Dhirubhai Thaker Biography 
Dhirubhai Thaker was a legendary personality associated with Gujarati literature. Pioneer of Gujarati encyclopedia, he was best known for creating the Gujarati Vishwakosh, a 25-volume encyclopedia of the Gujarati language. Thaker was also known as a historian of Gujarati literature. Indian government honoured him with Padma Bhushan on January 25, 2014 for his contribution in field of literature and education. He died on January 22, 2014, three days prior to the announcement of Padma Bhushan, aged 95. He was an eminent creative writer, critic, essayist, translator, researcher, educationist, playwright, biographer and also a freedom fighter.
He was born on 27 June 1918 in Kodinar near Junagadh, Gujarat. He was brought up in Viramgam, Ahmedabad. He received his first awards while doing his graduation. He completed MA from Mumbai University in 1941, and worked as a professor at Gujarat College until 1960. By that time he completed his PhD and joined Modasa College in 1960. He retired as the Principal of Modasa College at the age of 60. Thakar is credited to be the only one writer to write a complete history of Gujarati literature. The mastermind behind Gujarati Vishwakosh, the 25 volume book has 25,000 pages and 23,000 entries of Gujarati language. 1700 experts contributed to this work at a cost of Rs. 2.5 crore. He started this work at the age of 67 years.
He donated Rs. 10 lakh for Vishwakosh’s Lalitkala Kendra and when asked if the Kendra be named after him, Dhirubhai said no. Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust was established in year 1985. A freedom fighter, Dhirubhai Thaker participated in Quit India Movement and was injured while attempting to stop a police official. He translated Pablo Neruda’s Memoirs to Gujarati in year 2009. Quite active in the literal life till his last days, he published “Gandhiji ane panch saksharo” in 2011.
Published: N/A
Updated: February 27, 2016
