Ratilal 'Anil'
Ratilal 'Anil' was a Gujarati ghazal writer and journalist from Gujarat, India. His other pen names were 'Sandipani', 'Tachak' and 'Kalki'. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2006 for his collection of essays 'Atano Suraj' as well as the Vali Gujarati Gazal Award for his contribution to the field of Ghazals.
Life
Ratilal 'Anil' originally Ratilal Moolchanddas Rupawala was born on 22 February or 19 February in Surat. Embroidery was his family business. His father died when he was two years old. His mother, in charge of the family got them involved in the household business after primary education up to Class 2. He studied literature by reading the novels of the Gujarati press found in the house.In 1942, he joined the freedom movement and served a six-month jail term in Sabarmati Jail. In jail, he was introduced to like-minded freedom activist colleagues, thus advancing his literary career. During this time, he started writing ghazals and participating in mushairas. He became minister and later president of the 'Mahagujarat Ghazal Mandal'.
Gandhi's nephew Narandas Gandhi associated Ratilal with the 'Rupayatan' organization located in Girnar, Junagadh, Gujarat. While staying there, he edited 'Pyara Bapu', a monthly magazine of Gandhian thought, and studied Tagore's literature along with Gandhian literature. After coming to Surat, he edited a monthly called 'Pragya'. At the same time became an assistant in the publishing activity of the Harihar library, and in the meantime also started writing column in 'Gujarat Mitra'. He became an associate of Neeru Desai in 'Shrirang', the magazine of 'Gujarat Samachar'. He then joined 'Lokvani' and then in the editorial board of 'Gujarat Mitra'. After retirement, Ratilal started a literary magazine called 'Kankavati' and remained its editor.
He died in Surat on August 29, 2013.