Sitanshu Yashaschandra: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Gujarati poet and writer}}
{{Short description|Gujarati poet and writer (born 1941)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
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| period = modern [[Gujarati literature]]
| period = modern [[Gujarati literature]]
| language = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
| language = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
| nationality= [[India]]n
| nationality= Indian
| alma_mater       ={{plainlist|
| alma_mater ={{plainlist|
* [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]] <small>(B.A.)</small>
*[[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]] <small>(B.A.)</small>
* [[University of Bombay]] <small>(M.A.; 1965)</small>
*[[University of Bombay]] <small>(M.A.; 1965)</small>
* [[Indiana University]]
*[[Indiana University Bloomington]]
}}
}}
| notableworks = ''[[Jatayu (book)|Jatayu]]'' (1986)
| notableworks = ''[[Jatayu (book)|Jatayu]]'' (1986)
| awards={{plainlist|
| awards={{plainlist|
* [[Saraswati Samman]] (2017)
*[[Saraswati Samman]] (2017)
* [[Padma Shri]] (2006)
*[[Padma Shri]] (2006)
* [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] (1987)
*[[Sahitya Akademi Award]] (1987)
* [[Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak]] (1987)
*[[Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak]] (1987)
}}
}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Anjaniben|8 May 1966}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Anjaniben|8 May 1966}}
| signature = Sitanshu Yashaschandra signature.svg
| signature = Sitanshu Yashaschandra signature.svg
|module = {{Listen |embed= yes |filename=Jatayu poem.ogg|title= Sitanshu Yashaschandra's voice |description=''Jatayu'', a poem written by him}}
|module = {{Listen |embed= yes |filename=|title= Sitanshu Yashaschandra's voice |description=''Jatayu'', a poem written by him}}
}}
}}


'''Sitanshu Yashaschandra Mehta''' (born 1941), better known as '''Sitanshu Yashaschandra''', is a [[Gujarati language]] poet, playwright, translator and academic from India.<ref name=aa>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mSrEUjm674AC&pg=PA303 |title=Gestures: An Anthology of South Asian Poetry|author=K. Satchidanandan|author-link=K. Satchidanandan|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|year=1996|isbn=9788126000197|page=303}}</ref>
'''Sitanshu Yashaschandra Mehta''' (born 19 August 1941), better known as '''Sitanshu Yashaschandra''', is an Indian [[Gujarati language|Gujarati-language]] poet, playwright, translator and academic from [[Gujarat]], India.<ref name=aa>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mSrEUjm674AC&pg=PA303 |title=Gestures: An Anthology of South Asian Poetry|author=K. Satchidanandan|author-link=K. Satchidanandan|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|year=1996|isbn=9788126000197|page=303}}</ref>


He was the President of [[Gujarati Sahitya Parishad]]. He was awarded the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] given by [[Sahitya Akademi]], India's National Academy of Letters, in 1987 for his poetry collection ''[[Jatayu (book)|Jatayu]]''. Subsequently, he was awarded the [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest civilian award by Government of India, in 2006.<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=July 21, 2015}}</ref>
He was the President of [[Gujarati Sahitya Parishad]]. He was awarded the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] given by [[Sahitya Akademi]], India's National Academy of Letters, in 1987 for his poetry collection ''[[Jatayu (book)|Jatayu]]''. Subsequently, he was awarded the [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest civilian award by Government of India, in 2006.<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=July 21, 2015}}</ref>


