Harivansh Rai Bachchan was an Indian poet. His son Amitabh Bachchan is a veteran Bollywood actor. His poem ‘Himmat Karne Walon Ki Kabhi Haar Nahi Hoti’ is recognized as one of the most famous poems of Hindi literature.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was an Indian poet. He was born on 27 November 1909 in Pratapgarh, Agra, British India. He died on 18 January 2003 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He did his schooling from Kayasth School, Uttar Pradesh. He attended Allahabad University, UP, Banaras Hindu University, UP, and Cambridge University, England.
His father’s name was Pratap Narayan Srivastav, and his mother’s name was Saraswati Devi. He was married to Teji Rai Srivastav. Their eldest son Amitabh Bachchan is a veteran Bollywood actor, and the youngest son Ajitabh Bachchan is a businessman.
Interesting facts about Harivansh Rai Bachchan
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was the eldest son of Pratap Narayan Srivastav and Saraswati Devi.
His real name was Harivansh Rai Srivastav. His parents had given him a nickname Bachchan, which he later used as a pen name for his writings.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was inspired by the freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi.
Working at All India Radio
He worked as a professor at Allahabad University in the English Department for two years. He also worked at All India Radio for a brief period.
He did his PhD from St Catherine College, Cambridge University, England.
In the year 1926, he got married with Shyama. His first wife died of TB in 1936.
He tied the knot with Teji Bachchan in 1941. Their first son Amitabh Bachchan is a renowned Bollywood actor.
Translating Shakespeare
Harivansh Rai Bachchan is credited with his translated works of Shakespeare’s plays ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Othello.’
He was nominated as a Rajya Sabha member in the year 1966.
He was a close friend of famous Indian poets Sumitranandan Pant and Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan is best known for his anthology ‘Madhushala.’ The musical version of the poem Madhushala was sung by Manna Dey.
Many of his poems have been featured in Hindi films including ‘Agneepath,’ and ‘Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara.’
Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s famous works
Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s critically acclaimed literary works are Need Ka Nirman Phir (1970), Nisha Nimantran (1938), Kya Bhooloon Kya Yaad Karoon (1969), Dashdwaar Se Sopaan Tak (1977), Jala Sameta (1973), and many more.
His poem ‘Himmat Karne Walon Ki Kabhi Haar Nahi Hoti’ is recognized as one of the most famous poems of Hindi literature.
Amitabh Bachchan’s popular song ‘Rang Barse’ from the Hindi film ‘Silsila’ was written by Harivansh Rai Bachchan.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s legacy
In the year 1968, he won the Sahitya Akademi Award.
In 1976, the Government of India awarded him with the Padma Bhushan award.
He was honoured with the Saraswati Award for his four-volume autobiography ‘Kya Bhooloon Kya Yaad Karoon,’ ‘Need Ka Nirman Phir,’ ‘Basere Se Door,’ and ‘Dashdwar Se Sopan Tak.’
On 18 January 2003, Harivansh Rai Bachchan died at his residence in Mumbai. He was cremated at the Ruia Park Crematorium in Juhu.
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