Mahadevi Verma, a prominent figure in Hindi literature, left an indelible mark as a poet, artist, and advocate. She was a pivotal figure in the Chhayavad movement, celebrated for her emotionally rich poetry delving into themes of nature and human emotions. As a staunch advocate for women’s education, she led a prestigious women’s college and tirelessly promoted women’s voices in literary realms. Verma’s exceptional contributions were recognized with several accolades, including the esteemed Jnanpith Award, solidifying her legacy as a legendary figure in Hindi literature.
Mahadevi Varma, born March 26, 1907, and passed away on September 11, 1987, was a renowned Indian Hindi-language poet, essayist, and sketch-tale writer. She is considered one of the leading figures in Hindi literature’s Chhayawadi era and has been compared to the Modern Meera. Poet Nirala praised her as “Saraswati in the vast temple of Hindi Literature.” Varma’s poetry and writings reflected her commitment to social upliftment, especially among women, and she gained acclaim for her novel “Deepshikha.”
She revolutionized Hindi poetry by introducing a delicate vocabulary, drawing inspiration from Sanskrit and Bangla. Varma was also a teacher, overseeing the Prayag Mahila Vidyapeeth, and led an ascetic lifestyle despite being married. Additionally, she was a talented painter and translator. She achieved the rare feat of winning every major award in Hindi literature and was celebrated as the most popular female literature of the last century.
Mahadevi Varma’s professional journey was a multifaceted fusion of education, literature, and women’s empowerment. Initially, she embarked on her career as an educator, making notable strides at the Prayag Mahila Vidyapeeth, where she eventually assumed the role of Principal. Her leadership in women’s education was groundbreaking and revolutionary for her era. Simultaneously, her literary endeavors thrived, solidifying her reputation as a formidable advocate for women’s education and a literary luminary who left an enduring legacy in Hindi literature.
Her first poetry collection, “Nihar,” was penned in 1930, followed by “Rashmi” in 1932 and “Neerja” in 1933. In 1935, she released “Sandhyageet,” a collection of poems, and in 1939, “Yama,” a compilation of four lyrical collections with accompanying artworks, was published. Additionally, she authored 18 novels and short stories, including notable works such as “Mera Parivar” (My Family), “Smriti ki Rekhaye” (Lines of Memory), “Patha ke Sathi” (Path’s Companions), “Srinkhala ke Kariye” (Series of Links), and “Atit ke Chalachrit” (Past Movies). She is also recognized as a pioneering feminist figure in India.
Mahadevi Varma’s work stretched beyond the realm of poetry, though it’s where she’s most celebrated. Here’s a breakdown of her literary contributions:
Mahadevi Varma excelled as both a poet and a notable prose writer. Below are some of her notable works. Additionally, selected verses from these compositions have been compiled into several additional poetic collections by Mahadevi Varma, which have also been published.
Year | Poetry |
1930 | Nihar |
1932 | Rashmi |
1933 | Neerja |
1935 | Sandhyageet |
1949 | Pratham Ayam |
1959 | Saptaparna |
1942 | Deepshikha |
1988 | Agni Rekha |
The following are some of the best prose works by Mahadevi Varma.
Year | Prose |
1961 | Ateet Ke Chalchitr |
1943 | Smriti ki Rekhaye |
1956 | Patha Ke Sathi |
1972 | Mera Parivar |
1943 | Sansmaran |
1949 | Sambhasan |
1942 | Shrinkhala ki Kadiyan |
1972 | Vivechamanak Gadya |
1956 | Skandha |
1973 | Himalaya |
Mahadevi Varma authored two poetry collections for children:
Mahadevi Verma’s brilliance was recognized throughout her career with prestigious awards. Here’s a timeline of her major honours:
Year | Award/Honour |
1956 | Padma Bhushan |
1979 | Sahitya Akademi Fellowship |
1982 | Jnanpith Award for her poetry collection Yama. |
1988 | Padma Vibhushan |
Mahadevi Verma was born on March 26, 1907, and she died on September 11, 1987. She was known for writing good poetry, was an educationist and a freedom fighter. She was a major poet of “ Chhayavaad”
Mahadevi Varma born on March 26, 1907, and passed away on September 11, 1987, was an Indian Hindi-language poet, essayist, sketch tale writer, and prominent figure in Hindi literature. She is regarded as one of the four major pillars of Hindi literature's Chhayawadi era.
In addition to her poetry, she wrote 18 novels and short stories, with notable works including Mera Parivar (My Family), Smriti ki Rekhaye (Lines of Memory), Patha ke Sathi (Path's Companions), Srinkhala ke Kariye (Series of Links), and Atit ke Chalachrit (Past Movies).
Varma is regarded as one of the founding poets of the Chhayavad, a romantic literary style in contemporary Hindi poetry. She was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1956, Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 1979, and Padma Vibhushan in 1988.
Varma was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest honours, in 1956. For her contributions to Indian literature, she received the Jnanpith Award in 1982. This article was most recently revised and updated by Alison Eldridge.
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