Chunilal Madia

Chunilal was born on 12 August 1922 in Dhoraji (now in Rajkot district, Gujarat) to Kalidas and Kasumbabahen.

After completing matriculation at Dhoraji, Madia at the age of 19 years shifted to Ahmedabad for higher studies in Commerce faculty. He enrolled as a student at the H. L. College of Commerce. While pursuing his college studies at Ahmedabad, Chunilal Madia joined a daily Prabhat as a journalist and sub-editor. Here his mentor was the veteran journalist Kakalbhai Kothari.

He died on 29 December 1968 in Ahmedabad following heart attack.

Although he primarily contributed fiction, his plays both one-act and full-length are a landmark in Gujarati writing. They have a high literary quality and stage ability. He portrayed rural life and urban life (of Mumbai) with rustic wisdom and piercing satire. He had published Ruchi, a literary magazine.

Novels

• Pawak Jwala (1945)
• Vyajno Varas (1946)
• Eendhan Ochhan Padyan (1951)
• Vela Velani Chhanyadi (1956)
• Leeludi Dharati (1957)
• Preetvachhoyan (1960)
• Kumkum Ane Ashka (1962)
• Sadhara Jesangno Salo (1962)
• Grahashtak Vatta Ek (1965)
• Indradhanuno Athmo Rang (1967)
• Sadharana Salano Salo (1968)
• Ala Dhadhalnun Jhinjhavadar (1968)

Compilation of Poems

• Sonnet (1959)

Long Plays

• Hun Ne Mari Vahu (1949)
• Shoonyashesh (1957)
• Ramlo Robinhood (1962)

Compilation of One Act Plays

• Rangada (1951)
• Vishvimochan (1955)
• Raktatilak (1956)
• Madiana Pratinidhi Nibandh (1999) (Compiled by Balvant Jani)

Compilation of Essays

• Chopatine Bankadethi (1959)

Compilation of Short Stories

• Ghooghavatan Poor (1945)
• Gamdun Bole Chhe (1945)
• Padmaja (1947)
• Champo Ane Kel (1950)
• Roop-Aroop (1953)
• Antahsrota (1956)
• Jacob Circle Sat Rasta (1959)
• Kshanardh (1962)
• Kshat-Vikshat (1968)
• Khaknun Poyanun (1985) (posthumas)
• Madiani Shreshthha Vartao (1958)
• Madiani Pratinidhi Vartao (1999)- Compiled by Balvant Jani
• Chunilal Madiani Chunteli Vartao (2001) Compiled by Amitabh Madia
• Goraj
• Madiani Gramkathao
• Madiani Hasyakathao
• Madiani Samagra Navalikao (The Collected Short Stories of Madia) part- 1,2,3 & 4

Travelogue

• Jay Girnar (1948)

Biographical writings

• Gandhijina Guruo (1956)
• Vidyapremi Forbes (1966)

Compilations of Essays in Criticism

• Vartavimarsh (1961)
• Granthgarima (1961)
• Gujarati Sahityaman Dokiyun (1963)
• Shahmrug-Suvarnamrug (1966)
• Kathalok (1968)
• Madiana Pratinidhi Nibandh (1999)(Compiled by Balvant Jani)
• Chhindun Kholtan (2001)(Compiled by Amitabh Madia)
• Chand Alfaz (2001)(Compiled by Amitabh Madia)
• Press Cottings (2003) (Compiled by Amitabh Madia)
• Madiana Mulakman (2004) (Compiled by Amitabh Madia)
• Madiana Ruchilokmam (2006) (Compiled by Amitabh Madia)
• Madiana Shabdalokmam (2007) (Compiled by Amitabh Madia)

Miscellaneous

Chunilal Madia Vishesh: Liludi Dharatithi (2000) (Compiled by Amitabh Madia) Amitabh Madia has written a book "Chunilal Madia: Ek Abhyas" (2010). It contains a short biography and documentary fact about Madia's work.

Adaptations

Feature films based on Chunilal Madia's novels and short stories:

• Samay Bada Balvan (1958): A Hindi Bollywood film directed by Sohrab Mody based on Madia's Gujarati Novel "Vela Vela Ni Chhhanyadi"
• Liludi Dharati (The Green Earth; 1968): A Gujarati film directed by Vallabh Choksi is based on Madia's Novel by the same name.
• Mari Hel Utaro Raj (1977): a Gujarati film directed by Manhar Raskapoor, based on Madia's short story "Antahasrota"
• Mirch Masala (1985): A Hindi film directed by Ketan Mehta, based on Madia's short story "Abhu Makarani". The cast includes Smita Patil, Deepti Naval, Suresh Obeoi, Om Puri, Deena Pathak, Paresh Raval and Naseeruddin Shah. Produced by The National Film Development Corporation of India.
• Pawak Jwala (1998): A Gujarati tele-film in two episodes directed by Prjapati. Deepti Joshi Brahmabhatt is in the lead role.

He was awarded Narmad Suvarna Chandrak for his play Rangada in 1947 and Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak in 1957.