Born On: November 27, 1907,Born In: Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh Died On: January 18, 2003 Career: Poet Nationality: Indian "A body made of clay with a mind filled with playing, a single moment in time - that's me". This is the way one of the most renowned poets in Hindi poetry, Harivansh Rai Bachchan described himself. When listening to his poems you get a feeling of playfulness and life and
playfulness, two elements that became the hallmarks of his poems. In a period that lasted over a period of about 60 years and a half, he was the torchbearer for the Chhayavaad or Romantic upsurge in the field of literature but later on he became known for his famed daughter, Amitabh Bachchan, than his writing. There was the time when thousands and thousands of people would crowd in auditoriums and theaters to hear him read his poetry, with a specific beloved one being the iconic "Madushala". His poetry is renowned for its beautiful lyricism and rebellious style with images that are unhinged and sensual. This put him in a completely different category with his peers in the movement known as Chhayavaad. Harivansh Rai Bachchan became the embodiment of romantic rebel. Through his poetry, he concentrated on the common man's need to be free and the sexuality that is at the heart of this pursuit and made him a literary superstar loved by the general public.
Childhood
Harivansh Rai 'Bachchan' Srivastav was born in 1907 in the village of Babupatti close to Allahabad in the Kayastha clan with Pratap Narayana Shrivastav, Saraswati Devi. He was the eldest child of the couple. When he was a kid the nickname he received was "bachchan" due to his childish ways. The name stuck with him, eventually being one of the more well-known names.
Early Life
Harivansh Rai Bachchan started his education at a local school. At the at the same time that he began to learn Urdu through Kayasth Paathshaalas. In the following years, he completed his higher education at Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University. In 1941, he joined the English department at Allahabad University as a faculty and taught there until 1952. He later moved for Cambridge during the course of two years in order to complete his doctoral dissertation on W.B Yeats, occultism and W.B. being the first Indian to earn the Ph. D. in English Literature from this university. It was also at the same time period that he cut Srivastav in his surname and adopted Bachchan as his name of last resort. Then he returned to India and started teaching while, at the same time working for the Allahabad Station of All India Radio.
Later Life
Harivansh Rai Bachchan later moved in Delhi in 1955, to become a member of in the External Affairs Ministry as a Special Officer in the Hindi cell. He was responsible for translating government documents to Hindi. He was employed for a time of 10 years. He was also involved in promoting Hindi as the language that is used in official India and also translated certain major works into Hindi such as Macbeth, Othello, Bhagvad Gita, the work of W.B Yeats, and his Rubaiyat. Omar Khayyam.
Works
Harivansh Rai Bachchan is best recognized for his 142 verse poetic lyric poem "Madhushala" (The House of Wine) which was released in 1935. The poem made him the top Hindi poet, and later translated into English and several Indian languages. It became an instant hit and was performed on the stage. "Madhushala" was part of his poetry trilogy which included the two other poems Madhubaala as well as Madhukalash. It is in this trilogy that his renown is built. He wrote the first part of his autobiography in four parts "Kya Bhooloon Kya Aad Karaoon'. The second section 'Need Ka Nirmaan Fir' was released in the year 1970, followed by the third one 'Basere se Door in 1977 and the final part "Dashdwaar se Sopaan Tak" in 1985. The book was well-received and an abbreviated English version written by Rupert Snell, 'In the Afternoon Of Time' was released in 1998. The book is now widely regarded as a landmark for Hindi literature. Through his teaching career, as well as while working for the External Affairs ministry and later, Bachchan published about 30 poetry collections , as along with other works in Hindi such as essays, travelogues as well as a few songs to promote Bollywood's Hindi movie industry. The poet also read poetry before large audiences. The last poem of his "Ek November 1984" was based upon Indira Gandhi's assassination took place during November of 1984.
Awards And Recognition
In the year 1966, Harivansh Rai Bachchan was nominated for in the Rajya Sabha and in 1969 He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award. Seven years later, the Government of India bestowed on Harivansh Rai Bachchan with the Padma Bhushan in recognition for his contributions towards Hindi literature. In addition , he was presented with by the Sovietland Nehru Award, the Lotus Award of the Afro-Asian writers' conference and Saraswati Samman. It was the Uttar Pradesh government conferred him the "Yash Bharati" Samman in 1994. Postage stamps were released in 2003 in his honor.
Personal Life
Bachchan first got married in 1926. the couple was only 19 years old older and his bride, Shyama, was 14 years old. The year was 1936 when she died due to TB. A few years after, Bachchan married Teji Suri with whom he had two sons Amitabh as well as Ajitabh.
Death
At 95 years old, at the age of 95, Harivansh Rai Bachchan breathed his final. The actor was suffering from breathing issues. A few years later, he was suffering from respiratory problems.
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