Sitanshu Yashaschandra

Last updated

Sitanshu Yashaschandra
Writer Sitanshu Yashaschandra Mehta at Loktak lake.jpg
at Loktak Lake, December 2016
BornSitanshu Yashaschandra Mehta
(1941-08-19) 19 August 1941 (age 82)
Bhuj (now in Kutch, Gujarat, India)
Occupationpoet, literary critic, playwright, editor
Language Gujarati
Nationality Indian
Alma mater
Periodmodern Gujarati literature
Notable works Jatayu (1986)
Notable awards
Spouse
Anjaniben
​
(m. 1966)​
Signature
Sitanshu Yashaschandra signature.svg

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

Contents

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

He 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. 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]

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

Career

Building of Department of Gujarati, M. S. University Department of Gujarati at M S University.jpg
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

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. [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 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 . Ashvatthama and Grahan are his unpublished works. 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 . [13]

Awards

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 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
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. [14] [15] [16] 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. [17] 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". [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramakanta Rath</span> Indian poet from Odisha

Ramakanta Rath is one of the most renowned modernist poets in the Odia literature. Heavily influenced by the poets such as T. S. Eliot and Ezra Pound, Rath experimented greatly with form and style. The quest for the mystical, the riddles of life and death, the inner solitude of individual selves, and subservience to material needs and carnal desires are among this philosopher-poet's favorite themes. His poetry betrays a sense of pessimism along with counter-aesthetics, and he steadfastly refuses to put on the garb of a preacher of goodness and absolute beauty. His poetry is full of melancholy and laments the inevitability of death and the resultant feeling of futility. The poetic expressions found in his creations carry a distinct sign of symbolic annotations to spiritual and metaphysical contents of life. Often transcending beyond ordinary human capabilities, the poet reaches the higher territories of sharp intellectualism. The contents have varied from a modernist interpretation of ancient Sanskrit literature protagonist Radha in the poem "Sri Radha" to the ever-present and enthralling death-consciousness espoused in "Saptama Ritu".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulam Mohammed Sheikh</span> Indian artist

Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh is a painter, poet and art critic from Gujarat, India. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1983 and Padmabhushan in 2014 for his contribution in field of art.

The Saraswati Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in any of the 22 languages of India listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India. It is named after the Hindu goddess of knowledge, Saraswati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gunvant Shah</span>

Gunvant Shah is an essayist, educationist, columnist and philosophy writer and critic from Gujarat, India. He taught at various universities and participated in various education oriented events and organisations. His large number of essays, including philosophical essays, are published as books. He received Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak in 1997 and Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, in 2015. In 2019, he was awarded a D.Lit. by Gujarat University.

Manubhai Pancholi also known by his pen name Darshak, was a Gujarati language novelist, author, educationist and politician from Gujarat, India. He participated in the Indian independence movement and held several offices after independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bholabhai Patel</span> Indian Gujarati author

Bholabhai Patel was an Indian Gujarati author. He taught numerous languages at Gujarat University and did comparative studies of literature in different languages. He translated extensively and wrote essays and travelogues. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chandrakant Topiwala</span>

Chandrakant Amritlal Topiwala is a Gujarati language poet and critic from Gujarat, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhagwatikumar Sharma</span> Indian author and journalist

Bhagwatikumar Sharma was an Indian author and journalist who wrote in Gujarati. Born in Surat and educated in languages, he edited a daily for several years. He wrote novels, short stories, poetry, essays and criticism. He received Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak in 1984 and Sahitya Akademi Award in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayanti Dalal</span> Indian politician

Jayanti Ghelabhai Dalal was an Indian author, publisher, stage actor, director and politician. Born in family of theatre organiser and involved in politics during and after independence of India, he was influenced by socialism and Gandhian philosophy. He wrote one-act plays, short stories and edited publications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labhshankar Thakar</span> Gujarati writer

Labhshankar Jadavji Thakar, also known by his pen names Lagharo and Vaidya Punarvasu, was a Gujarati poet, playwright and story writer from India. Educated in languages and Ayurveda, he taught at colleges before starting practice of Ayurveda. He had a modernist approach in literature and was heavily influenced by absurd theatre and the traditions of experimental literature. He chiefly wrote plays and poetry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhiru Parikh</span> Gujarati poet and critic (1933–2021)

Dhiru Ishwarlal Parikh was an Indian Gujarati poet, short story writer and critic. He was an editor of Kavilok and Kumar, Gujarati literary magazines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashok Chavda</span> Gujarati poet and writer (born 1978)

