Literature

Gujarati literature's history may be traced to 1000 CE. Well-known laureates of Gujarati literature
are Hemchandracharya, Narsinh Mehta, Mirabai, Akho, Premanand Bhatt, Shamal
Bhatt, Dayaram, Dalpatram, Narmad, Govardhanram Tripathi, Mahatma Gandhi, K. M.
Munshi, Umashankar Joshi, Suresh Joshi, Swaminarayan, Pannalal Patel and Rajendra Shah.[177]
Kavi Kant, Zaverchand Meghani and Kalapi are famous Gujarati poets.
Gujarat Vidhya Sabha, Gujarat Sahitya Sabha, and Gujarati Sahitya Parishad are Ahmedabad
based literary institutions promoting the spread of Gujarati literature. Saraswatichandra is a
landmark novel by Govardhanram Tripathi. Writers like Aanand Shankar Dhruv, Ashvini
Bhatt, Balwantray Thakore, Bhaven Kachhi, Bhagwatikumar Sharma, Chandrakant
Bakshi, Gunvant Shah, Harindra Dave, Harkisan Mehta, Jay Vasavada, Jyotindra Dave, Kanti
Bhatt, Kavi Nanalal, Khabardar, Sundaram, Makarand Dave, Ramesh Parekh, Suresh Dalal,
Tarak Mehta, Vinod Bhatt, Dhruv Bhatt and Varsha Adalja have influenced Gujarati thinkers.
A notable contribution to Gujarati literature came from the Swaminarayan paramhanso,
like Brahmanand Swami, Premanand, with prose like Vachanamrut and poetry in the form
of bhajans.[178]
Shrimad Rajchandra Vachnamrut and Shri Atma Siddhi Shastra, written in 19th century by Jain
philosopher and poet Shrimad Rajchandra (Mahatma Gandhi's guru) are very well known.[179][180]
Gujarati theatre owes a lot to Bhavai. Bhavai is a folk musical performance of stage plays. Ketan
Mehta and Sanjay Leela Bhansali explored artistic use of bhavai in films such as Bhavni
Bhavai, Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Dayro (gathering) involves
singing and conversation reflecting on human nature.
Food
Gujarati food is primarily vegetarian. The typical Gujarati thali consists of rotli or bhakhari or
thepala or rotlo, dal or kadhi, khichdi, Bhat and shak. Athanu (Indian pickle) and chhundo are
used as condiments. The four major regions of Gujarat all bring their own styles to Gujarati food.
Many Gujarati dishes are distinctively sweet, salty, and spicy at the same time. In the Saurashtra
region, chhash (buttermilk) is believed to be a must-have in their daily food.
Art
List of Arts and Crafts Culture of Gujarat - Music and Dance (gujaratexpert.com)