Amritlal Nagar

Amritlal Nagar Biography

Amritlal Nagar was a prominent Hindi writer and journalist from Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Often cited as the true literary heir of Premchand, he was one of the prominent figures of Hindi literature during 20^th century. He was most popular as a novelist. Mahakaal, Boond Aur Samudra, Shatranj ke Mohre, Suhag ke Noopur, Amrit Aur Vish, Peedhiyaan, Saat Ghunghat Wala Mukhda, Ekda Naimishshaaranye, Maanas Ka Hans, Naachayo Bahut Gopal, Khanjan Nayan, Bikhre Tinke, Agni Garbha and Karwat are his published novels.

He worked as a drama producer in All India Radio between December 1953 and May 1956 and has worked in film industry for 7 years. Nagar pursued freelance writing in Lucknow from 1948 until his death in 1990. He has also published satire works as well as plays and memorials. He has also contributed in the form of children stories and short stories and has translated and edited a few works as well.

Nagar was born on 17 August 1916 in Chaurahe Wali Gali, Gokulpura in Agra to Rajaram Nagar and Vidyawati Nagar. He published his first poem in a fortnightly Anand in December 1928. He married Savitri Devi in 1932, whose name was later changed as Pratibha. The couple had 4 children. He worked as a dispatch clerk in the Lucknow office of All India United Insurance Company for a brief period and later moved to journalism. He has worked in editorial office of Madhuri in 1939. Nagar wrote screen plays and dialogues for the film industry during 1940’s.

In 1953, he joined Akashvani, Lucknow and worked as drama producer for 3 years. But he quit the job to fully concentrate in writings. Amrit Aur Vish received the Sahitya Akademi Award (1967) and the Soviet Land Nehru Award (1970). He received Padma Bhushan in 1981.

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Updated: February 20, 2014