Phanishwar Nath Renu

Phanishwar Nath Renu Biography

Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’ is one of the most influential writers of modern Hindi literature in the post-Premchand era. He is the author of Maila Anchal, which is regarded as the second best novel of Hindi literature after Premchand's Godaan. He promoted the voice of the contemporary rural India and brought regional voices into the mainstream Hindi literature. His short story Maare Gaye Gulfam, alter became the movie on big screen, Teesri Kasam, central roles played by Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rahman. He wrote the dialogues of Teesri Kasam also. Renu was a close friend of his contemporary writer, Sachchidananda Hirananda Vatsyayana. For his contributions to Indian literature, he was awarded with Padma Shree in 1970.

'Renu' was born on 4 March 1921 in Bihar. His primary education was held in Araria and Forbesganj. His matriculation was done at Biratnagar Adarsh Vidyalaya, Nepal. In 1942, he joined Indian freedom struggle movement. He also participated in Nepali revolutionary movement in 1950. He published his first novel in 1954 - Maila Anchal. This work is still regarded as the masterpiece of this great writer. The novel portrayed the rural life of Bihar. His other published novels include - Paltu Babu Road, Parti Parikatha, Kitne Chaurahe, Juloos & Janaja and Deerghtapa.

He has also published a few memorials and Reportages. His noted memorials are Rindjal Dhanjal, Shrut Ashrut Purva, Totapur and Van Tulsi ki gandh. Pahli kranti katha, Shruth Asruth purve, HrinJal- Dhanjal, Nepali Kranti Katha and Van tulsi ki gandh are his noted reportages. He has figured Katihar railway station in most of his literal works. Apart from being a good writer, he is also known as an active political activist. ‘Maila Anchal’, with the absence of a structural plot is always regarded as a trendsetter in novel writing, post Premchand era.

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Updated: January 22, 2014