== Life ==
==Life==
Sitanshu Yashaschandra was born on 19 August 1941 at [[Bhuj]], [[Cutch State]] (now in [[Kutch]], Gujarat, India).<ref name=pi>{{cite web|url=http://www.poetryinternationalweb.net/pi/site/poet/item/11819/27/Sitanshu-Yashaschandra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026071534/http://www.poetryinternationalweb.net/pi/site/poet/item/11819/27/Sitanshu-Yashaschandra|url-status=usurped|archive-date=26 October 2012|title=Sitanshu Yashaschandra|work=Poetry International Rotterdam|date=1 July 2008|access-date=9 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Modern Indian literature, an anthology|volume=3|publisher=Sāhitya Akādemī|first=K. M.|last=George|year=1992|isbn=9788172013240|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BfpjAAAAMAAJ&q=sitanshu+Yashaschandra|page=579}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museindia.com/authprofile.asp?id=379|publisher=Muse India ejournal|access-date=6 October 2014|title=Labhshankar Thakar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107012044/http://www.museindia.com/authprofile.asp?id=379|archive-date=7 November 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> His family belonged to [[Petlad]]. His father was a Government Officer. He completed BA in Gujarati and [[Sanskrit]] from [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]] and later MA from [[University of Bombay]] in 1965. He taught Gujarati from 1965 to 1968. In 1970, he went to US under [[Fulbright Program|Fulbright Scholarship]] and studied MA in Aesthetics and Comparative Literature from [[Indiana University Bloomington]]. He later completed PhD in 1975. He went to France for a year under Ford West European Fellowship where he studied, translated in Gujarati and did comparative study of [[Eugène Ionesco]]'s ''[[Macbett]]'' and [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Macbeth]]''. He also completed PhD in 1977 from [[University of Mumbai]] under [[Ramprasad Bakshi]].<ref name=pi/><ref name=a/><ref name= "agsi">{{cite book|title=અર્વાચીન ગુજરાતી સાહિત્યનો ઈતિહાસ - આધુનિક અને અનુઆધુનિક યુગ (History of Modern Gujarati Literature – Modern and Postmodern Era)|first=Prasad|last=Brahmabhatt |publisher=Parshwa Publication|location=Ahmedabad|year=2010|pages=63–69|isbn=978-93-5108-247-7|language=gu}}</ref>


He was born on 19 August 1941 at [[Bhuj]], [[Cutch State]] (now in [[Kutch]], Gujarat, India).<ref name=pi>{{cite web|url=http://www.poetryinternationalweb.net/pi/site/poet/item/11819/27/Sitanshu-Yashaschandra|title=Sitanshu Yashaschandra|work=Poetry International Rotterdam|date=1 July 2008|access-date=9 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Modern Indian literature, an anthology|volume=3|publisher=Sāhitya Akādemī|first=K. M.|last=George|year=1992|isbn=9788172013240|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BfpjAAAAMAAJ&q=sitanshu+Yashaschandra|page=579}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museindia.com/authprofile.asp?id=379|publisher=Muse India ejournal|access-date=6 October 2014|title=Labhshankar Thakar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107012044/http://www.museindia.com/authprofile.asp?id=379|archive-date=7 November 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> His family belonged to [[Petlad]]. His father was a Government Officer. He completed BA in Gujarati and [[Sanskrit]] from [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]] and later MA from [[University of Bombay]] in 1965. He taught Gujarati from 1965 to 1968. In 1970, he went to US under [[Fulbright Program|Fulbright Scholarship]] and studied MA in Aesthetics and Comparative Literature from [[Indiana University]]. He later completed PhD in 1975. He went to France for a year under Ford West European Fellowship where he studied, translated in Gujarati and did comparative study of [[Eugène Ionesco]]'s ''[[Macbett]]'' and [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Macbeth]]''. He also completed PhD in 1977 from [[University of Mumbai]] under [[Ramprasad Bakshi]].<ref name=pi/><ref name=a/><ref name= "agsi">{{cite book|title=અર્વાચીન ગુજરાતી સાહિત્યનો ઈતિહાસ - આધુનિક અને અનુઆધુનિક યુગ (History of Modern Gujarati Literature – Modern and Postmodern Era)|first=Prasad|last=Brahmabhatt |publisher=Parshwa Publication|location=Ahmedabad|year=2010|pages=63–69|isbn=978-93-5108-247-7|language=gu}}</ref>
Yashaschandra married Anjaniben on 8 May 1966. His daughter, Vipasha, was born in 1971, while his son, Aranyak, in 1978.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Upadhyay |first=Darshana |title=સર્જક સિતાંશુ યશશ્ચન્દ્ર: કાવ્ય અને નાટ્ય-સાહિત્ય સંદર્ભે: એક અભ્યાસ |trans-title=Writer Sitanshu Yashaschandra: A Study in Context of His Poems and Plays |chapter-url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/98131 |type=Ph.D |language=gu |date=31 December 2007 |chapter=Chapter 6 |publisher=Department of Gujarati, [[Sardar Patel University]] |location=Vallabh Vidyanagar |pages=772–775|hdl=10603/98131}}</ref>


