Shivkumar was born on 16 November 1916 at Ahmedabad to Sanskrit scholar Girijashankar Joshi. He acted in plays at early age of seven or eight when he was introduced in Natmandal, a stage troupe of Jaishankar Sundari. He completed his primary and secondary education from Ahmedabad and passed matriculation in 1933. He completed BA in Sanskrit from Gujarat College, Ahmedabad in 1937. He participated in Indian independence movement during his college days and was imprisoned for short period. He ran garment shop in partnership in Ahmedabad and Mumbai from 1937 to 1958. He started his own garment shop in Calcutta in 1958 and started participating in social, cultural, literature and stage activities. He was photographer and painter also. He died on 4 July 1988. His son Ruchir Joshi is also an author.
Works
Plays
He wrote, directed and also acted in plays. Pankh Vinana Pareva ane Bija Natako was his first collection of one-act plays. His other collections of one-act plays are Anant Sadhna, Sonani Hansadi Roopani Hansadi, Neelanchal, Neerad Chhaya and Ganga Vahe Chhe Aapni. His plays mostly depict a conflict of the characters associated with urban life. They are social and introvert. His Be Takhta was an experimental play and he wrote a number of radio plays. Sumangala was his first full-length play. His other full-length plays are Andhara Ulecho, Angarbhasma, Sandhyadipika, Durvankar, Ghata Dhiri Dhiri Aai, Ekne Takore, Suvarnarekha, Shataranj, Kritivaas, Saaputara, Sandhikaal, Beejal, Ajramar, Kahat Kabira, Kaka Sagarika, Banshayya, Nakula and Triparna, Lakshmanrekha, Neel Aakash, Leeli Dhara and Dwiparna, Amar-Amar Mar, Mashankarni Aisi Taisi. He adapted Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay's Biraj Bou and Devdas into plays.
Novels
He had written more than twenty five novels. His novels are derived from present times or sociopolitical incidents of recent past in which he intervened love stories. Kanchukibandh was his first novel. Aabh Ruve Eni Navalakhdhare is a long novel while Kamal Kanan Colony is a novella. His other novels are Anang Raag, ShravaniS. S. Roopnarayan, Diyo Abhayna Daan, Sonal Chhay, Kef Kasumbal, Rajat Rekh, Ek Kan Re Apo, Nathi Hu Narayani, Ayananshu, Asim Padchhaya, Lachhman Ur Maila, Vasantnu E Van, Chirag, Marichika, Popat Amba Keri Daal, Aa Avadhpuri! Aa Ram!!, Udi Udi Jaav Pareva, Priya Ramya Vibhavari, Ganga Bahai, Nahi Rain, Kalhansi and Kesude Kaman Gholya.
Short stories
He wrote large number of short stories. His short story collections include Rajanigandha, Trishul, Rahasyanagari, Raat Andhari, Abhisar, KanakkatoroKomal Gandhar, Kajal Kotadi, Navpad, Chhalchaal, Shanti Paravar and Sakal Tirath.
Other works
Jovi'ti Kotaro ne.... Jovi'ti Kandara and Pagala Padi Gaya Chhe are his travelogues. His experience with stage and memoir of theatre is written in Maarag Aa Pan Chhe Shoorano. He translated four works from Bengali into Gujarati which include Rabindranath Tagore's Jogajog, Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay's Adarsha Hindu Hotel, Gajendra Kumar Mitra's Kalakatar Kachhei as Kalkattani Saav Samipe and Vijay Bhattacharya's Navu Dhaan.
