Chandrakant Bakshi, 74, highly-acclaimed Gujarati novelist, died in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Baxi had captivated Gujarati youth like none else. He was an inspiration to three generations of Gujarati youth. He was considered “an angry young thinker” of Gujarati literature.
He wrote against hypocrites, pseudo-secularists and cowardly thinkers. It was difficult for many Gujarati writers to face Baxi’s creative outburst. They tried hard to remain off Baxi’s “radar”.
Bakshi was sharp, crisp and brutal when he criticised people he disliked or trends he hated.
His biography’s last chapter which was serialised in the Gujarati daily Samkalin could not be printed because it’s content had too much violent imagination. He imagined in the last chapter that he was urinating on the dead body of his enemy.
He gave fantastic turns and twists to current thinking and contemporary issues by giving historic facts.
His novels and other writings have created lasting impression and his books have been translated in many Indian and foreign languages.
For many years, he remained the best-seller. He hated many Gujarati traits but he highlighted strength of Gujaratis and its history. His writings provoked many young Gujaratis – and that was his biggest success.
Bakshi was brought up in Kolkata, a city that had a deep impression on him and his writings.
He ran away from home to fulfill his creative urges. Self-pride was his identity that he preserved it, at high cost, till his death. His critics said he had exaggerated ego and he heavily took the help of history books and Western writings. But Bakshi was a trendsetter who could upset his critics through words and inspire young minds.
Bakshi faced the ire of many prominent personalities when he wrote against them.
His short story Kutti was once banned by the state government and there was even an arrest warrant issued against him. Bakshi belonged to the Palanpur Jain family in Gujarat famous for its diamond merchants — who are known for their strict vegetarianism. Baxi made mockery of vegetarians till he died.
His stories had huge doses of non-vegetarianism, violence and non-conventional sexual relations. When he wrote a column criticising Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, many Shiv Sainiks reached his home in Worli, Mumbai to attack him and asked him to apologise. But Bakshi being Bakshi refused. His first short storyMakan Nu Bhut (ghost of the house) was written while sitting on the cash-counter of his own readymade garment shop at the age of 18.
He has written more than 160 books. He was a Sheriff of Mumbai and had also served for few years as principal of Mithibai college in Mumbai. It was believed that death of his wife Bakula had affected his enthusiasm and health. Bakshi is survived by Riva, his unmarried daughter.
Books
Sr No. Book Title Actual Rate
1 Stri Vishe 150
2 Gujarat Ane Gujarati 175
3 Sahitya Ane Sarjan 175
4 Meghdhanushya 150
5 Desh Pradesh 150
6 Jivan Ane Safar 175
7 Shabd Ane Sahitya 150
8 Mijaj Ane Dil Dariya 150
9 Khavu Peevu Ramvu 150
10 Baxinama 300
11 Bakshi Ek Jivani 102.5
12 Smile Please 110
13 Telescope 210
14 Microscope 225
15 Nepthya 100
16 Vividh Gujarat 100
17 Godhrakand 65
18 Love Ane Mrutyu 100
19 Shabd Parva 100
20 Dudhma Lohi Na Tipa 175
21 Mauj Ane Sokh 175
22 Midiya Kavya Sahitya 175
23 64 Lekho 175
24 Sanskar Ane Sahitya 80
25 Spark Pluge 100
26 England & America 100
27 Stoper 100
28 Underline 82
29 Aadan 70
30 Rajkaran Gujarat(1989-1995) 150
31 Pradan 60
32 Rajkaran Bharat(1989-1995) 130
33 Darshan Vishva 150
34 Desh Gujarat 150
35 Yaad Itihas 150
36 Kkal Ane Aaj 80
37 Bharat Mahan 150
38 T.V Pehla Ane T.V Pachi 150
39 Abhang 66
40 Chanrakant Bakhi Na Utkurst Nibandho 120
41 Lili Nasoma Pankhar 90
42 Ek Ane Ek 95
43 Coras 56
44 Hun Konark Shah(Bakshi) 95
45 Lagnani Aagli Rate 75
46 Surkhab 39
47 Disha Tarang 75
48 Honeymoon 11
49 Chanrakant Bakshi ni Shreshtha Vartao 95
50 Zindani 80
51 Pachim 125
52 Pyar 75
53 Ek Sahnjani Mulakat 90
54 Kramashah: 100
55 Meera 100
56 Mashal 110
57 Dakshin Africa 100
58 America America 60
59 Tavarikh 36
60 Roma 85
61 Samakal (Chandrakant Bakshi) 120
62 JIVANNU Sset Of 7 books 195
63 Hatheli Par Badbaki 51
64 Priya Niki(T) 85
65 Mahajati Gujarati(New) 100
66 Vishvani Prachin Sanskrutio 35
67 Kehvat Vishwa 130
68 Paralysis 75
69 Rajniti Ane Anitikaran 175
70 Stri Ane Kavita 175
71 Swas Ni Ekalta 75
72 Aazadi Pehla 110
73 Sadabahar Vartao 25
74 Aakar 115
ChandrakantBakshi Website
Books Available Here
Gujarati Author