Ashok Chavda, also known by his pen name Bedil, is a Gujarati poet, writer and critic from Gujarat, India. His anthology of poetry, Dalkhi Thi Saav Chhutan (2012), was awarded the Yuva Puraskar by the Sahitya Akademi in 2013. His collection of known writings include Pagla Talaavma (2003), Pagarav Talaavma (2012), Tu Kahu Ke Tame (2012), Pityo Ashko (2012), Shabdoday (2012), and Ghazalistan (2012), which is a translation of Urdu ghazals written by Indian and Pakistani poets. He is also a recipient of the Yuva Gaurav Award (2012) from the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi, and the Dasi Jivan Award (2013–14) from the Government of Gujarat. He has appeared in several TV and radio programs on All India Radio and Doordarshan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinod Joshi</span> Gujarati poet and writer from India

Vinod Joshi is an Indian poet, writer and literary critic in Gujarati language from Gujarat, India. His notable works include Parantu, a collection of Geet, Shikhandi, a long narrative poem based on Shikhandi, a character from the Mahābhārata, Radio Natak: Swarup ane Siddhant, Tundil-tundika, a form of padyavarta, a Gujarati medieval literary genre, and Zalar Vage Zoothadi, a collection of poems. He is the recipient of the Jayant Pathak Puraskar (1985), Critic's award (1986), Kavishwar Dalpatram Award (2013), Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar (2015), Narsinh Mehta Award (2018), Kalapi Award (2018), Darshak Sahitya Sanman Award (2021), Narmad Suvarna Chandrak (2022) and Sahitya Akademi Award (2023).

<i>Jatayu</i> (book)

Jatayu is a Gujarati poetry collection by Sitanshu Yashaschandra published in 1986. It is a collection of surrealistic poems based on Indian mythology, romantic temper, modern consciousness, and nature. It won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harikrishna Pathak</span>

Harikrishna Pathak is a Gujarati poet, short story writer, editor and children's writer from Gujarat, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manilal H. Patel</span> Indian poet, essayist, novelist and literary critic

Manilal Haridas Patel is a Gujarati poet, essayist, novelist, and literary critic from Gujarat, India. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the 2007 Dhanji Kanji Gandhi Suvarna Chandrak literary medal for his significant contributions to Gujarati literature.

Yashwant Trivedi was an Indian Gujarati poet, essayist and critic.

Ravindra Parekh is a Gujarati short story writer, novelist, playwright, poet, critic and translator from Gujarat, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahesh Champaklal</span>

Mahesh Champaklal is an Indian dramatist, stage actor and director from Gujarat, India. After working for some years in the commercial Gujarati theatre, he joined and taught dramatics at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vasdev Mohi</span> Sindhi poet, writer

Vasdev Mohi is a Sindhi poet, translator, critic, short story writer and a retired lecturer. He also served as the member of the executive board of Sahitya Akademi and member of Council for Promotion of Indian Languages, collectively from 2008 to 2013. His work include twenty-five books of poetry, uncertain translation and critic works. The recipient of numerous awards, including Saraswati Samman for his short story book titled Chequebook published in 2012, some of his uncertain critical essays have appeared in literary festivals held in national and international seminars.

References

  1. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 4 "Sitanshu Yashaschandra". Poetry International Rotterdam. 1 July 2008. 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. 1 2 "Trustees and Governing body". Adapt Org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Brahmabhatt, Prasad (2010). અર્વાચીન ગુજરાતી સાહિત્યનો ઈતિહાસ - આધુનિક અને અનુઆધુનિક યુગ (History of Modern Gujarati Literature – Modern and Postmodern Era) (in Gujarati). 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 Contex of His Poems and Plays] (Ph.D) (in Gujarati). Vallabh Vidyanagar: Department of Gujarati, Sardar Patel University. pp. 772–775. hdl:10603/98131.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 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. 1 2 "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. ↑ Sitanshu Yashaschandra at IMDb
  14. ↑ "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2013)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs.
  15. ↑ "Corea~ Khare given Padma awards". New Delhi: Mid Day. 29 March 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  16. ↑ "President presents second set of civil investiture Awards for 2006". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 29 March 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  17. ↑ PTI (27 April 2018). "Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashaschandras "Vakhar" chosen for Saraswati Samman". India Today. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  18. ↑ "Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashaschandra presented Saraswati Samman for 2017". Hindustan Times. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.