Pannalal Nanalal Patel (7 May 1912 – 6 April 1989) was an Indian author known for his contributions in Gujarati literature.
He could study up to only the fourth standard at Sir Pratap High School, Idar.
[2] His novels are centered around the village, its people, their lives, hopes and aspirations, their problems and predicaments.
Malela Jeev (1941), a story of unfulfilled love between Kanji and Jivi having been born in different castes, is considered as one of his best novels.
[12] His other novels depicting rural life are Bhangyana Bheru (1957), Ghammar Valonu Vol.
1-2 (1968), Fakiro (1955), Manakhavatar (1961), Karoliyanu Jalu (1963), Meen Matina Manvi (1966), Kanku (1970), Ajavali Rat Amasni (1971).
[5] His novels other than theme of love are Pachhale Barane (1947), Vali Vatanma (1966), Eklo (1973), Taag (1979), Pageru (1981).
His such works include Parth ne Kaho Chadave Ban Vol.
1-2 (1982), Satyabhamano Manushi-Pranaya (1984), (Manavdehe) Kamdev Rati (1984), (Mahabharatano Pratham Pranay) Bheem-Hidimba (1984), Arjunno Vanvas Ke Pranaypravas (1984), Pradyamna-Prabhavati (1984), Shri Krishnani Aath Pataranio (1984), Shikhandi Stree Ke Puraush?
(1984), Revatighela Baldevji (1984), Sahdev-Bhanumatino Pranay (1984), Kubja Ane Shri Krishna (1984), (Narma Nari) Il-Ila (1986), (Amarlok-Mrityuloknu Sahjeevan) Urvashi-Pururava (1986).
His short story collections are Sukh Dukhna Sathi (1940), Jindagina Khel (1941), Jivo Dand (1941), Lakhcorasi (1944), Panetarna Rang (1946), Ajab Manavi (1947), Sacha Shamana (1949), Vatrakne Kanthe (1952), Orata (1954), Parevada (1956), Manna Morla (1958), Kadavo Ghuntado (1958), Tilottama (1960), Dilni Vaat (1962), Dharati Abhna Chheta (1962), Tyagi-Anuragi (1963), Dilaso (1964), Chitareli Diwalo (1965), Morlina Munga Sur (1966), Malo (1967), Vatno Katko (1969), Anwar (1970), Koi Deshi Koi Pardeshi (1971), Asmani Najar (1972), Binni (1973), Chhanako (1975), Gharnu Ghar (1979) and Narato (1981).
Dholia Sag Seesamna (1963) and Bhane Narsaiyo (1977) are his original three-act plays.
Pannalalni Shreshth Vartao (1958), Pannalalno Vartavaibhav (1963), Vineli Navalikao (1973), Purnayognu Achaman (1978), Lokgunjan (1984) are his edited and selected works collections.
[citation needed] Malela Jeev has been translated in several Indian languages[13] such as Punjabi, Kannada and as Kalasina Jeevithalu in Telugu by Vemuri Anjaneya Sarma.
[3][9] Manvini Bhavai is translated in English by V. Y. Kantak as Endurance: A Droll Saga (1995), published by Sahitya Akademi.
[10][11] His novels Malela Jeev, Manvini Bhavai and the short story Kanku were adapted into films.
[14] Janumada Jodi, 1996 Indian Kannada film, is based on Malela Jeev.
He was the second writer from Gujarati language after Umashankar Joshi in 1967, to receive the Jnanpith Award.