2018-11-27 Tue

Poetry touches us all in different and profound ways. It is indeed an elegant and graceful expression showing imagination and deep emotions. Through the artistic creativity of the poet, you can learn a lot about yourself and the world around!

India has been a fortune to be the birthplace of some of the legendary poet. One of them is a legendary Harivansh Rai Bachchan, whose poetries will always give us the wisdom we need in our lives.

One of the most influential figures of the Hindi literature, Harivansh Rai Bachchan was born on 27th November 1907. He was the pioneer participant of the Chhayavaad or Romantic upsurge literary movement.

Born in a simple family of Uttar Pradesh, he received primary education in Urdu Pathshala. Later on, he completed PhD from Cambridge University in English Literature. He was the second Indian who achieved this honour.

He also worked on promoting Hindi as the official language of India. As a part of his work he indulged in translating some of the major works into Hindi like Macbeth, Othello, Bhagavad Gita, the works of W.B Yeats and the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

Harivansh Rai Bachchan is best remembered for his 142 verse lyrical poem "Madhushala" which became the first step of his fame as the foremost Hindi poet of India. The poem became a craze and was even performed on stage.

In 1969 he received the Sahitya Akademi Award. Later on, in 1976 the Government of India bestowed on him the Padma Bhushan in recognition for his contribution to Hindi literature.

He is no more but his poetry remains in the heart of millions of people still today. India Post has released a commemorative postal stamp depicting late Harivansh Rai Bachchan to honour his contribution.

Image Source: Mintage World