Pandit Narendra Sharma was a famous poet, writer, lyricist, and editor of Hindi. He did his MA in English literature from Allahabad University. He was a mentor to the serial ‘Mahabharata’. Narendra Sharma was awarded the Padma Bhushan. He composed many classic songs like Bole Nandlala, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, and Yashomati Maya. He wrote the theme song for the Asian Games in 1982. His 17 collections of poems, a story collection, a biography, and several works have been published in the magazine. He also received a Filmfare Award for the title song Satyam Shivam Sundaram, nominated for Best Lyricist
Biography of Narendra Sharma
| Name | Narendra Sharma[1] |
| Date of Birth | February 28, 1913 |
| Place of Birth | Jahangirpur |
| Spouse | Mrs. Sushila |
| Occupation | Poet, Writer, Editor |
| Death | February 11, 1989, Mumbai |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan |
Early Life and Education of Narendra Sharma
Pandit Narendra Sharma was born on February 28, 1913, in Jahangirpur village in District Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh in the National Capital Region. His father died when he was a child. In 1936, he received his M.A. in English literature from Allahabad University. His literary guru was Bhagwati Charan Verma.
He published the Abyudhay newspaper in 1934. He was a Hindi officer of The All-India Congress Committee at Swarajya Bhawan and then wrote songs in Bombay Talkies. He wrote songs in films, was also associated with All India Radio, and wrote independently. His first Hindi film was Hamari Baat (1943). He was a founder of Vividh Bharati Seva (All India Radio).
Lata Mangeshkar the singer used to address him as her father while she was addressed as his daughter. In a documentary on Lata Mangeshkar produced and directed by Nasreen Munni Kabir for Britain’s Channel 4 the singer has confessed that she learned a lot from Panditji and could negotiate many difficulties of life based on his advice.
Also Read: Biography of Nagarjuna
Career of Narendra Sharma
Writing literature from an early age, Sharma started his editorial journey at the age of 21 with the weekly “Avudaya” founded by the late Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. He joined editing the Abyudhay newspaper in 1934. While serving as a professor of Hindi and English poetry at Kashi Vidyapeeth, he was arrested by the British government in 1940 for anti-administration activities and till his release in 1943, he was under house arrest in various jails in Varanasi, Agra, and Deoli. After his release from prison, he wrote songs in many films and then joined All India Radio in 1953. 17 collections of his poems, a story collection, a biography, and many works have been published in the magazine. He was a mentor to the serial ‘Mahabharata’. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan. He composed many classic songs like Bole Nandlala, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, and Jyoti Kalash Sale from Yashomati Maya. He wrote the theme song of the Asian Games in 1982.
He is best known for composing the title track of Raj Kapoor’s Satyam Shivam Sundaram. His Philosophical songs carry a message about beauty, truth, and their divinity. He was nominated for the first Filmfare Award for his popularity and complexity in the song.
Sharma wrote for over a hundred films and worked with almost all the lead music directors and singers. He was also the conceptual advisor to the popular TV series Mahabharata for which he also wrote songs. This was his last task, and on 13 February 1989, four months after the show went on air, he died at the age of 76.
Literary Life
Pandit Sharma’s first poem ‘Chand’ was published in 1931. Soon the conscious, studious, and enthusiastic poet Narendra made his mark among the budding new poets. In popularity, he could have contested only with Harivansh Rai Bachchan. His first story was published in Prayag’s ‘Dainik Bharat’ in 1933. In 1934 he also wrote a review of Maithili Sharan Gupt’s poetic work ‘Yashodhara’. He also penned the popular bhajan-Jyoti Kalash Chhalke, Bhabhi ki Chudiyan, Kahani Kehete Kehete, Paniharin, Rathwan, and Swagatham some of the popular poems written by Sharma.
Narendra Sharma’s love for the country
Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement, teenager Narendra Sharma once reached the police post and challenged it. Sharma was awakened with a sense of fearlessness and patriotism. He was detained in 1942 for participating in the ‘Quit India’ movement and was lodged in Deoli camp. In prison – In life, inspired by the tenderness and beauty of nature, he composed a story song ‘Kamini’.
Most of the poems in the collection “Mitti and Phool” were written during his prison life. Sharma was teaching at Kashi Vidyapeeth when he went to jail.
Composituions of Narendra Sharma
Poems
Kahani Kehte Kehte, Paniharin, Rathwan, Swagatham, Mitti aur Phool, Geet Sangraha etc.
Poetry Articles
Manokamnin, Dropadhi, Adhunik Kavi, Lal Nishan etc.
Filmography
Prem Rog, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Phir Bhi, Bhabhi ki Chudiyan, Radha Krishna, Aandhiyan, Malti Madhav, Afsar, Matwala Shair, Jwar Bhata etc.
Death
Pandit Narendra Sharma died of a heart attack in Mumbai, Maharashtra on February 11, 1989.
FAQ
1. When and where was Narendra Sharma born?
Ans: Pandit Narendra Sharma was born on February 28, 1913, in Jahangirpur, Uttar Pradesh.
2. In what subject did Narendra Sharma obtain his M.A., degree?
Ans: M.A. in English literature.
3. How many poetry collections has Narendra Sharma written?
Ans: Sharma has written a total of 17 collections of poems.
4. When did Narendra Sharma die?
Ans: Pandit Narendra Sharma died of a heart attack in Mumbai, Maharashtra on February 11, 1989.
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