Sitanshu married Anjaniben on 8 May 1966. His daughter, Vipasha, was born in 1971, while his son, Aranyak, in 1978.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Upadhyay |first=Darshana |title=સર્જક સિતાંશુ યશશ્ચન્દ્ર: કાવ્ય અને નાટ્ય-સાહિત્ય સંદર્ભે: એક અભ્યાસ |trans-title=Writer Sitanshu Yashaschandra: A Study in Contex of His Poems and Plays |chapter-url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/98131 |type=Ph.D |language=gu |date=31 December 2007 |chapter=Chapter 6 |publisher=Department of Gujarati, [[Sardar Patel University]] |location=Vallabh Vidyanagar |pages=772–775}}</ref>
===Career===
 
=== Career ===
[[File:Department of Gujarati at M S University.jpg|thumb|Building of Department of Gujarati, M. S. University]]
[[File:Department of Gujarati at M S University.jpg|thumb|Building of Department of Gujarati, M. S. University]]
He has taught Gujarati at [[Mithibai College]] from 1972 to 1975 and later at [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda]] from 1983. Sitanshu served as Vice-Chancellor of [[Saurashtra University]], [[Rajkot]] for three years.<ref name=":055">{{Cite book|url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195644463.001.0001/acref-9780195644463-e-0737?rskey=tVZclk&result=2|title=Oxford Companion to Indian Theatre|last=Baradi|first=Hasmukh|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2004|isbn=9780195644463|editor-last=Lal|editor-first=Ananda|language=en|chapter=Yashashchandra, Sitanshu (1941– ): Gujarati poet and dramatist.|doi=10.1093/acref/9780195644463.001.0001|via=Oxford Reference}} {{subscription required}}</ref> He served as a visiting Professor at the [[Sorbonne University]], [[Loyola Marymount University]], and [[Jadavpur University]]. He was an [[Emeritus Professor]] and National Lecturer at [[University Grant Commission (India)|University Grant Commission]]. He was appointed as the chief editor of the ''[[Encyclopedia of Indian Literature]]'' published by [[Sahitya Akademi]], Delhi in 1977.<ref name=pi/><ref name= "agsi"/><ref name=a>{{cite web|url=http://www.adaptssi.org/trusteeandgovernngbody.html|work=Adapt Org|title=Trustees and Governing body}}</ref><ref name=sa>{{cite web|url=http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/sahitya-akademi/aboutus/worldpoetryfest_3.jsp|title=World Poetry Fest Participants |publisher=Sahitya Akademi|access-date =11 July 2014}}</ref>
He has taught Gujarati at [[Mithibai College]] from 1972 to 1975 and later at [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda]] from 1983. Sitanshu served as Vice-Chancellor of [[Saurashtra University]], [[Rajkot]] for three years.<ref name=":055">{{Cite book|url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195644463.001.0001/acref-9780195644463-e-0737?rskey=tVZclk&result=2|title=Oxford Companion to Indian Theatre|last=Baradi|first=Hasmukh|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2004|isbn=9780195644463|editor-last=Lal|editor-first=Ananda|language=en|chapter=Yashashchandra, Sitanshu (1941– ): Gujarati poet and dramatist.|doi=10.1093/acref/9780195644463.001.0001|via=Oxford Reference}} {{subscription required}}</ref> He served as a visiting professor at the [[Sorbonne University]], [[Loyola Marymount University]], and [[Jadavpur University]]. He was an [[emeritus professor]] and national lecturer at [[University Grant Commission (India)|University Grant Commission]]. He was appointed the chief editor of the ''[[Encyclopedia of Indian Literature]]'' published by [[Sahitya Akademi]], Delhi in 1977.<ref name=pi/><ref name= "agsi"/><ref name=a>{{cite web|url=http://www.adaptssi.org/trusteeandgovernngbody.html|work=Adapt Org|title=Trustees and Governing body|access-date=8 July 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113245/http://www.adaptssi.org/trusteeandgovernngbody.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=sa>{{cite web|url=http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/sahitya-akademi/aboutus/worldpoetryfest_3.jsp|title=World Poetry Fest Participants |publisher=Sahitya Akademi|access-date =11 July 2014}}</ref>


