can satisfy the literary urge of any book lover. <br />

The vivid imagery of the hills of Kumaon in her novels are real treat for the readers.
– 'Women Writing in India', ''Vol II, by Susie Tharu & K. Lalitha''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sawnet.org/books/authors.php?Shivani+ |title=Biography at sawnet |access-date=2 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928150336/http://www.sawnet.org/books/authors.php?Shivani+ |archive-date=28 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Many, if not most, of her stories were romances wherein the main protagonist was a beautiful and strong Kumaoni Brahmin woman who was also proficient in speaking the Bangla language, perhaps Shivani's own imaginary alter ego.

== Family ==
⚫
Shivani was married to Shuk Deo Pant (S. D. Pant), a teacher who worked in the Education Department of [[Uttar Pradesh]], which led to the family travelling to various places including [[Allahabad]], [[Nainital]] (1958–1964 and 1966–1968)<ref>[http://wikimapia.org/#lat=29.389343&lon=79.448753&z=18&l=0&m=a&v=2&show=/7028052/Priory_Lodge ''Priory Lodge'' at wiki mapia – Coordinates: 29°23'21"N 79°26'55"E]</ref>({{coord|29.23|79.26}} Priory Lodge at [[Nainital]], where Shivani stayed, 1958–1964 and 1966–1968), before settling in [[Lucknow]], where she stayed till her last days.<ref name=Kumaon>[http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=47034 The stories of Kumaon..]{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''[[Indian Express]]'', 22 March 2003.</ref> She had four children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

⚫
Her husband died at an early age, leaving her to take care of the four children, but a resilient Shivani chose to live independently at 66, Gulistan, Lucknow, for over three decades – her home became a gathering place for budding writers and literary researchers.<ref>[http://desicritics.org/2006/03/24/000633.php Shivani Gaura Pant: A Tribute] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527163104/http://desicritics.org/2006/03/24/000633.php |date=27 May 2006 }}</ref> Her two daughters, [[Mrinal Pande]] and Ira Pande, are established writers, and Mrinal is former Chairman of [[Prasar Bharati]], the apex body of Indian broadcasting. Shivani's other two children are Veena Joshi, and Muktesh (Micky) Pant, who now lives in Dallas, Texas.


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
* Chareiveti. A narrative of travel in Russia and her encounters with literary figures.
* ''Chareiveti'' — A narrative of travel in Russia and her encounters with literary figures
* Atithi. 1991. A novel whose central character, Jaya, after a failed marriage meets Shekhar who proposes to her.
* ''Atithi'' (1991) — A novel whose central character, Jaya, after a failed marriage meets Shekhar who proposes to her
* Pootonvali. 1998. A collection of two novelettes and three short stories.
* ''Pootonvali'' (1998) — A collection of two novelettes and three short stories
* Jharokha. 1991.
* ''Jharokha'' (1991)
* Chal Khusaro Ghar Aapne. 1998. A novel.
* ''Chal Khusaro Ghar Aapne'' (1998)
* Vatayan. 1999.
* ''Vatayan'' (1999)
* Ek Thi Ramrati. 1998.
* ''Ek Thi Ramrati'' (1998)
* Mera Bhai/Patheya. 1997. A novella and her recollections of events and personages.
* ''Mera Bhai''/''Patheya'' (1997) — A novella and her recollections of events and personages
* Yatrik. 1999. Her experiences in England where she travelled for the marriage of her son.
* ''Yatrik'' (1999) — Her experiences in England where she travelled for the marriage of her son
* Jaalak. 1999. 48 short memoirs.
* ''Jaalak'' (1999) — 48 short memoirs
* Amader Shantiniketan. 1999. Reminiscences of [[Shantiniketan]].
* ''Amader Shantiniketan'' (1999) — Reminiscences of [[Shantiniketan]]
* Manik– novellette and other stories (Joker and Tarpan).
* ''Manik'' — Novellette and other stories (Joker and Tarpan)
* Shmashan Champa, 1997.
* ''Shmashan Champa'' (1997)
* Surangma. A powerful novel about a political figure and his personal life shadowed by sordid relationships.
* ''Surangma'' — A novel about a political figure and his personal life shadowed by sordid relationships
* Mayapuri. A novel about relationships.
* ''Mayapuri'' — A novel about relationships
* Kainja. A novel and 7 short stories.
* ''Kainja'' — A novel and 7 short stories
* Bhairvee. A novel.
* ''Bhairvee'' — A novel
* Gainda. A novel and two long stories.
* ''Gainda'' — A novel and two long stories
* Krishnaveni. A novelette and two short stories.
* ''Krishnaveni'' — A novelette and two short stories
* Swayam Sidha. A novel and 6 short stories.
* ''Swayam Sidha'' — A novel and 6 short stories
* Kariya Cheema. 7 short stories.
* ''Kariya Cheema'' — 7 short stories
* Up Preti. 2 short novels, a story and 13 nonfictional articles.
* ''Up Preti'' — 2 short novels, a story and 13 nonfictional articles
* Chir Swayamvara. 10 short stories and 5 sketches.
* ''Chir Swayamvara'' — 10 short stories and 5 sketches
* Vishkanya. A novelette and 5 short stories.
* ''Vishkanya'' — A novelette and 5 short stories
* ''Krishnakali'' — A novel
* '''Krishnakali and other stories. Her most popular novel.'''
* Kastoori Mrig. A short novel and several articles.
* ''Kastoori Mrig'' — A short novel and several articles
* Aparadhini. A novel.
* ''Aparadhini'' — A novel
* Rathya. A novel.
* ''Rathya'' — A novel
* Chaudah Phere. A novel.
* ''Chaudah Phere'' — A novel
* Rati Vilap. 3 novelettes and 3 short stories.
* ''Rati Vilap'' — 3 novelettes and 3 short stories
* Shivani ki Sresth Kahaniyan. 13 outstanding short stories.
* ''Shivani ki Sresth Kahaniyan'' —13 short stories
* Smriti Kalash. 10 essays.
* ''Smriti Kalash'' — 10 essays
* '''Sunhu Taat Yeh Akath Kahani. Autobiographical narratives.'''
* ''Sunhu Taat Yeh Akath Kahani'' — Autobiographical narratives
* Hey Dattatreya. Folk culture and literature of [[Kumauni people|Kumaon]].
* ''Hey Dattatreya'' — Folk culture and literature of [[Kumauni people|Kumaon]]
* Manimala Ki Hansi. Short stories, essays, memoirs and sketches.
* ''Manimala Ki Hansi'' — Short stories, essays, memoirs and sketches
* Shivani ki Mashhoor Kahaniyan. 12 short stories.<ref>[http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/AuthorSelect.asp?Author=Shivani Books of Shivani] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020130205/http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/AuthorSelect.asp?Author=Shivani |date=20 October 2007 }} www.indiaclub.com.</ref>
* ''Shivani ki Mashhoor Kahaniyan'' — 12 short stories<ref>[http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/AuthorSelect.asp?Author=Shivani Books of Shivani] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020130205/http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/AuthorSelect.asp?Author=Shivani |date=20 October 2007 }} www.indiaclub.com.</ref>


