Chandra Livia Candiani was born in Milano in 1952. She lives in Milano with her cat Zhivago. She translates Buddhist texts into Italian. Her latest books are Sogni del fiume (La biblioteca di Vivarium, 2OO1), Io con vestito leggero (Campanotto, 2005), La nave di nebbia. Ninnananne per il mondo. (La biblioteca di Vivarium 2005), La porta (La biblioteca di Vivarium, 2006), Bevendo il tè con i morti ( Viennepierre, 2007), which won the Baghetta-Prize. For several years she has collaborated con musicians to present poetry off the printed page in performances and verse-sound dialogues in libraries, social centres, private homes and other welcoming venues. She also leads poetry seminars for children in primary schools.
In 2001 she won the Montale-Prize for unpublished poetry.