D K Soman is a leading and eminent almanac and Astronomy scholar born 21st May 1942 in Konkan region of Maharashtra and is currently based in Thane. He has been preparing Almanac calendars for the last five decades and has been associated with “Sainirnay Almanac Calendar” from its initiation.
80 years of age but still follows his routine of waking up at 4:30 am and working on the almanac. Whenever there is a difference of opinion in regards to any decision of a festival and celebration date or time among the almanac scholars, his opinion is sought on that matter.
D.K Soman passed out from V.J.T.I College with a degree in textile and joined Mafatlal Mills and worked there for 25 long years and finally, at the age of 50, he opted for voluntary retirement to propagate the study astronomy and work on the almanac. To date, he has delivered more than 7000 lectures on the subject of Astronomy all over Maharashtra.
He always participates in shows and discussions on the subject of Science of Astronomy organized by Akashwaani Radio Station, Doordarshan TV channel, and other platforms to help build a scientific approach towards almanac and astronomy in the minds of people. His articles are a regular feature in Maharashtra Times, Loksatta, Saamna, Sakaal, Navakaal, Lokmat, and other newspapers of Maharashtra. He has written several books about our Indian Festivals, Stargazing, Solar and Lunar Eclipses, Comets, meteor showers, our Earth, the Solar system, and a book on the great Mathematician and Astronomer Bhaskaracharya.
In 1980 a solar eclipse was visible from India, he had made up his mind to deliver at least 100 lectures on the subject and he successfully delivered them. He also delivered 100 lectures on the subject of each ‘Comet Halley’ which was seen in 1986 and ‘Geetarahasya’ also.
He has visited the observatories of Europe and USA. He is the trailblazer of “Aakash Ganga” Centre for Astronomy situated at Matheran a hill station of Maharashtra and “Tarangan Aaplya Daari” at Yevur hills in Thane district an entertainment & learning center featuring shows about space & stargazing events similar to Nehru Planetarium.
D.K.Soman is a lecturer at the extramural department of Mumbai University, Chairman of the Marathi Vidnyaan Parishad, Thane, and Trustee at the Granth Sangrahalaya of Thane district.
D.K Soman is the recipient of several awards and honours. The first-ever ‘Thane Bhushan’ was awarded to him by the Thane Municipal Corporation followed by the ‘P.Sawlaram Lekhan Puraskar’ awarded by the same corporation. The ‘Thane Icon’ by Lokmat newspaper, ‘Excellence award for promoting science’ award by Marathi Vidnyan Parishad, and the ‘Vocational Award’ by the Rotary Club of Thane.