== Works ==
==Works==
He wrote mainly in Gujarati but his works are translated into Hindi and other languages. He has translated some works of poetry, drama and criticism from English to Gujarati.<ref name=pi/> [[Surrealism]] is considered as his signature style.<ref name= "agsi"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AXiNXRM_KzMC&pg=PA93 |title=Indian Poetry: Modernism and After : a Seminar|first=Chandrakant|last =Topiwala|page=93|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|year= 2001|isbn=9788126010929}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lTnv6o-d_oC&pg=PA120 |title=Handbook of Twentieth-century Literatures of India|first=Nalini Natarajan|last= Emmanuel Sampath Nelson|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1996|isbn=9780313287787|pages=121–122}}</ref>
Yashaschandra wrote mainly in Gujarati but his works are translated into Hindi and other languages. He has translated some works of poetry, drama and criticism from English to Gujarati.<ref name=pi/> [[Surrealism]] is considered as his signature style.<ref name= "agsi"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AXiNXRM_KzMC&pg=PA93 |title=Indian Poetry: Modernism and After : a Seminar|first=Chandrakant|last =Topiwala|page=93|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|year= 2001|isbn=9788126010929}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lTnv6o-d_oC&pg=PA120 |title=Handbook of Twentieth-century Literatures of India|first=Nalini Natarajan|last= Emmanuel Sampath Nelson|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1996|isbn=9780313287787|pages=121–122}}</ref>


''Odysseus nu Halesu'' (1974), ''Jatayu'' (1986) and ''Vakhar'' (2008) are his collections of poetry. ''Mohen-jo-dado'' is a collection of poems published in August 1970 in ''Sanskriti'' magazine and later released on audio cassette in 1978.<ref name= "agsi"/>
''Odysseus nu Halesu'' (1974), ''Jatayu'' (1986) and ''Vakhar'' (2008) are his collections of poetry. ''Mohen-jo-dado'' is a collection of poems published in August 1970 in ''Sanskriti'' magazine and later released on audio cassette in 1978.<ref name= "agsi"/>


He has written and adapted several plays. He adapted [[Eugène Ionesco]]'s ''[[The Lesson]]'' in Gujarati. He also adapted [[Thomas Hardy]]'s story, ''Day After The Fair'' as a play, ''Vaishakhi Koyal'' in Gujarati. He also adapted [[Peter Shaffer]]'s ''[[Equus (play)|Equus]]'' as ''Tokhar'' in Gujarati.<ref name="agsi" /> It was produced by [[Pravin Joshi]], Shafi Inamdar, and Mahendra Joshi.<ref name=":055" /> All three adaptations were successful literary and commercially.<ref name="agsi" /> His ''Aa Manas Madrasi Lage Chhe'' (This Man Looks Madrasi, 1978) was directed by Satyadev Dube.<ref name=":055" /> ''Kem Makanji, Kya Chalya?'' (Hello Makanji, Where Are You Going?, 1985) appeared as a radio play was directed by Nimesh Desai of Chorus.<ref name=":055" /> ''Grahan (''Eclipse'', 1989), directed by P. S. Chari,'' was inspired from ''[[Oedipus]]''.<ref name=":055" /><ref name="agsi" />
He has written and adapted several plays. He adapted [[Eugène Ionesco]]'s ''[[The Lesson]]'' as ''Margdarshan'' in Gujarati. He also adapted [[Thomas Hardy]]'s story, ''Day After The Fair'' as a play, ''Vaishakhi Koyal'' in Gujarati. He also adapted [[Peter Shaffer]]'s ''[[Equus (play)|Equus]]'' as ''Tokhar'' in Gujarati.<ref name="agsi" /> It was produced by [[Pravin Joshi]], Shafi Inamdar, and Mahendra Joshi.<ref name=":055" /> All three literary adaptations were successful commercially.<ref name="agsi" /> His ''Aa Manas Madrasi Lage Chhe'' (This Man Looks Madrasi, 1978) was directed by Satyadev Dube.<ref name=":055" /> ''Kem Makanji, Kya Chalya?'' (Hello Makanji, Where Are You Going?, 1985) appeared as a radio play was directed by Nimesh Desai of Chorus.<ref name=":055" /> ''Grahan'' (''Eclipse'', 1989), directed by P. S. Chari, was inspired by ''[[Oedipus]]''.<ref name=":055" /><ref name="agsi" />


