Chunilal Madia (12 August 1922 – 29 December 1968) was a Gujarati author from Gujarat, India, primarily known for his novels and short stories set in rural Saurashtra. Recipients of several awards, he is considered one of the leading writers of Gujarati literature. Biography Chunilal Madia's ancestors had immigrated to Dhoraji (now in Rajkot district, Gujarat) from Nikava village in Halar region. He was born in middle class Jain Baniya family on 12 August 1922 in Dhoraji to a grocery shop owner Kalidas Jadavji and his wife Prankunwar aka Kasumbabahen. Chunilal was youngest among ten siblings, of whom only five survived till adulthood. After completing matriculation at Dhoraji, Madia at the age of 19 years shifted to Ahmedabad for higher studies in Commerce faculty. He enrolled as a student at the H. L. College of Commerce. While pursuing his college studies at Ahmedabad, Chunilal Madia joined a daily Prabhat as a journalist and sub-editor. Here his mentor was the veteran journalist Kakalbhai Kothari. He worked in the editing department of Janmabhumi, a Gujarati daily, and Gujarati department of the United States Information Service (USIS) from 1950 to 1962. He died on 29 December 1968 in Ahmedabad following heart attack. Works Madia is considered one of the leading writers in Gujarati literature. Although he primarily contributed fiction, his plays both one-act and full-length are a landmark in Gujarati theatre. They have a high literary quality and stage ability. He portrayed rural life and urban life (of Mumbai) with rustic wisdom and piercing satire. He was founder-editor of Ruchi, a literary monthly. Novels Pawak Jwala (1945), Vyajno Varas (1946), Eendhan Ochhan Padyan (1951), Vela Velani Chhanyadi (1956), Liludi Dharti (1957), Sheval na Shatdal (1960), Sadhara Jesang No Salo (1962), Grahashtak Vatta Ek (1965), Sadharana Salano Salo (1968) and Ala Dhadhalnun Jhinjhavadar (1968) are his novels set in rural setting. His novel Kumkum Ane Ashka (1962) depicts Mahmud Ghazni's invasion on Somnath temple. Preetvachhoyan (1960) snf Indradhanuno Athmo Rang (1967) are his novels which depict the theme of psychological conflicts of city life. Short Stories He invented realistic approach in his short stories, depicting the rural life of Saurashtra region. His short stories are characterized by an attractive language of the rural people, insight into the inner world of characters and a dramatic turn of events. His short stories are published in several volumes: Ghooghavatan Poor (1945), Gamdun Bole Chhe (1945), Padmaja (1947),