Amarkant was a well-known Indian writer in Hindi literature. Amarkant’s first novel was called ‘Sukha Patta’. His novel “Inhin Hathiyaron Se” earned him Sahitya Akademi Award in 2007. He also received Vyas Samman and Jnanpith Award in 2009. Despite the popularity of his work, he fought against poverty, and his final novels were considered his best.
Amarkant’s literary career is known for his short stories, though he also wrote six novels. With many considering his short stories as milestones in post-independence Indian literature, Amarkant’s new story was a part of the movement, Who overtook the tradition of love. The focus of this new movement was on urban environment, personal characteristics and male-female relations.
Biography of Amarkant
| Name | Amarkant[1] |
| Original Name | Sriram Verma, Amarnath |
| Date of Birth | 1 July 1925 |
| Place of Birth | Ballia, Uttar Pradesh |
| Father’s Name | Sriram Verma, Amarnath |
| Mother’s Name | Ananti Devi |
| Spouse | Girija Devi |
| Died | 17 February 2014 |
Early Life of Amarkant
Amarkant was born on July 1,1925 in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh. Amarkantji’s original name was Sriram Verma. He was named Amarkant by a saint. Since Sriram was another writer in literature, he changed his name to Amarkant. Yet he was famous as Sriram Verma. Despite Amarkantji’s writings in various genres of Hindi, he became particularly famous as a storyteller in Hindi fiction literature. Amarkant’s name was named among realistic writers after Premchand.
Also Read : Biography of Dharamvir Bharati
Personal life of Amarkant
Amarkanthji’s father Shri Sitaram Verma was a lawyer by profession. He was a good scholar of Urdu and Persian. He also had some knowledge of Hindi language. His life was very happy. He also loved exercise and wrestling, so he excelled in wrestling at home. Shri Sitaram Vermaji was also very fond of music. Without practicing music, he had good knowledge of music and Maratha. His father also had a special interest in acting, So once in a year he have played the role of hero in a historical drama.
Amarkantji’s mother’s name was Mrs. Ananthi Devi. She was a normal woman and a house wife. His mother died when he was child. Thus, Amarkant was deprived of his mother’s love at a very young age. He was the eldest of his seven siblings. Amarkant got married in 1946. His wife’s name was Mrs. Girija Devi. Amarkant had a total of three children, two sons and a daughter. Their sons were Arunbardhan and Arvind Bindu and their daughter’s name was Sandhya.
Education and Writing of Amarkant
Sriram Verma i.e. Amarkant’s early education started after coming to Ballia. He had a lot of knowledge about literature.
Swami Sahja Nanda Kisan movement in the districts adjoining Ballia during independence also had a huge impact on him. In high school he read the “The moon” magazine which impressed him a lot. Then, he started playing an active role in the freedom movement. After completing high school, he also studied The Russian books. For intermediate studies, he first enrolled at St. Andrew’s College in Gorakhpur and later at Yung Christian College in Allahabad, but due to active participation in the Quit India Movement, he dropped out of his studies in between. Later, he completed his intermediate studies from Satish Chandra College in Ballia. Then in 1948 he completed his graduation from Allahabad University. After completing his studies, he decided to become a journalist and he came to Agra with his uncle and pursued a career in journalist with local Hindi newspapers. This is where his writing life began. He served first in the Sainik department and then in the editing department of Amrut Patrika, Dainik Bharat, Manorama etc.
Working Life of Amarkant
Amarkant was a well-known writer of Hindi literature. His novel Inhin Hathiyaron Se won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2007. His short stories are added to various university courses. He won the Jnanpith Award in 2009.
Amarkant’s short stories are compared to Premchand’s stories. His creation has attracted millions of hearts, and his legacy is alive. In the 90s, Amarkant has been fighting poverty and disease stalking cancer and other diseases. He has sold many of his original manuscripts and was actively writing before his death.
Amarkant’s short stories are a collection of stories that show the dark side of urban life. Among other things, short stories are incredibly entertaining and include some powerful messages on urban cruelty.
