Ratilal Borisagar — A Luminary of Gujarati Humour and Essays
Ratilal Mohanlal Borisagar (born 31 August 1938) is one of the most respected and influential writers in modern Gujarati literature. Known especially for his humour, satire, and insightful essays, Borisagar’s work has entertained and enlightened generations of readers. His literary journey — spanning decades — reflects a rare blend of wit, critique, cultural insight, and affection for everyday life.
Early Life and Education
Born in the small town of Savarkundla in present-day Amreli district of Gujarat, India, Borisagar grew up immersed in the cultural currents of Saurashtra. He completed his primary and secondary education locally and pursued higher studies with a keen interest in language and literature. He passed his BA in 1963 and MA in 1967, later earning a BEd to qualify as a teacher. In 1989, he was awarded a PhD for his research thesis titled Gujaratima Sahityik Sampadan: Vivechanatmak Adhyayan (Critical Study on Literary Editing in Gujarati).
This rich academic foundation shaped his literary voice, combining rigorous study with a natural affinity for storytelling and satire.
Career: From Classrooms to Literary Influence
Before becoming a full-time literary figure, Borisagar began his professional life as an educator. He taught at primary and secondary levels and briefly served as a clerk in a post office. In 1971, he joined the Savarkundla College as a professor of Gujarati literature, a position he held until 1974. Thereafter, he joined the Gujarat State School Textbook Board as Academic Secretary, where he worked for 21 years and retired as Deputy Director (Academic) in 1998.
His long tenure in education, combined with his editorial experience and involvement with literary organisations, gave him deep insight into the evolving literary tastes and cultural contours of Gujarati readership.
Writing Style and Themes
Borisagar’s writing is best known for its humorous and self-deprecating tone, with incisive observations about society, human behaviour, and cultural norms. While he started as a short-story writer, his natural inclination toward humour drew him toward satirical essays and humorous novels, where he found his lasting niche.
Unlike humour that merely entertains, his style often holds up a mirror to societal quirks, prompting laughter that is both delightful and reflective. Many of his readers say the joy of his work lies in this rare combination of lightness and insight.
Major Works and Literary Contributions
Over the years, Ratilal Borisagar published numerous collections of humour essays, novels, and edited literary compilations. His early success came with Marak Marak (1977), a collection that established him firmly in the Gujarati humour genre. Subsequent collections like Anandlok (1983), Tilak Karta Tresath Thaya (2002), and Amathu Amathu Kem Na Hasiye! (2008) built on this foundation.
One of Borisagar’s most acclaimed novels is Enjoygraphy (1997), an autobiographical satire that blends personal experience — including a brush with heart disease and hospital bureaucracy — with broader cultural commentary. The novel remains a standout work for its candid humour and emotional resonance, and it contributed significantly to his reputation beyond Gujarat.
His works also include Mojma Revu Re, a collection of essays that won him the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 2019. This recognition reflects the depth and enduring quality of Borisagar’s contribution to Indian literature.
Beyond humour, Borisagar edited several important works of children’s literature and compilations of Gujarati humour. His editorial stewardship helped promote other writers and preserved many valuable pieces within the broader literary landscape.
Roles in Literary Organisations
Borisagar’s contribution extended beyond writing. He served in leadership roles within key Gujarati literary institutions. For years, he contributed editorial guidance to Akhand Anand magazine, was a committee member of the Gujarat Sahitya Sabha, and later became Managing Secretary of the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad — one of the most influential literary organisations in the state.
His involvement in these organisations helped nurture literary talent and promote Gujarati literature across generations.
Recognition and Awards
Ratilal Borisagar’s work has received wide critical acclaim both within Gujarat and nationally. His humour essay collections and novels have won multiple awards, including the Jyotindra Dave Humour Prize and accolades from the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi. Enjoygraphy itself received a major literary award in 1997, cementing Borisagar’s place among celebrated humour writers.
The pinnacle of his recognition came in 2019 with the Sahitya Akademi Award — one of India’s highest literary honours — for Mojma Revu Re. This award not only acknowledged his individual brilliance but also reaffirmed the significance of humour writing within Indian literature.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Borisagar’s influence on Gujarati literature is profound. He not only entertained readers with laughter but also broadened the scope of humour as a serious and respected literary form. His essays remain relevant for their timeless insight into the human condition, cultural identity, and the everyday absurdities that define life.
Many aspiring humourists and essayists in Gujarat cite Borisagar as a key inspiration, pointing to his ability to blend playful narrative with intellectual depth. His work continues to be studied, celebrated, and enjoyed by readers young and old.
Conclusion
Ratilal Borisagar stands as a towering figure in Gujarati literature — a writer who transformed humour into a vehicle for cultural commentary, empathy, and personal reflection. From modest beginnings in Savarkundla to national recognition with the Sahitya Akademi Award, his journey underscores the power of laughter harmonised with intellect. For students of literature, fans of humour, and lovers of rich linguistic tradition, Borisagar’s contributions remain indispensable chapters in Indian literary history.
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