===English translations===
===English translations===
* Trust and other stories. Calcutta: Writers Workshop, 1985.
* ''Trust and other stories''. Calcutta: Writers Workshop, 1985.
* Krishnakali and other stories. Trans. by Masooma Ali. Calcutta: Rupa & Co., 1995. {{ISBN|81-7167-306-6}}.
* ''Krishnakali and other stories''. Trans. by Masooma Ali. Calcutta: Rupa & Co., 1995. {{ISBN|81-7167-306-6}}.


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 04:38, 16 July 2020

For other uses, see Shivani (disambiguation).
Gaura Pant
Born(1923-10-17)17 October 1923
Rajkot, Gujarat, India
Died21 March 2003(2003-03-21) (aged 79)
New Delhi, India
Pen nameShivani
OccupationNovelist
NationalityIndian

Gaura Pant (17 October 1923[1]– 21 March 2003), better known as Shivani, is a Hindi magazine story writers of the 20th century and a pioneer in writing Indian women-based fiction. She was awarded the Padma Shri for her contribution to Hindi literature in 1982.[2]

She garnered a following in the pre-television 1960s and 1970s, as her literary works such as Krishnakali, were serialised in Hindi magazines like Dharmayug and Saptahik Hindustan.[3] Through her writings, she also made the culture of Kumaon known to Hindi speakers in India. Her novel Kariye Chima was made into a film, while her other novels including Surangma, Rativilaap, Mera Beta, and Teesra Beta have been turned into television serials.[4]

Early life

Gaura Pant 'Shivani' was born on 17 October 1924, the Vijaya Dasami day in Rajkot, Gujarat, where her father, Ashwini Kumar Pande was a teacher with princely state of Rajkot. He was a Kumaoni Brahmin. Her mother was a Sanskrit scholar, and the first student of Lucknow Mahila Vidyalaya. Later her father became the Diwan with the Nawab of Rampur and the member of Viceroy's Bar Council,[5] thereafter the family moved to the princely state of Orchha, where her father held an important position. Thus Shivani's childhood had influences of these varied places, and an insight into women of privilege, which reflected in much of her work. At Lucknow, she became the first student of the local Lucknow Mahila Vidyalaya.[6]

In 1935, Shivani's first story was published in the Hindi Children's magazine Natkhat, at age twelve.[7]. That was also when, the three siblings were sent to the study at Rabindranath Tagore's Visva-Bharati University at Shantiniketan. Shivani remained at Shantiniketan for another 9 years, left as a graduate in 1943. Her serious writings started during the years spent at Shantiniketan. It was this period that she took to writing whole-heartedly and had the most profound influence in her writing sensibilities,[8] a period she recounts vividly in her book, Amader Shantiniketan.[9]

Family

Shivani was married to Shuk Deo Pant, a teacher who worked in the Education Department of Uttar Pradesh, which led to the family travelling to various places including Allahabad and Priory Lodge in Nainital, before settling in Lucknow, where she stayed till her last days.[6] She had four children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Her husband died at an early age, leaving her to take care of the four children. She had two daughters, Mrinal Pande and Ira Pande.[10]

