Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar born 23 September 1908 and died on 24 April 1974, known by his pen name Dinkar, was an Indian Hindi and Maithili language poet, essayist, freedom fighter, patriot and academic. He emerged as a poet of rebellion as a consequence of his nationalist poetry written in the days before Indian independence. His poetry exuded Veer Rasa, and he has been hailed as a Rashtrakavi (‘national poet’) on account of his inspiring patriotic compositions. He was a regular poet of Hindi Kavi Sammelan and is hailed to be as popular and connected to poetry lovers for Hindi speakers as Pushkin for Russians.
Some of his popular works are –
As a student, Dinkar had to battle day to day issues, some related to their family’s economic circumstances. When he was a student of Mokama High School, it was not possible for him to stay on till school closed at four p.m.as he had to leave the class after the lunch break to catch the steamer back home. He could not afford to be in the hostel which would have enabled him to attend all periods. How could a student who had no shoes on his feet manage the hostel fees? His poetry later showed the impact of poverty. This was the environment in which Dinkar grew up and became a nationalist poet of radical views. In 1920, Dinkar saw Mahatma Gandhi for the first time. About this time, he founded Manoranjan Library at Simariya. He also edited a handwritten pamphlet.
Krishna ki Chetavani is the most celebrated and citated poem from one of his famous books ‘Rashmirathi’.
Sanskriti ke Char Adhyaya Edit
In his Sanskriti ke Chaar Adhyaya, he said that despite various cultures, languages and topography, India stands united, because “however different we may be, our thoughts are one and the same”.
Dinkar’s Poetry
Dinkar’s first published work of poetry was Vijay Sandesh (1928). His other works are:
Pranbhang (1929)
Renuka (1935)
Hunkar (epic poem) (1938)
Rasavanti (1939)
Dvandvageet (1940)
Kurukshetra (1946)
Dhoop Chhah (1946)
Saamdheni (1947)
Baapu (1947)
Itihas ke Aansoo (1951)
Dhup aur Dhuan (1951)
Mirch ka Mazaa (1951)
Rashmirathi (1952)
Dilli (1954)
Neem ke Patte (1954)
Suraj ka Byaah (1955)
Neel Kusum (1954)
Samar Shesh Hai (1954)
Chakravaal (1956)
Kavishri (1957)
Seepee aur Shankh (1957)
Naye Subhaashit (1957)
Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’
Urvashi (1961)
Parashuram ki Pratiksha (1963)
Koylaa aur Kavitva (1964)
Mritti Tilak (1964)
Atmaa ki Ankhe (1964)
Haare ko Harinaam (1970)
Bhagvaan Ke Daakiye (1970)
Dinkar’s Anthologies
Lokpriya Kavi Dinkar (1960)
Dinkar ki Suktiyan (1964)
Dinkar ke Geet (1973)
Sanchayita (1973)
Rashmilok (1974)
Urvashi tatha anya shringarik kavitayen (1974)
Amrit Manthan, Lokbharti Prakashan, New Delhi, 2008.
Bhagn Vina, Lokbharti Prakashan, New Delhi, 2008.
Sapnon ka Dhuan, Lokbharti Prakashan, New Delhi, 2008.
Samanantar, Lokbharti Prakashan, New Delhi, 2008.
Rashmimala, Lokbharti Prakashan, New Delhi, 2008.
Dinkar’s major analytical and other prose works are:
Mitti ki Or (1946)
Chittaur ka Saakaa (1948)
Ardhanaarishwar (1952)
Reti ki Phool (1954)
Hamaari Saanskritik Ekta (1954)
Bhaarat ki Saanskritik Kahaani (1955)
Raashtrabhaasha aur Raashtriya Ekta (1955)
Ujli Aag (1956)
Sanskriti ke Chaar Adhyaay (1956)
Kaavya ki Bhumikaa (1958)
Pant, Prasad aur Maithilisharan (1958)
Venu Van (1958)
Dharma, Naitikataa aur Vigyan (1959)
Vat-Peepal (1961)
Lokdev Nehru (1965)
Shuddh Kavitaa ki Khoj (1966)
Saahityamukhi (1968)
He Ram! (1968)
Samsmaran aur Shraddhaanjaliyan (1970)
Meri Yatrayen (1971)
Bhaaratiya Ekta (1971)
Dinkar ki Daayri (1973)
Chetana ki Shilaa (1973)
Vivah ki Musibaten (1973)
Aadhunik Bodh (1973)
Dinkar was also awarded with many notable awards like Sahitya Akademi and Padma Bhushan Award in 1959, and Bharatiya Jnanpith Award in 1972.
Dinkar will always remain a jewel in Indian literature. To know more about Ramdhari Singh Dinkar log on to Shabd.in today.