In 1999, his six plays, all performed on stage, were published, which included ''Chhabili Ramati Chhanumanu'', ''Kem Makanji, Kya Chalya?'', ''Lady Lalkunwar'', ''Aa Manas Madrasi Lage Chhe'', ''Tokhar'' and ''Khagras''. ''Lady Lalkunvar'' (1999) is a Gujarati adaptation of [[Eduardo De Filippo]]'s play, ''[[Filumena Marturano]]''. ''Ashvatthama'' and ''Grahan'' are his unpublished works. ''Jagine Joyu To'' is his another work. He has edited ''Natya-Kesuda''.<ref name="agsi" />
In 1999, his six plays, all performed on stage, were published, which included ''Chhabili Ramati Chhanumanu'', ''Kem Makanji, Kya Chalya?'', ''Lady Lalkunwar'', ''Aa Manas Madrasi Lage Chhe'', ''Tokhar'' and ''Khagras''. ''Lady Lalkunvar'' (1999) is a Gujarati adaptation of [[Eduardo De Filippo]]'s play, ''[[Filumena Marturano]]''.<ref name="agsi" /> ''Ashvatthama Aaje Pan Jive Chhe (ane Hanay Chhe)'' (2021) is a play based on [[Ashwatthama]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ashwatthama : Aaje Pan Jive Chhe (Ane Hanay Chhe) by Sitanshu Yashaschandra {{!}} Book Pratha |url=https://www.bookpratha.com/bookdetail/Index/268699?name=Ashwatthama-Aaje-Pan-Jive-Chhe-Ane-Hanay-Chhe |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=www.bookpratha.com}}</ref> ''Grahan'' is his unpublished work. ''Jagine Joyu To'' is his other work. He has edited ''Natya-Kesuda''.<ref name="agsi" />


''Simankan ane Simollanghan'' (1977), ''Ramaniyata no Vagvikalpa'' (1979) and ''Asyaha Sarga Vidhau'' (2002) are his works of criticism, theory of literature and literary historiography.<ref name= "agsi"/>
''Simankan ane Simollanghan'' (1977), ''Ramaniyata no Vagvikalpa'' (1979) and ''Asyaha Sarga Vidhau'' (2002) are his works of criticism, theory of literature and literary historiography.<ref name= "agsi"/>
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He had written a screenplay of 1993 Hindi film ''[[Maya Memsaab]]'', which was based on [[Gustave Flaubert]]'s ''[[Madame Bovary]]''.<ref>{{IMDb name|0946575}}</ref>
He had written a screenplay of 1993 Hindi film ''[[Maya Memsaab]]'', which was based on [[Gustave Flaubert]]'s ''[[Madame Bovary]]''.<ref>{{IMDb name|0946575}}</ref>


== Awards ==
He edited the book ''Critical Discourse in Gujarati'', an anthology of critical writings in Gujarati.<ref name="Acharya 2024">{{cite journal |last=Acharya|first=Abhimanyu|author-link=Abhimanyu Acharya|title=Critical Discourse in Gujarati|journal=South Asian History and Culture|date=31 December 2024|issn=1947-2498|doi=10.1080/19472498.2024.2447196|pages=1–3}}</ref>
 
