Sursinhji Takhtasinhji Gohil, rather well known by his pen name, Kalapi, was a Gujarati poet born on the 26th of January, 1874. What’s more, he was the Prince of the Lathi state in Gujarat as well. Born into the royal family ruling over Lathi, at the corner of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, he lost his parents in his childhood - which would have a profound impact later on in his life.

From 1885 onwards, as reflected in the larger Gujarati Pandit era of literature, Kalapi (meaning Peacock) and others were influenced by foreign works and experimented with new themes. Taking inspiration from the English Romanticists, as well as Gujarati giants like Dalpatram and Dave, Kalapi would go on to write numerous lyrical poems.

His themes were autobiographical in nature - himself, his life, his subjects and people of the royal court were his muses. Nature too featured to a large extent. But a falling out with his wife Ramaba would make him turn to themes of selfishness and detachment in the world.

Ramaba sent the maid away, and his poetry turned to themes that revolved around heartbreak. Grief and sorrow marked his poems in the late 1890s. Throughout his works, an unabashed emotional display was clearly at work. But Shobhana returned, and Kalapi once again began writing happily, but this time bhajans to the Gods. He died in 1900, barely 26 years of age. Conspiracy surrounds his death, with some accusations of poisoning. But his 250-odd poems stand as a testament to his wide-ranging, emotion-filled poetry.