Literary career

In 1951, her short story, Main Murga Hun ('I am a Chicken') was published in Dharmayug under the pen name Shivani. She published her first novel Lal Haveli in the sixties, and over the next ten years she produced several major works which were serialised in Dharmayug. Shivani received the Padma Shri for her contribution to Hindi literature in 1982.[2]

She was a prolific writer; her bibliography consists of over 40 novels, many short stories and hundreds of articles and essays. Her most famous works include Chaudah Phere, Krishnakali, Lal Haveli, Smashan Champa, Bharavi, Rati Vilap, Vishkanya, Apradhini. She also published travelogues such as Yatriki, based on her London travels, and Chareivati, based on her travels to Russia.[11]

Towards the end of her life, Shivani took to autobiographical writings, first sighted in her book, Shivani ki Sresth Kahaniyan, followed by her two-part memoir, Smriti Kalash and Sone De, whose title she borrowed from the epitaph of 18th-century Urdu poet Nazeer Akbarabadi:[12]

Shivani continued to write till her last days, and died on 21 March 2003 in New Delhi.[13]

Death and legacy

Upon her death, the Press Information Bureau said that "the Hindi literature world has lost a popular and eminent novelist and the void is difficult to fill".[14]

In 2005, her daughter, Hindi writer Ira Pande, published a memoir based on Shivani's life, titled Diddi My Mother's Voice. Diddi in Kumaoni means elder sister, and that's how her children used to address her, as she really was a friend to them.[15]

Bibliography

  • Chareiveti — A narrative of travel in Russia and her encounters with literary figures
  • Atithi (1991) — A novel whose central character, Jaya, after a failed marriage meets Shekhar who proposes to her
  • Pootonvali (1998) — A collection of two novelettes and three short stories
  • Jharokha (1991)
  • Chal Khusaro Ghar Aapne (1998)
  • Vatayan (1999)
  • Ek Thi Ramrati (1998)
  • Mera Bhai/Patheya (1997) — A novella and her recollections of events and personages
  • Yatrik (1999) — Her experiences in England where she travelled for the marriage of her son
  • Jaalak (1999) — 48 short memoirs
  • Amader Shantiniketan (1999) — Reminiscences of Shantiniketan
  • Manik — Novellette and other stories (Joker and Tarpan)
  • Shmashan Champa (1997)
  • Surangma — A novel about a political figure and his personal life shadowed by sordid relationships
  • Mayapuri — A novel about relationships
  • Kainja — A novel and 7 short stories
  • Bhairvee — A novel
  • Gainda — A novel and two long stories
  • Krishnaveni — A novelette and two short stories
  • Swayam Sidha — A novel and 6 short stories
  • Kariya Cheema — 7 short stories
  • Up Preti — 2 short novels, a story and 13 nonfictional articles
  • Chir Swayamvara — 10 short stories and 5 sketches
  • Vishkanya — A novelette and 5 short stories
  • Krishnakali — A novel
  • Kastoori Mrig — A short novel and several articles
  • Aparadhini — A novel
  • Rathya — A novel
  • Chaudah Phere — A novel
  • Rati Vilap — 3 novelettes and 3 short stories
  • Shivani ki Sresth Kahaniyan —13 short stories
  • Smriti Kalash — 10 essays
  • Sunhu Taat Yeh Akath Kahani — Autobiographical narratives
  • Hey Dattatreya — Folk culture and literature of Kumaon
  • Manimala Ki Hansi — Short stories, essays, memoirs and sketches
  • Shivani ki Mashhoor Kahaniyan — 12 short stories[16]

English translations

  • Trust and other stories. Calcutta: Writers Workshop, 1985.
  • Krishnakali and other stories. Trans. by Masooma Ali. Calcutta: Rupa & Co., 1995. ISBN 81-7167-306-6.

See also

References

  1. ^ A Memoir, Ira Pande
  2. ^ a b Shivani Guara Pant Official Padma Shri List.
  3. ^ Shivani The Hindu, 4 May 2003
  4. ^ Shivani Profile www.abhivyakti-hindi.org.
  5. ^ Shivani Gaura Pant – Biography Biography at readers-café.
  6. ^ a b The stories of Kumaon..[permanent dead link‍] Indian Express, 22 March 2003.
  7. ^ First story Biography at kalpana.it.
  8. ^ Shivani Archived 17 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine Deccan Herald, 23 July 2005.
  9. ^ Calcutta years, kalpana
  10. ^ Shivani Gaura Pant: A Tribute Archived 27 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Gaura Pant Shivani, List of works
  12. ^ Lokvani interviews Shivani, 2002
  13. ^ The Tribune, 22 March 2003
  14. ^ Obituary, 2003 pib.nic.in.
  15. ^ Ira Pande remembers kamlabhattshow.com.
  16. ^ Books of Shivani Archived 20 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine www.indiaclub.com.

Further reading

Works online


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