Amarkant was only thirteen years old when the Quit India Movement began, yet he participated in the Quit India Movement. Then his actions affected thousands of people. His most popular works are his short stories, but he also wrote six novels. His stories are considered milestones in post-independence novels. Amarkant started his writing career at the top of the Nai Kahaani (New Story) movement, which influenced Premchand’s tradition. Amarkant focused on urban environment, male-female relationships and character traits. Amarkant’s novel is a shining example of his ability to combine realistic portrayals of Indian life with socially relevant stories.
Literary works of Amarkant
Amarkant is best known for his short stories although he also published six novels. His short stories, such as Deputy Collectory, Dopahar Ka Bhojan (The lunch), Zindagi aur Jonk (Life and the Leech) and Hatyaare (The Assassins), are considered milestones in post-independence fiction.
Amarkant was one of the few writers who stuck to the ‘social realistic’ traditions of Premchand. Literary critics like Dr. Vishwanath Tripathi consider his short stories to be lineage of Premchand’s later works, particularly his masterpiece Qafan (The Shroud), which is a compactly created tale of a Dalit family. The portrayal of Siddheshwari Devi in Dopahar ka Bhojan, Babu Sakaldip Singh in Deputy Collectory and Rajua in Zindagi aur Jonk are interacted and remarkable. Some of his works are as follows:
Story Collection
‘Zindagi aur Jonk’, ‘Desh ke Log’, ‘Mout ka Nagar’, ‘Kuhasa’, ‘Toofan’, ‘Kala Premi’, ‘Aurat ka Krodh’, ‘Ladka – Ladki’, ‘Dopahar ka Bhojan’ etc.
Children’s Literature
‘Sugi Chachi ka Gaon’, ‘Khuta mein Dal Hein’, ‘Jhugrulal ka Faisla’, ‘Ek Stri ka Safar’, ‘Babu ka Faisla’, ‘Do Himmati Bacche’ etc.
Novel
‘Sukha Patta’, ‘Kale-Ujle Din’, ‘Gram Sevika’, ‘Beech ki Deewar’, ‘Akash Pakchi’, ‘Vida ki Raat’, ‘Lahare’ etc.
Language Style
His language style is in perfect harmony with that of a successful storyteller. We can see the characteristics of social satire in his language style. The final effect is sympathetic. Amarkant’s stories are rock solid and concrete. ‘Zindagi aur Jonk’ is his famous story, bringing the tradition of telling real stories to a new level.
Similarly, in languages full of their words, Urdu language is used extensively with indigenous terminology. The use of folklore stupidity in poetic prose has made the storyteller’s language even more effective. Resorting to narrative styles as well as mental and explanatory qualities. His language style was quite interesting and alarming.
Awards and Achievements
1. In 2007, Amarkanth was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel ‘Inhin Hathiyaron Se’. This novel is written against the backdrop of the Quit India Movement.
2. He was awarded the Jnanpith Award, the country’s highest literary honour, in 2009.
3. He was awarded the Vyas Samman award in 2009.
4. Amarkanth was conferred with The Soviet Nehru Award, Uttar Pradesh Hindi Institute Award, Maithilisharan Gupta Award, Yashpal Award, Jan Sanskriti Samman, ‘Amarkant Kirti’ Award in Madhya Pradesh.
5. In 1948, he started his journey in journalism by working in the editorial department of Agra daily newspaper ‘Sainik’.
6. After working in several letter magazines he retired from the Manorama editorial department.
Death
Writer Amkant died on 17 February 2014
FAQ
1. What is the original name of writer Amarkant?
Ans: The original name of writer Amarkant is Sriram Verma.
2. When and where was Amarkant born?
Ans: On July 1, 1925, writer Amarkant was born in a village in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh.
3. What is the name of Amarkant’s father and mother?
Ans: Amarkant’s fathers and mothers name are – Sitaram Verma and Ananthi Devi.
4. What is the name of Amarkant’s wife?
Ans: Amarkant’s wife’s name is Girija Devi.
5. When did Amarkant died?
Ans: Amarkant died on 17 February 2014.
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