Obituary – Professor (Dr.) Harivallabh Chunilal Bhayani
By Harivallabh Chunilal Bhayani
Summary
Professor H. C. Bhayani (1928–2000) was a towering figure in Indian philology whose scholarship spanned Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhraṁśa, Old Gujarati and modern Indo‑Aryan languages. Born in Bhavnagar, he trained at Ahmedabad and later taught at the L. D. Institute of Indology. Throughout his career he was known for encyclopedic command of grammar and etymology, impeccable textual criticism and a deep appreciation for literature. Bhayani produced and edited a wealth of texts including the Sanskrit works “Lilavati‑sāra” and “Puṣpudūṣitaka,” the Prakrit volumes “Saṁkṣitta Taraṅgaṇa” and “Vasudeva‑hiṁḍi,” thirteen Apabhraṁśa poems, twelve Old Gujarati texts and a number of medieval Hindi compositions. He also prepared critical editions of poems by poets such as Raula Vela and Cāryāgīti, assembled collections of folk songs, and edited five extensive volumes of literary criticism. In addition to these monumental philological labours he wrote hundreds of research papers covering historical linguistics, poetics, Jain studies, folklore and cultural history. Bhayani received many honours for his contributions, including the Ranjitram Prize for Gujarati literature, India’s Sahitya Akademi award for his 1980‑81 volume “Lilavati‑sāra,” the Presidential Certificate of Honour for Sanskrit scholarship and several awards from the Gujarat Sahitya Academy. He was also recognised by institutions abroad; the School of Oriental and African Studies (London) elected him Honorary Fellow and he was invited to lecture at universities worldwide. Despite such acclaim he remained modest, often attributing his successes to mentors like Muni Jambuvijaya. This obituary recounts his tireless dedication to preserving and interpreting India’s linguistic heritage and his generous mentorship of younger researchers. The editors of “Sambodhi” portray Bhayani not only as an erudite scholar but also as a friend and guide to the L. D. Institute of Indology, where he served as honorary visiting professor until his death. His passing marks the end of an era for the institute and leaves a void in the world of Sanskrit and Prakrit studies.
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Conclusion
Professor H. C. Bhayani’s career demonstrates how rigorous philology can illuminate the intellectual riches of India’s classical languages. By editing dozens of rare texts, documenting dialects and writing hundreds of articles he ensured that future generations have reliable sources and analyses. His generous spirit enriched institutions like the L. D. Institute of Indology, where he mentored younger scholars until his final days. The obituary underscores that his influence extends well beyond his lifetime; his students and publications continue to shape studies of Sanskrit, Prakrit and Gujarati literary traditions.