Bholanath Divetia

Bholanath Sarabhai Divetia (1822 - 1886) was Gujarati poet and religious reformer from India.

Life

He was born in Nagar Brahmin family from Ahmedabad[1] He studied law and served as government servant during British rule in India. He was elevated to post of first class sub-judge. He retired in 1874 and was awarded Rai Bahadur title by British. He was born in orthodox religious family and believed in idol worship but adopted belief in formless god. He founded Prarthnasamaj and Dharmasabha for religious reform. He was a father of Gujarati author Narsinhrao Divetia.[2]

Works

He knew Gujarati, English, Marathi, Persian and Sanskrit languages. His two volumes of Ishwar Prarthanamala are the collection of prayers in thirty sections designed as prayers for thirty days of the month. Last two sections are completed by his son, Narsinhrao Divetia, as he died before completion. His Abhangamala is a poetry in abhanga and dindi forms of poetry from South India.[2]

Memorials

The 200 years old Haveli belonging the Bholenath has been declared heritage property by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.[1] and the Haveli is a part of places covered in the Heritage walk of Ahmedabad.[3] It is with carved wooden work and floral motifs painted in green and gold colours.[1] Famous poets like Akho Bhagat use to frequent this Haveli before the lifetime of Bholanath.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "200 yrs old haveli converted to hotel, served notice". Times of India. Times of India. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Amaresh Datta (1988). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature. Sahitya Akademi. p. 1052. ISBN 978-81-260-1194-0.
  3. ↑ "Guided Heritage Walk". Retrieved 4 September 2014.