Introduction
Udayan Thakkar (Gujarati: ઉદયન ઠક્કર) is a Gujarati language poet, writer and translator from Mumbai, India. His first anthology of poem is Ekavan (1987) which won him Jayant Pathak Poetry Prize. Sellara (2003), his second anthology, was awarded by Ushnas Prize (2002–03). His other significant works includes Jugalbandhi (1995) and Udayan Thakker Na Chuntela Kavyo (2012; Selected poems of Udayan Thakker). He has also given significant contribution to the Gujarati children's literature. He is an editor of online poetry portal Poetry India.
Early life
Thakker was born on 28 October 1955 in Mumbai, India to Karsandas and Shantiben. His grandfather was a native of Kutch. He completed his SSC from The New Era School, Mumbai. He completed his Bachelor of Commerce from Sydenham College.
He married Rajul in 1984 and they have two daughters, namely Richa and Garima.
Career
He is a Chartered accountant and Cost accountant by qualification.
He started to write poems during his primary education. It was 1974, when his poem came out for first time in Kavita, a bimonthly poetry journal of Gujarati language. Subsequently, his poems got published in many eminent Gujarati literary magazines including Shabdasrishti, Kavilok, Etad, Samipe, Gazalvishwa and Navneet Samarpan.
Works
Ekavan, his first anthology of poems, was published in 1987, followed by Sellara (2003) and Udayan Thakker Na Chuntela Kavyo (2012). His poems have been translated into Japanese and English language and been published as a book. His works in children's literature includes En Milake Ten Milake Chhoo, Tak Dhina Dhin and Haak Chhi Hippo.
Recognition
His poetry collection Ekavan (1987) was awarded by Jayant Pathak Poetry Award of 1987-88 and also prescribed as a textbook by SNDT Women's University. He won Ushnas Prize (2002–03) for his book Sellara (2003). He is also a recipient of Harindra Dave Memorial Award and Best Book Prize of 2003 instituted by Gujarat Sahitya Akadami.