Bharatendu Harishchandra

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Bharatendu Harishchandra

Born	September 9, 1850(1850-09-09) Varanasi India
Died	January 6, 1885 (aged 34) Varanasi, India
Occupation	Novelist, poet, playwright

Bharatendu Harishchandra (भारतेन्दु हरिश्चन्द्र) (September 9, 1850 – January 6, 1882) is known as the "Father of Modern Hindi Literature". He was one of the greatest Hindi writers of Modern India. A recognised poet, he was also a trend setter in Hindi prose-writing. As an author of several dramas^[1], life sketches and travel accounts, Bharatendu Harishchandra represents the agonies of the people, the unrest of the middle class and the urge for the progress of the country.

The following two rhyming couplets are taken from his famous poem, मातृ-भाषा के प्रति (For the Sake of Mother-Tongue or Towards Mother-Tongue). The poem has ten couplets in total. The poet asserts the importance of using mother tongue as a medium of instruction – conversational and educational.

निज भाषा उन्नति अहै, सब उन्नति को मूल ।
बिन निज भाषा-ज्ञान के, मिटत न हिय को सूल ।।

विविध कला शिक्षा अमित, ज्ञान अनेक प्रकार।
सब देसन से लै करहू, भाषा माहि प्रचार ।।

Translation:
Progress is made in one's own language (the mother tongue), as it the foundation of all progress.
Without the knowledge of the mother tongue, there is no cure for the pain of heart.

Many arts and education infinite, knowledge of various kinds.
Should be taken from all countries, but propagated in one mother tongue.

Biography

Born in Banaras, he devoted his life to the development of Hindi literature. In recognition of his services as a writer, patron and moderniser, the title of "Bharatendu" was conferred on him at a public meeting in Banaras in 1880.

Bharatendu Harishchandra was multi-faceted. He made major contributions in the field of journalism, drama, and poetry. The magazines Kavi Vachan Sudha, Harishchandra Patrika, Harishchandra Magazine and Bal Vodhini were edited by him.^[2] He wrote the widely mentioned history of the Agrawal community.

He was a member of the Chowdhury family of Varanasi belonging to the Agrawal community and his home there is still in use. He had one daughter.

Bharatendu Harishchandra Awards have been given by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting since 1983 to promote original writings in Hindi on journalism and mass communications.^[3]

References

^ Vasudha Dalmia, Poetics, Plays and Performances: The Politics of Modern Indian Theatre, New Delhi, Oxford University Press (2006) ISBN 0195674731
^ Dalmia, Vasudha (1997). The nationalization of Hindu traditions : Bharatendu Harischandra and nineteenth-century Banaras. Delhi; New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-563961-8.
^ Indian Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (2003-01-08). "Bharatendu Harishchandra Awards Presented". Press release.