The Government of India has posthumously conferred the Padma Shri 2025 on Shri Chandrakant Sheth, a towering figure in Gujarati literature and education, recognizing his lifelong contributions as a poet, critic, translator, and academician.
Shri Chandrakant Sheth was a prolific writer whose works deeply influenced modern Gujarati literature. With a literary career spanning more than five decades, he authored over 50 books, including poetry collections, essays, translations, and critical studies. His unique blend of wit, lyrical depth, and cultural insight made his writing accessible and enriching to a broad readership.
He was also a dedicated educator, having served in senior academic positions at the Gujarat University, where he mentored generations of students and scholars. His profound knowledge of Sanskrit, English, and Indian philosophy enabled him to create impactful translations and comparative literary studies, bridging classical and contemporary literary traditions.
Shri Sheth’s contributions were not limited to creative writing. As a critic and essayist, his analysis of literature, society, and language shaped the discourse in Gujarati intellectual circles. His work earned him numerous accolades during his lifetime, including awards from the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi and other literary institutions.
Though he passed away in 2023, his legacy lives on through his vast body of work and the impact he left on literary scholarship and cultural education in Gujarat.
The Padma Shri stands as a fitting tribute to Shri Chandrakant Sheth’s enduring influence and his role in nurturing and preserving the rich literary heritage of Gujarat.
