Makhanlal Chaturvedi

Makhanlal Chaturvedi Biography

Makhanlal Chaturvedi was an Indian writer and journalist. His participation in India's national struggle for independence and his contribution to Chhayavaad branch of Hindi literature are remembered most. He was a well known poet and playwright also. He was awarded the first Sahitya Akademi Award in Hindi for his work Him Taringini in 1955. His noted works are Him Kirtini, Him Tarangini, Yug Charan and Sahitya Devata. His most noted poems are Dip Se Dip Jale, Kaisa Chhand Banaa Deti hai and Pushp ki Abhilaashaa. 'Makhanlal Chaturvedi Samaroh is organized by Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi every year, since 1987. 'Makhanlal Chaturvedi Puraskar' in poetry is also given to an Indian writer for excellence in writing. He was honoured by Padmabhushan though he returned it back against Rajbhasha Bill.

Makhanlal was born on April 4, 1889 in Babai Village, Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh. At the age of 16, he became school teacher. He resigned from his post as a teacher in 1912 to join Indian freedom struggle movement. Later he became the editor of nationalistic journals Prabha and Karmaveer. But very often the magazines were incarcerated by British Government. Post Indian independence, he decided to continue writing and express his ideas through words instead of taking a job. His words truly reflected patriotism and hence his works are grouped under Chhayavaad - the Neo-romanticism movement of Hindi literature. His works truly reflected his unconditional love towards mother country and he was also referred to as "a true Indian spirit".

He was regarded as one of the eminent thinkers of that period. He was honoured with honorary doctorate by Sagar University in 1959. The Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita (National University of Journalism) at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh was established in the year 1991 in honour of this great writer and journalist.

Published: N/A

Updated: January 24, 2014