Eminent Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashaschandras poetry collection "Vakhar" has been chosen for the Saraswati Samman for 2017.
- The selection for the award is made by a high level Chayan Parishad (selection committee), presided over by former secretary general of Lok Sabha, Subhash C Kashyap.
About Sitanshu Yashaschandras
- Sitanshu was born in 1941 in Bhuj, Gujarat.
- Yashaschandra has three poetry collections — Odysseusnu Halesu, Jatayu, and Vakhar — to his credit.
- He has penned 10 plays and three books on critical analysis.
- He is also a recipient of the Padma Shri and the Sahitya Akademi Award.
- Vakhar, chosen for the Saraswati Samman was published in 2009.
Saraswati Samman
- Saraswati Samman is an annual award bestowed upon Indian citizen for his outstanding literary work written in any 22 Indian language mentioned in Schedule VIII of Constitution and published during last 10 years.
- The award has been named after Indian goddess of learning Saraswati.
- It is considered one of the highest literary awards in India. It was established in 1991 by the KK Birla Foundation.
- Harivansh Rai Bachchan was first recipient of this award for his autobiography published in four volumes.
