Sitanshu Yashaschandra

Sitanshu Yashaschandra Biography

Sitanshu Yashaschandra is a Gujarati writer and translator. He is known as a playwright, poet and academic, who currently serves as President of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad. His collection of poems titled Jatayu won Gujarati Sahitya Akademi Award in the year 1987. In2006 government of India honoured him with Padma Shri for his contributions towards the field of literature. Saraswati Samman (2017), Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar (2013) and Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak (1987) are other major honours received by him. He served as the chief editor of the Encyclopedia of Indian Literature published by Sahitya Akademi, Delhi in 1977.

He was born on 18 August 1941 at Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat. His father worked with government. His higher education was completed from Mumbai. In 1970, he went to US under Fulbright Scholarship, and later completed PhD in 1975. He also studied in France and completed his second PhD from Mumbai University in 1977. In 1966 Sitanshu married Anjaniben, and had one son and one daughter. Since 1972, he taught at different colleges and universities. Sitanshu served as Vice-Chancellor of Saurashtra University, Rajkot, and also served as a visiting professor for some Indian and foreign universities.  

As a writer he predominantly wrote in Gujarati language, and many of his works were translated to many Indian languages. He has also translated English works to Gujarati language. Best among his poetry collections include Odysseus nu Halesu (1974), Jatayu (1986) and Vakhar (2008). Mohen-jo-dado is a collection of poems published in 1970. Apart from poetry, he authored numerous plays. He also adapted a few of them. His literary criticism includes - Simankan ane Simollanghan (1977), Ramaniyata no Vagvikalpa (1979) and Asyaha Sarga Vidhau (2002).

Published: January 07, 2019

Updated: January 07, 2019