Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh

Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh Biography

Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh was one of the prominent writers of Hindi literature in the 20^th century. He was a prolific writer, poet, essayist, literary and political critic and one of the leading names of fiction writers in the modern times. One of the pioneers of modern poetry in India, his name is taken after the great Surya Kant Tripathi 'Nirala', known for Experimentalism in the field of literary works. His complete works were published in 1980, as Muktibodh Rachnavali, which includes 6 volumes. Noted Marathi poet, novelist, Marxist critic and Sahitya Academy Winner - Sharadchandra Madhav Muktibodh was his younger brother. His first individual book was published in 1964, when he was on his death-bed, though he has contributed earlier in the form of translations and other works.

He was born on 13 November 1917 in Sheopur district, Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh. His father Madhav Rao Muktibodh was a sub inspector. After schooling at different places, he completed graduation from University of Agra in 1938. Then he worked as a school teacher in different places like Badnagar and Ujjain and passed MA in 1953 in Hindi from Nagpur University. He was so much bonded to his literary works that he never sustained in a job anywhere. He also worked as editor for magazines.

Many of his poetry works were published in the different volumes of ‘Tar Saptak’ in the 1940s. His works led to the initiation of Prayogvaad in Hindi poetry. His first individual book was published only in 1964, when he was bedridden. His poems were very long. He is best known for his long poems: Brahma-rakshasa, Chand ka Muh Teda hai, Andhere Mein, and Bhuri Bhuri Khak Dhul. When his first landmark poetry collection ‘Chand ka Muh Teda hai’ published, he died! He died at a very young age of 46. Kath Ka Sapna (Anthology of Short stories), Satah Se Uthta Admi (Anthology of Short stories), Nayi Kavita ka Atmasangharsh tatha anya Nibandha (Essays), Ek Sahityik ki Dairy (Essays), Naye sahitya ka saundarya-shastra (1971) and Kamayani: Ek punarvichar were his published books.

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Updated: December 11, 2015