==Awards==
[[File:The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Padma Shri to Shri Sitanshu Yashaschandra, a theorist of culture, at an Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 29, 2006.jpg|thumb|The President, Dr. [[A.P.J. Abdul Kalam]] presenting Padma Shri to Sitanshu Yashaschandra, at an Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 29, 2006]]
[[File:The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Padma Shri to Shri Sitanshu Yashaschandra, a theorist of culture, at an Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 29, 2006.jpg|thumb|The President, Dr. [[A.P.J. Abdul Kalam]] presenting Padma Shri to Sitanshu Yashaschandra, at an Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 29, 2006]]
He received [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] for Gujarati writer in 1987 for his poetry collection ''Jatayu''.<ref name=aa/> He also received [[Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak]], the highest award in Gujarati literature, in 1987. He was awarded [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Padma Awards Directory (1954–2013)|publisher=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.mid-day.com/news/2006/mar/134105.htm|title=Corea~ Khare given Padma awards|place=New Delhi|publisher=Mid Day|date=29 March 2006|access-date =9 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=16900|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|title=President presents second set of civil investiture Awards for 2006|date=29 March 2006|access-date =12 July 2014}}</ref> He also received Rashtriya Kabir Samman (1998) by [[Government of Madhya Pradesh]], Indian National Theatre – [[Gujarat Samachar]] award, Nanalal Award, Gujarat State Government Poetry award.<ref name=aa/><ref name=sa/> He was selected for Adyakavi [[Narsinh Mehta Award]] in 2008 but he had declined.<ref name="agsi"/> In 2013, he won [[Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar]]. He received [[Saraswati Samman]] (2017) for his poetry collection ''Vakhar''.<ref name="India Today 2018">{{cite web | author=PTI | title=Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashaschandras "Vakhar" chosen for Saraswati Samman | website=India Today | date=2018-04-27 | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/gujarati-poet-sitanshu-yashaschandras-vakhar-chosen-for-saraswati-samman-1221702-2018-04-27 | access-date=2018-04-27}}</ref> The award citation said: "...Vakhar is the pinnacle of his poetic journey where he crosses the boundaries of the real world and establishes high standards of Liberty in language and creativity by evolving a balance in the contradicting elements of human emotions and thoughts".<ref name="BindustanTimes2019">{{cite web|title=Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashaschandra presented Saraswati Samman for 2017|website=Hindustan Times|date=22 January 2019|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarati-poet-sitanshu-yashaschandra-presented-saraswati-samman-for-2017/story-fSlZd1XYh2ejULkqtfOPhP.html|access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref>
He received [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] for Gujarati writer in 1987 for his poetry collection ''Jatayu''.<ref name=aa/> He also received [[Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak]], the highest award in Gujarati literature, in 1987. He was awarded [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Padma Awards Directory (1954–2013)|publisher=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.mid-day.com/news/2006/mar/134105.htm|title=Corea~ Khare given Padma awards|place=New Delhi|publisher=Mid Day|date=29 March 2006|access-date=9 July 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304022555/http://archive.mid-day.com/news/2006/mar/134105.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=16900|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|title=President presents second set of civil investiture Awards for 2006|date=29 March 2006|access-date =12 July 2014}}</ref> He also received Rashtriya Kabir Samman (1998) by [[Government of Madhya Pradesh]], Indian National Theatre – [[Gujarat Samachar]] award, Nanalal Award, Gujarat State Government Poetry award.<ref name=aa/><ref name=sa/> He was selected for Adyakavi [[Narsinh Mehta Award]] in 2008 but he had declined.<ref name="agsi"/> In 2013, he won [[Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar]]. He received [[Saraswati Samman]] (2017) for his poetry collection ''Vakhar''.<ref name="India Today 2018">{{cite web | author=PTI | title=Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashaschandras "Vakhar" chosen for Saraswati Samman | website=India Today | date=2018-04-27 | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/gujarati-poet-sitanshu-yashaschandras-vakhar-chosen-for-saraswati-samman-1221702-2018-04-27 | access-date=2018-04-27}}</ref> The award citation said: "...Vakhar is the pinnacle of his poetic journey where he crosses the boundaries of the real world and establishes high standards of Liberty in language and creativity by evolving a balance in the contradicting elements of human emotions and thoughts".<ref name="BindustanTimes2019">{{cite web|title=Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashaschandra presented Saraswati Samman for 2017|website=Hindustan Times|date=22 January 2019|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarati-poet-sitanshu-yashaschandra-presented-saraswati-samman-for-2017/story-fSlZd1XYh2ejULkqtfOPhP.html|access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref>


== See also ==
==See also==
* [[List of Gujarati-language writers]]
*[[List of Gujarati-language writers]]


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


== External links ==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{Google Books|id=eAA7JME-rXgC}}
* {{Gujarati Vishwakosh}}
* {{IMDb name}}
*{{Google Books|id=eAA7JME-rXgC}}
*{{IMDb name}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Literature & Education}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Literature & Education}}
{{Saraswati Samman}}
{{Saraswati Samman}}
{{Gangadhar National Award For Poetry}}
{{Gangadhar National Award For Poetry}}
{{Sahitya Akademi Award for Gujarati}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Presidents of the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad]]

