Sharad Joshi was an Indian poet, writer, satirist and a dialogue and scriptwriter in Hindi films and television. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1990.

Biography

Early life and education

Sharad Joshi was born on 21 May 1931 in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh to Shriniwas and Santi Joshi, a second child in the family of two sons, and 4 daughters.

Family

In the late 1950s, when Sharad Joshi was writing for newspapers and radio in Indore, he met and married Irfana Siddiqi (later Irfana Sharad). She was a writer, radio artiste and a theater actress from Bhopal. The couple had three daughters: Bani, Richa and Neha Sharad. Neha Sharad is an actress and poet.

Career

Essays and plays

Sharad Joshi has written many satirical essays on political, social, cultural and economical topics, such as Atha Shri Ganeshaya Namah, Billiyon ka Artha Shastra, Buddhijivi, Sahitya ka Mahabali, Adhyaksha Mahodaya . Sharad Joshi also wrote satirical plays. His plays Ek Tha Gadha Urf Aladad Khan and Andhon Ka Haathi are popular for satire and timeless humour His books and essay collections include Parikrama, Kisi Bahane, Tilasm, Jeep par The Sawar Illian, Raha Kinare Baith, Meri Shreshth Rachnaye, Dusri Satah, Yatha Sambhav, Yatra Tatra Sarvatra, Yatha Samay, Ham Bhrashtan ke Bhrasht Hamare, and Pratidin

Filmography as dialogue writer

TV serials

Legacy

Madhya Pradesh government has instituted an award in his memory titled, "Sharad Joshi Samman", given each year to individuals for outstanding achievement in the field of writing. It includes a cash award of Rs. 51,000 and citation. His daughter Neha Sharad also organized Shradotsav in 2016, a literary and theatre festival (which has plays as well as a book fair), to commemorate her father's work.