Gauri Deshpande (11 February 1942 – 1 March 2003) was a novelist, short story writer, and poet from Maharashtra, India. She wrote in Marathi and English.

Biography

Deshpande was born in Pune to Irawati and Dinkar Dhondo Karve, youngest of three children. She is also the granddaughter of the social reformer Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve. Her daughter Urmila Deshpande is also an author and published the novels Kashmir Blues, A Pack of Lies, and Equal to Angels; the short story collection, Slither: Carnal Prose, and edited Madhouse: True stories of the Inmates of Hostel 4.

Education

Deshpande finished her high school education at Ahilyadevi School in Pune. She then attended Fergusson College to receive an M.A in English Literature. She eventually received her PhD in English from Pune University.

Professional life

Deshpande taught at the Department of English at Fergusson College and later as a professor at the department of English at the then University of Pune.

Death

Deshpande died in Pune on 1 March 2003 due to complications arising as a result of alcohol abuse. She is survived by two daughters from her first husband, one daughter from her second husband, three grandsons and a granddaughter.

Works

Deshpande wrote in Marathi and English. Her works include fiction, non-fiction, short stories, articles and translations.

Marathi works

English works

Influence