Latest revision as of 20:46, 14 February 2026


Sitanshu Yashaschandra
at Loktak Lake, December 2016
at Loktak Lake, December 2016
BornSitanshu Yashaschandra Mehta
(1941-08-19) 19 August 1941 (age 84)
Bhuj (now in Kutch, Gujarat, India)
Occupationpoet, literary critic, playwright, editor
LanguageGujarati
NationalityIndian
Alma mater
Periodmodern Gujarati literature
Notable worksJatayu (1986)
Notable awards
Spouse
Anjaniben
(
m. 1966)
Signature

Sitanshu Yashaschandra Mehta (born 19 August 1941), better known as Sitanshu Yashaschandra, is an Indian Gujarati-language poet, playwright, translator and academic from Gujarat, India.[1]

He was the President of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award given by Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, in 1987 for his poetry collection Jatayu. Subsequently, he was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award by Government of India, in 2006.[2]

Life[edit | edit source]

Sitanshu Yashaschandra was born on 19 August 1941 at Bhuj, Cutch State (now in Kutch, Gujarat, India).[3][4][5] His family belonged to Petlad. His father was a Government Officer. He completed BA in Gujarati and Sanskrit from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai and later MA from University of Bombay in 1965. He taught Gujarati from 1965 to 1968. In 1970, he went to US under Fulbright Scholarship and studied MA in Aesthetics and Comparative Literature from Indiana University Bloomington. He later completed PhD in 1975. He went to France for a year under Ford West European Fellowship where he studied, translated in Gujarati and did comparative study of Eugène Ionesco's Macbett and Shakespeare's Macbeth. He also completed PhD in 1977 from University of Mumbai under Ramprasad Bakshi.[3][6][7]

Yashaschandra married Anjaniben on 8 May 1966. His daughter, Vipasha, was born in 1971, while his son, Aranyak, in 1978.[8]

Career[edit | edit source]

Building of Department of Gujarati, M. S. University

He has taught Gujarati at Mithibai College from 1972 to 1975 and later at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda from 1983. Sitanshu served as Vice-Chancellor of Saurashtra University, Rajkot for three years.[9] He served as a visiting professor at the Sorbonne University, Loyola Marymount University, and Jadavpur University. He was an emeritus professor and national lecturer at University Grant Commission. He was appointed the chief editor of the Encyclopedia of Indian Literature published by Sahitya Akademi, Delhi in 1977.[3][7][6][10]

Works[edit | edit source]

Yashaschandra wrote mainly in Gujarati but his works are translated into Hindi and other languages. He has translated some works of poetry, drama and criticism from English to Gujarati.[3] Surrealism is considered as his signature style.[7][11][12]

Odysseus nu Halesu (1974), Jatayu (1986) and Vakhar (2008) are his collections of poetry. Mohen-jo-dado is a collection of poems published in August 1970 in Sanskriti magazine and later released on audio cassette in 1978.[7]

He has written and adapted several plays. He adapted Eugène Ionesco's The Lesson as Margdarshan in Gujarati. He also adapted Thomas Hardy's story, Day After The Fair as a play, Vaishakhi Koyal in Gujarati. He also adapted Peter Shaffer's Equus as Tokhar in Gujarati.[7] It was produced by Pravin Joshi, Shafi Inamdar, and Mahendra Joshi.[9] All three literary adaptations were successful commercially.[7] His Aa Manas Madrasi Lage Chhe (This Man Looks Madrasi, 1978) was directed by Satyadev Dube.[9] Kem Makanji, Kya Chalya? (Hello Makanji, Where Are You Going?, 1985) appeared as a radio play was directed by Nimesh Desai of Chorus.[9] Grahan (Eclipse, 1989), directed by P. S. Chari, was inspired by Oedipus.[9][7]

In 1999, his six plays, all performed on stage, were published, which included Chhabili Ramati Chhanumanu, Kem Makanji, Kya Chalya?, Lady Lalkunwar, Aa Manas Madrasi Lage Chhe, Tokhar and Khagras. Lady Lalkunvar (1999) is a Gujarati adaptation of Eduardo De Filippo's play, Filumena Marturano.[7] Ashvatthama Aaje Pan Jive Chhe (ane Hanay Chhe) (2021) is a play based on Ashwatthama.[13] Grahan is his unpublished work. Jagine Joyu To is his other work. He has edited Natya-Kesuda.[7]

Simankan ane Simollanghan (1977), Ramaniyata no Vagvikalpa (1979) and Asyaha Sarga Vidhau (2002) are his works of criticism, theory of literature and literary historiography.[7]

