Dhirubhai Thaker, Gujarati writer and scholar
Gujarati writer and scholar

Dhirubhai Thaker

Born 27 June 1918 · Gujarat — Died 22 January 2014

Created the 25-volume Gujarati Vishwakosh, a comprehensive encyclopaedia of the Gujarati language.

Dhirubhai Premshankar Thaker was an Indian Gujarati writer, who was best known for creating the Gujarati Vishwakosh, a 25-volume encyclopaedia of the Gujarati language.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Dhirubhai Thaker mobilized 1700 experts to compile the Gujarati Vishwakosh, assembling 25,000 pages and 23,000 entries — a feat rarely matched in regional Indian languages.

The Story

1
In 1956, Dhirubhai Thaker earned his PhD from Gujarat College with a thesis on Manilal Dwivedi, reflecting deep scholarly engagement in Gujarati literature.
2
🌟 Between 1985 and 1999, he orchestrated the creation of the Gujarati Vishwakosh, a massive 25-volume encyclopaedia containing 23,000 entries and spanning 25,000 pages, coordinating 1700 subject experts.
3His biographical play 'Uncho Parvat, Undi Khin' (1993) about Manilal Dwivedi won an award from the Batubhai Umarvadia Centre for best play, highlighting his ability to blend literary criticism and drama.
4From 1999 to 2001, he led the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad as president, influencing literary policies and nurturing Gujarati literary culture.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1938, while still a student, Thaker won the M. M. Paramanand Prize from Mumbai University for his research on 19th-century religious movements in Western India, showing early scholarly promise.

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Through the Years

3 photographs from the archives
Dhirubhai Thaker at the inauguration ceremony of the 22nd volume of Gujarati Vishwakosh (2007)
Dhirubhai Thaker at the inauguration ceremony of the 22nd volume of Gujarati Vishwakosh (2007)
2007
Dhirubhai Thaker at the inauguration of the new edition of Gujarati Vishwakosh Vol. 5 (2008)
Dhirubhai Thaker portrait as a noted Gujarati writer (2015)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Kodinar, Gujarat
Dhirubhai Premshankar Thaker was born on 27 June 1918 in Kodinar, later part of Gir Somnath District, Gujarat, to a Talati father who loved literature.
1918
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Education
Matriculated from L.S. High School
Completed matriculation with Sanskrit and Science at L.S. High School, Siddhapur, marking the foundation for his literary and scholarly pursuits.
1934
📚
Education
BA from Elphinstone College
Graduated with honors in Gujarati and Sanskrit from Elphinstone College, Mumbai, cementing his focus on Gujarati literature.
1939
📚
Education
Earned PhD on Manilal Dwivedi
Received doctoral degree from Gujarat College for thesis 'Manilal Nabhubhai: Sahitya Sadhana', an in-depth study of Manilal Dwivedi's life and works.
1956
📖
Publication
Published biographical play
His play 'Uncho Parvat, Undi Khin' on Manilal Dwivedi won a prize from Batubhai Umarvadia Centre, blending biography and drama.
1993
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Career
Became president of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad
Led the foremost Gujarati literary organization from 1999 to 2001, influencing Gujarati literary culture and scholarship.
1999
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Publication
Translated Pablo Neruda's Memoirs
Published Gujarati translation of Pablo Neruda’s memoirs, titled 'Satyani Mukhomukha', introducing global literature to Gujarati readers.
2010
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Death
Passed away in Ahmedabad
Died on 22 January 2014 at Ahmedabad, leaving behind a vast scholarly legacy in Gujarati literature.
2014
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

His biographical play 'Uncho Parvat, Undi Khin' (1993) won a prize from the Batubhai Umarvadia Centre, highlighting the rare blend of literary criticism and drama in his work.

02 / 04
💡SURPRISING

Thaker translated Pablo Neruda's memoirs into Gujarati in 2010, bridging Latin American literature and Gujarati readers decades after Neruda's original publication.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

He served as a professor at Gujarat College until 1960, then spent the rest of his academic career at Modasa College, retiring from there, showing a strong commitment to regional education.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Dhirubhai Thaker's creation of the Gujarati Vishwakosh established a comprehensive reference that preserved and standardized Gujarati knowledge across disciplines, still used by scholars and students. His leadership in Gujarati Sahitya Parishad helped institutionalize literary scholarship in Gujarat. The annual Dhirubhai Thakar Savyasachi Saraswat Award continues to honor excellence in Gujarati literature, perpetuating his influence.

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