Nagarjun

Nagarjun Biography

Nagarjun was a major poet of Hindi and Maithili languages who was fondly called, Jankavi. He has contributed to literature in the forms of novels, short stories, literary biographies and travelogues. His noted poetry works include - Khichri Viplava Dekha Humne, Akhir Aisa Kya Kah Diya Maine, Yugdharao, Satrange Pankhon Wali, Is Gubare Ki Chhaya Mein, Mein Military Ka Boodha Ghoda and Ratnagarbha. His famous novels are Paro and Asman Mein Chanda Tare, Ugratara, Baba Bateshar Nath, Himalaya ki betiya, Rati Nath Ki Chachi and Imaratia. He received Sahitya Akademi Award in 1969 for his historic book Patarheen Nagna Gachh and in 1994, honored by the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.

His popular poems are Badal ko Ghirate Dekha hai, Mantra Kavita, Paine daanto wali and Aao Rani Ham Dhoenge Palaki. Many of his literary pieces carry sarcastic humour, best instances being Aao Rani Ham Dhoenge Palaki and Hathhal. He was widely accepted as the most popular poet after Tulsidas whose followers range from rural people to most urban elite people. He chose subjects freely and they vary from one work to another, created in different moods.

Nagarjun was born Vaidya Nath Mishra in Bihar on June 30, 1911. He later converted to Buddhism and got the name Nagarjun. He lost his mother at the age of 3. He got good support from relatives and as he was a brilliant student, he got many educational scholarships also. He became proficient in Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit languages and was earning too, while studies. He married Aparajita Devi and the couple had six children.

He started his literary career during early 1930’s with Maithili poems using the pen-name of Yatri. He was attracted to Buddhist scriptures and in 1935 he converted to Buddhism and took the name ‘Nagarjun’. He was a wanderer and spend his 30’s and 40’s traveling through different parts of India. He also participated in many mass-awakening movements before and after independence. Once he was jailed by British too. After independence, he was active in journalism and has also participated in Jaya Prakash Narayan's movement resulting in imprisonment for a short period. He was strongly influenced by Leninist-Marxist ideology also.

Published: N/A

Updated: January 23, 2014