He had written a screenplay of 1993 Hindi film Maya Memsaab, which was based on Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary.[14]

He edited the book Critical Discourse in Gujarati, an anthology of critical writings in Gujarati.[15]

Awards[edit | edit source]

The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Padma Shri to Sitanshu Yashaschandra, at an Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 29, 2006

He received Sahitya Akademi Award for Gujarati writer in 1987 for his poetry collection Jatayu.[1] He also received Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak, the highest award in Gujarati literature, in 1987. He was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2006.[16][17][18] He also received Rashtriya Kabir Samman (1998) by Government of Madhya Pradesh, Indian National Theatre – Gujarat Samachar award, Nanalal Award, Gujarat State Government Poetry award.[1][10] He was selected for Adyakavi Narsinh Mehta Award in 2008 but he had declined.[7] In 2013, he won Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar. He received Saraswati Samman (2017) for his poetry collection Vakhar.[19] The award citation said: "...Vakhar is the pinnacle of his poetic journey where he crosses the boundaries of the real world and establishes high standards of Liberty in language and creativity by evolving a balance in the contradicting elements of human emotions and thoughts".[20]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 K. Satchidanandan (1996). Gestures: An Anthology of South Asian Poetry. Sahitya Akademi. p. 303. ISBN 9788126000197.
  2. ↑ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Sitanshu Yashaschandra". Poetry International Rotterdam. 1 July 2008. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  4. ↑ George, K. M. (1992). Modern Indian literature, an anthology. Vol. 3. Sāhitya Akādemī. p. 579. ISBN 9788172013240.
  5. ↑ "Labhshankar Thakar". Muse India ejournal. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Trustees and Governing body". Adapt Org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 Brahmabhatt, Prasad (2010). અર્વાચીન ગુજરાતી સાહિત્યનો ઈતિહાસ - આધુનિક અને અનુઆધુનિક યુગ (History of Modern Gujarati Literature – Modern and Postmodern Era) (in ગુજરાતી). Ahmedabad: Parshwa Publication. pp. 63–69. ISBN 978-93-5108-247-7.
  8. ↑ Upadhyay, Darshana (31 December 2007). "Chapter 6". સર્જક સિતાંશુ યશશ્ચન્દ્ર: કાવ્ય અને નાટ્ય-સાહિત્ય સંદર્ભે: એક અભ્યાસ [Writer Sitanshu Yashaschandra: A Study in Context of His Poems and Plays] (Ph.D) (in ગુજરાતી). Vallabh Vidyanagar: Department of Gujarati, Sardar Patel University. pp. 772–775. hdl:10603/98131.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Baradi, Hasmukh (2004). "Yashashchandra, Sitanshu (1941– ): Gujarati poet and dramatist.". In Lal, Ananda (ed.). Oxford Companion to Indian Theatre. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195644463.001.0001. ISBN 9780195644463 – via Oxford Reference. (subscription required)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "World Poetry Fest Participants". Sahitya Akademi. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  11. ↑ Topiwala, Chandrakant (2001). Indian Poetry: Modernism and After : a Seminar. Sahitya Akademi. p. 93. ISBN 9788126010929.
  12. ↑ Emmanuel Sampath Nelson, Nalini Natarajan (1996). Handbook of Twentieth-century Literatures of India. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 121–122. ISBN 9780313287787.
  13. ↑ "Ashwatthama : Aaje Pan Jive Chhe (Ane Hanay Chhe) by Sitanshu Yashaschandra | Book Pratha". www.bookpratha.com. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  14. ↑ Sitanshu Yashaschandra on IMDb
  15. ↑ Acharya, Abhimanyu (31 December 2024). "Critical Discourse in Gujarati". South Asian History and Culture: 1–3. doi:10.1080/19472498.2024.2447196. ISSN 1947-2498.
  16. ↑ "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2013)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs.
  17. ↑ "Corea~ Khare given Padma awards". New Delhi: Mid Day. 29 March 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "President presents second set of civil investiture Awards for 2006". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 29 March 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  19. ↑ PTI (27 April 2018). "Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashaschandras "Vakhar" chosen for Saraswati Samman". India Today. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  20. ↑ "Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashaschandra presented Saraswati Samman for 2017". Hindustan Times. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.

External links[edit | edit source]

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