Ramdhari Singh Dinkar was a prominent writer, poet and essayist. He is established as the best heroic poet of modern times. He studied history, philosophy and political science from Patna University. He studied Sanskrit, Bengali, English and Urdu in depth.
Dinkar was established as a rebel poet before independence and became known as Rashtrakavi after independence. His poetry exuded ‘Veer Rasa.’ He was the first-generation poet of shadowy era. On the one hand, his poems call for rebellion, resentment and revolution, and on the other hand there are expressions of soft decorative emotions. He was a regular poet of Hindi Kavi Sammelan and is hailed to be as popular and connected to poetry lovers of Hindi speakers as Pushkin for Russians. He was mostly known by his pen name Dinkar.
Biography of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
| Name | Ramdhari Singh Dinkar[1] |
| Pen Name | Dinkar |
| Date of Birth | September 24, 1908 |
| Place of Birth | Simaria village, Begusarai, Bihar |
| Father’s Name | Ravi Singh |
| Mother’s Name | Manroop Devi |
| Occupation | Poet, Author |
| Death | 24 April 1974, Madras, Chennai |
| Award | 1. Sahitya Akademi Award 2. Padma Bhushan 3. Jnanpith Award |
Early Life of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar was born on September 24, 1908 in Simaria village of Begusarai district of Bihar. His father’s name is ‘Ravi Singh’ and his mother’s name is ‘Manroop Devi’. Dinkar was two years old when his father died. As a result, Dinkar and his siblings were brought up by his mother. Dinkar’s childhood was spent in rural areas. Dinkar was known as a poet associated with patriotism. Dinkar’s father was a common farmer.
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Education of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
As a student, his favourite subjects were history, politics and philosophy. At school and later in college, he studied Hindi, Sanskrit, Maithili, Bengali, Urdu and English literature. Dinkarji got his primary education from the ‘primary school’ of the village and enrolled in the ‘National Middle School’. He was educated in high school from Mokama High School. As a result, 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 4 p.m. as he had to leave the class after the lunch break to catch the steamer back home. 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.
Dinkar was greatly influenced by Rabindranath Tagore, Keats and Milton and translated works of Rabindranath Tagore from Bengali to Hindi. Dinkar received BA in history in 1932 from Patna University. He studied Sanskrit, Bengali, English and Urdu in depth.
After completing B.A from Patna University. He was appointed as a ‘headmaster’ in a school the following year. But in 1934, he assumed the post of ‘Deputy Registrar’ under the Bihar government.
Achievement of Dinkar
After passing B.A. exam, he became a teacher in a school. From 1934 to 1947 he served as deputy registrar and deputy director of the publicity department in the service of the Bihar government. He was transferred 22 times in 4 years. When India’s first parliament was formed in 1952, he was elected a member of Rajya Sabha and moved to Delhi. Dinkar was a Member of Parliament for 12 years, later appointed vice chancellor of Bhagalpur University from 1964 to 1965. But the following year, the Government of India appointed him as its Hindi advisor from 1965 to 1971 and he returned to Delhi.
Literary work of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
He wrote poems against social and economic equality and exploitation. As a progressive and humanitarian poet, he gave historical characters and events a glimpse of powerful and clear words. Apart from Urvashi, most of the work of Kavi Dinkar is filled with heroic juices. Dinkar’s poems were published under the pseudonym “Amitabh”. He is considered to be the best poet of Veer Rasa. He was honoured with the Jnanpith Award for his composition “Urvashi.
The main poems of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
Vijay Sandesh (1928), Pran-Bhang (1930), Reenuka (1935), Birbala, Meghnad-Vadh, Hunkar (1938), Rasvanti (1939), Bapu (1947), Delhi (1954), Neem Ke Patte (1954), Neel Kusum (1954), Urvashi (1961) etc.
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s major prose works
Mitti Ki Or (1946), Chittaur ka Saakaa (1948), Ardhanaarishwar (1952), Reti Ki Phool (1954), Hamari Sanskritik Ekta (1954),Bhaarat ki Saanskritik Kahaani (1955), Ujli Aag (1956), Venu Van (1958), Vat Peepal (1961), He Ram (1968) etc.
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s place in Hindi literature
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s contribution to the world of revolution of Hindi poetry is one of the greatest poets of modern times, he will always be remembered.
He has a special place especially among poets who create national consciousness and awakening. Poet Dinkar is known as a skilled poet in Hindi literature. Dinkar was the protector of Indian culture, revolutionary thinker, immortal poet representing his era.
Awards and Honours
Dinkar received the honour from Kashi Nagri Pracharini Sabha, Uttar Pradesh Government and and also an award from government of India for his work Kurukshetra. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1959 for his work ‘Sanskriti Ke Char Adhyay.’ The first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, presented him the Padma Vibhushan Award in 1959. He was awarded the LLD degree by Bhagalpur University.
In 1968, the Rajasthan Vidyapeeth awarded him the Sahitya-Chudaman Award. In 1972, he received the Jnanpith Award for his poetry Urvashi. In 1952, he was elected to Rajya Sabha and was a member of Rajya Sabha thrice in a row.
On September 30, 1987, on his 13th death anniversary, the then President Zail Singh paid tribute to him. In 1999, the Government of India issued a stamp in his memory. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi released Ramdhari Singh Dinkar – personality a work book on the occasion of his birth centenary. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled a huge statue of him on the occasion of his birth centenary.
Death
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar died on April 24, 1974 at the age of 65 in Begusarai in Bihar.
FAQ
1. When and where was Ramdhari Singh Dinkar born?
Ans: Ramdhari Singh Dinkar was born on September 23, 1908 in Simaria village, Bihar.
2. When did Ramdhari Singh Dinkar was awarded Jnanpith Award?
Ans: In 1972, Dinkar was awarded the Jnanpith Award for his work “Urvashi”.
3. What was the name of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s parents?
Ans: Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s father’s name was Babu Ravi Singh and his mother’s name was Manroop Devi.
4. Ramdhari Singh Dinkar was a poet of which era?
Ans: Ramdhari Singh Dinkar was a modern era poet.
5. When and where did Ramdhari Singh Dinkar died?
Ans: Ramdhari Singh Dinkar died on April 24, 1974 at the age of 65 in Begusarai, Bihar.
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