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Ashok Chavda

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Ashok Chavda

Pen Names: Bedil（Pen name used in his poetry and literary work）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1978-08-23 （Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India）
Nationality
India
Languages
Gujarati
Residence History
Bhavnagar, Gujarat (birthplace) → Ahmedabad (education and career)

Career

Occupations
Poet, Writer, Critic, Translator, Researcher, Assistant Registrar (university staff)
Active Years
1995-
Affiliations
Gujarat Technological University (Assistant Registrar), Gujarat Ayurveda University (served as information officer and assistant registrar), Sahitya Akademi (Advisory board for Gujarati language), Gujarat Dalit Sahitya Pratishthan (Executive committee)
Memberships
Gujarat Lekhak Mandal (Directional Committee), Gujarat Dalit Sahitya Pratishthan (Executive Committee), Sahitya Akademi (Advisory board for Gujarati language)
Influenced By
Nalin Pandya, Barin Mehta, Pravin Pandya, Labhshankar Thakar

Education

C.U. Shah Commerce College (Ahmedabad)
Accounting
Degree: Bachelor of Commerce
Period: 1995-1998
Year of Graduation: 1998
Country: India
H. K. Arts College (Ahmedabad)
English Literature
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Period: 1998-2001
Year of Graduation: 2001
Country: India
Gujarat University
Communication and Journalism
Degree: Master of Development Communication (MDC)
Period: 2001-2003
Year of Graduation: 2003
Country: India
Research title: 'Gujarati Dalit Kavitano Udabhav Ane Vikas: 1975-85' (Growth and Development of Gujarati Dalit Poetry: 1975–85)
Gujarat University
Journalism and Mass Communication
Degree: Ph.D.
Period: 2003-2011
Year of Graduation: 2011
Country: India
Doctoral thesis: 'Gujarati Dalit Samayik Patrakaratva Ni Vikasyatra' (Growth and Development of Gujarati Dalit Periodicals). Doctoral advisor: Chandrakant Mehta
K.P. Shah Law College (Jamnagar)
Law
Degree: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
Period: 2012-2014
Year of Graduation: 2014
Country: India
Gujarat Vidyapith
Gandhian Thought and Social Science
Degree: Master's degree
Period: 2015-2016
Year of Graduation: 2016
Country: India

Awards

Yuva Puraskar
2013
Work: Dalkhi Thi Saav Chhutan
Organization: Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Yuva Gaurav Puraskar
2012
Organization: Gujarat Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Dasi Jivan Award
2014
Organization: Government of Gujarat
Result: 受賞
Vishesh Sanman
2014
Organization: South Gujarat Professor's Association
Result: 受賞
Best Book Prize (Humorous / Poetry)
2012
Work: Pityo Ashko and Pagrav Talaavma
Organization: Gujarat Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Ravji Patel Yuva Pratibha Award
2017
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Pagla Talaavma

2003 Ghazal

His first ghazal collection, showcasing youthful sensibility and experimental approaches to ghazal form.

LoveUrban alienationLyricism

Pagrav Talaavma

2012 Ghazal

A later ghazal collection that received critical acclaim from notable Gujarati critics.

Tradition and experimentationSocial commentary

Dalkhi Thi Saav Chhutan

2012 Post-modern poetry

A collection incorporating post-modern elements, linguistic play and social critique; awarded the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar.

Social changeLinguistic experimentationIndividual and public spheres

Pityo Ashko

2012 Humorous poetry

A collection of humorous poems written during his college years; received recognition from regional media and critics.

HumorSatire

Tu Kahu Ke Tame

2012 Lyrical poetry

A collection of lyrical poems emphasizing emotional expression and musicality.

LoveInner life

Shabdoday

2012 Criticism / Essays

A collection of 25 critical essays and seven book reviews; praised by critics such as Dhiru Parikh.

Literary criticismContemporary poetics

Ghazalistan

2012 Translation (Urdu ghazals)

An anthology translating Urdu ghazals by Indian and Pakistani poets into Gujarati.

TranslationLoveTraditional poetic forms

Aa Prachin Vadya

2020 Translation (from Malayalam to Gujarati)

Gujarati translation of 'This Ancient Lyre' by Malayalam poet O. N. V. Kurup.

TranslationComparative literature
Translations
  • Translation of O. N. V. Kurup's 'This Ancient Lyre'

Bibliography

  • Pagla Talaavma (2003)
  • Pagrav Talaavma (2012)
  • Dalkhi Thi Saav Chhutan (2012)
  • Pityo Ashko (2012)
  • Tu Kahu Ke Tame (2012)
  • Shabdoday (2012)
  • Ghazalistan (2012)
  • Aa Prachin Vadya (translation, 2020)

Adaptations

  • Wrote lyrics for the Gujarati film 'Paghadi'

Translations by Author

  • Aa Prachin Vadya - Gujarati translation of O. N. V. Kurup's 'This Ancient Lyre' (2020)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Post-modern experimentationLyrical style with attention to meterUse of humor and satire
Recurring Motifs
Urban alienationDalit-related social issuesLove and personal emotionsInterest in language and linguistic play

Legacy

Considered an important young voice in Gujarati poetry, combining post-modern experimentation with social commitment. Recognized regionally through critical acclaim and awards, and noted for balancing academic/administrative work with literary activity.

Academic Societies

  • Gujarat Sahitya Akademi
  • Gujarat Lekhak Mandal

In Popular Culture

  • Appearances on All India Radio and Doordarshan
  • Wrote lyrics for the Gujarati film 'Paghadi'
  • Invited to the Writers Residence Program at Rashtrapati Bhavan (2017)

Quotes

  • "There is a clear combination of linguistic art and simplified meter in lyrics and poetry of Ashok Chavda... In his words 'Mane Bahu Kaljipoorvak Nagarni Bahar Rakhyo Chhe' (I was carefully kept away from the city), the poet presents piercing pragmatism through his creations."
    Source: Rajendra Patel, 'Contemporary Gujarati Poetry' (2015) (2015)

Trivia

  • Pen name is 'Bedil'.
  • Invited to the Writers Residence Program at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2017.
  • Married Madhu in 2004; has a daughter (Maitree) and a son (Harshil) (citation needed).
  • Known for Gujarati ghazals and humorous poetry.
  • Has appeared on All India Radio and Doordarshan.