Meghani e-mortalised by grandson

Mahatma Gandhi had acknowledged Meghani as a major factor that helped build nationalistic fervor with his songs of patriotism and gave him the sobriquet of 'Rashtriya Shayar' (National Poet). Now you can hear Meghani sing the soul-stirring, 'Ho raj mane lagyo kasumbi no rang', besides 'Aaj to sapna ma to dolto dungar deetho', a famous folk

compiled by Meghani and 'Hajaro varsh juni amari vedanao', at the click of a mouse

When Meghani was alive, Dutch researcher Dr Arnold Baake and his wife, who traveled across India to record folklore at the behest of Oxford University, recorded Meghani's voice. His grandson Pinaki Meghani now has created a website giving lots of interesting insights, photos, poetry in Meghani's voice and his works.

Some less-known facets of Meghani's life, like how he traveled hundreds of miles to collect folk literature and that he was so interested in that he adapted some of their scripts in Gujarati. He saw great classic movies like Charlie Chaplin's 'City Lights', Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Viva Villa, Topaz and so on, and compiled them in two books 'Pratimao' and 'Palkara'.

Everything about Meghani during his life between August 28, 1896 and March 9, 1947, including rare family pictures, the fountain pen he wrote with, letterheads etc. are put up on the website.

Software engineer Pinaki told TOI, "My aim behind preparing this website is to introduce the work and life of Meghani to GenNext and people, who don't know Gujarati."