Narmadashankar Lalshankar Dave (pronounced [nər.mə.d̪aː ʃəŋ.kər labh.ʃəŋ.kər d̪ə.ʋe]) (24 August 1833 – 26 February 1886), popularly known as Narmad, was an Indian Gujarati-language poet, playwright, essayist, orator, lexicographer and reformer under the British Raj.

He faced economic struggles but proved himself as a dedicated reformer, speaking loudly against religious and social orthodoxy.

[4][5] Narmad was born in Surat, Gujarat on 24 August 1833 to Lalshankar and Navdurga in a Nagar Brahmin family.

He started studying at the English School, Elphinstone Institute, Bombay on 6 January 1845, beginning college in June 1850.

He delivered his first public speech Mandali Malvathi Thata Labh (The Advantages of Forming An Association) that same year.

He again recited his early essay in Swadesh Hitechchhu Mandali and started Gyansagar magazine in July 1851.

He returned to college on the suggestion of his friend Jhaverilal Umiyashankar and joined Buddhi Vardhak Sabha, a literary group in June 1854.

[9] After his second marriage, he left college in August 1856, writing Pingal Pravesh in February 1857 and dedicating it to his father.

He joined Gokuldas Tejpal Vidyalaya as a teacher and began studying Sanskrit literary works such as Laghu kaumudi, Chandralok, Nrisimhachampu, Kavyachampu, Prataprudra, Adhyatma Ramayana.

He started at Central School as a teacher in February 1858, then resigned in November 1858 after deciding to pursue a literary career.

Deciding to study independently he returned to Bombay in March, where he met Dalpatram, a reformist Gujarati poet, in June 1859, and became involved in reform activities.

[10][11] The case was filed by Jadunathji against writer Karsandas Mulji after the journalist published an article alleging sexual exploitation of women in his religious sect.

[9] He moved back again to Bombay in March 1875, where he met Dayanand Saraswati, a reformist and founder of Arya Samaj, and started to become deeply religious.

Although unhappy about breaking a resolve not to work for other people, he was forced due to financial difficulties into taking a position as a secretary to Gokuldas Tejpal Dharmakhata.

His health failing due to the stress of work starting a hostel, he left his job on 19 July 1885.

He introduced many creative forms of writing to the Gujarati language, including pioneering works in autobiography, poetry, lexicography, historical plays and folk literature research.

These symbols included things non-Hindu, implying that Gujarat belongs to all the castes, communities, races, religions and sects that live together there.

[1] He introduced new subjects in modern Gujarati poetry such as social reform, freedom, patriotism, nature and love, etc.

[21] His Rasapravesh (1858), Pingalpravesh (1857), Alankarpravesh (1858), Narmavyakaran Part I and II (1865), Varnavichar (1865), Nayika Vishaypravesh (1866) are his collections of essays on poetics with historical importance.

Narmakathakosh (1870), Dayaramkrut Kavyasangrah (1865), Stree Geet Sangrah (1870) of songs popular in Nagar Brahmin ladies, Premanand's Dashamskandh (1872) and the complete issue of Narmakosh (1873) are his edited and researched works.

[9] Just at the time when Narmad was emerging into celebrity (1859), Dalpatram who had already won his laurels, happened to visit Bombay for treatment of his eyes.

Lovers of Gujarati poetry, they met together, and in the poetical contest that took place, naturally they warmed up and their audience took sides as to who was the better poet.

The Parsi Punch, a weekly, published a cartoon, in which they were represented as fighting each other with the top-knot of the hair of their heads in their hands.