was a children's literature author of Gujarati language who created several popular fiction characters. Joshi was an editor of Zagmag, a children's weekly in Gujarati published by Gujarat Samachar. In 1945, he started publishing the stories of Miya Fuski in it which continued for two generations. He wrote more than thirty stories on Miya Fuski. Jivram Joshi has described the origin of the characters, Later he created the Hindu character Tabha Bhatt for the purpose of Hindu-Muslim unity. He created Tabha Bhatt based on the Brahminpriests of Kashi.
Characters and story
Miya Fuski and his friend Tabha Bhatt are the central characters in the story. Miya Fuski is tall and thin while Tabha Bhatt is short and pot-bellied. Miya Fuski is Muslim and wears lehenga, waistcoat and cap. He is bald and long beard with large round eyes. Tabha Bhatt is Hindu Brahmin character who wears typical paghadi on his head, loose cloth on his shoulder and dhoti. Other recurring characters are Bibi, wife of Miya; Dala Sheth, a merchant. The real name of Miya Fuski is Fattu Miya. He became a guard. Once he assumed a group of donkeys as a group of thieves and boasted about himself. Later he hides and becomes from Fattu Miya to Miya Fuski. Fuski literally means timid in Gujarati. He is a novice and vulnerable person. He is involved in situations where he behaves in stupid and hilarious manner but the result is always in his favour in the end. Tabha Bhatt accompanies him in his misadventures. Miya is timid inwardly and often boasts of his bravery but he finds his way with his wit in difficult situations.
Reception
The stories were popular among children as well as admired by adults. They are still popular across Gujarat and the characters are considered as the icons of children's literature in Gujarati language. The catchphraseAme Kon? Sipai Bachha from the stories became popular with children. Gujarati author Chandrakant Bakshi had written, ''Miya Fuski and Jivram Joshi will live on in children's literature until the ABC of Gujarati language lives on".
Adaptations
The stories of Miya Fuski are adapted into plays, TV series and a film. Bhargav Joshi, son of Jivram Joshi, adapted the stories in a play, Miya Fuski Ane Tabha Bhatt. Asit Kumarr Modi produced and Sandeep Patel directed a TV series, Miya Fuski, for DD Gujarati. The characters were also adapted in a children's Gujarati filmMiya Fuski 007 in 1987 starring Johny Walker and Kishor Bhatt in the lead roles. The film was directed by Manhar Raskapur and produced by Mukesh Pandya.
Publication
The stories first appeared in Zagmag starting 1945. They were later published as book format by Sandesh Balsathi Granthmala in 1946, by Bharati Sahitya Sangh in 1951, by Zagmag Prakashan in 1953 and by R. R. Sheth ni Company in 1963. Several stories were later republished under the title, Miya Fuski Vinodmala. Some of them are:
