Biography of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar

(Born: 23 September 1908 - Died: 24 April 1974)

One of the forerunners of nationalist writing in Hindi was Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. He emerged as a rebellious poet with his poetics replete with patriotic fervour when India's struggle for Independence was at its peak, for which he was often referred as the National Poet of India.

He was born in 1908. When Chhayavedi (romantic) form of Hindi poetry was losing its foothold, Dinkar come up with a new idea, i.e. to say anything directly and clearly. Dinkar was well-known for his personal lyric. Nevertheless, his historical and nationalist compositions provided a new way to look into India's history and national movement. In 1961, he authored 'Urvashi’, which is different from his earlier poetry of social concern, as it reveals the earthly and sublime, and man-woman relationship transcending the physical.

In 1972, he was awarded the Jnanpith for 'Urvashi'. It is a landmark document involving introspection and philosophical delving into "Kamedhyatma', the metaphysics of desire. He died in 1974.