Pandit Makhanlal Chaturvedi (4 April 1889 – 30 January 1968) an Indian poet, writer, journalist, and freedom fighter.
He was a true disciple of Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi. His fiery patriotism and sacrifices were a lot like Tilak’s, and nonviolence, self-emptying, simplicity was like Gandhi’s.
Early Life
He was born on 4 April 1889, in Madhya Pradesh, India.
From 1906 to 1910, he was a school-teacher, but the freedom struggle for his motherland soon became his real calling. At that time, he was an active member of the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Quit India Movement. The British even imprisoned him a lot, but that didn’t break his spirit.
In 1955, he earned an honorary doctorate in literature from Sagar University.
Career
In 1910, he started editing nationalist journals like Prabha, Pratap and Karmaveer. He had a great patriotic fervor and a way of stirring people up with his speeches and writings. A Hindi sahitya sahmelan he presided over at Hardar in 1943. He instilled hope and anticipation in people with his ‘true Indian spirit.’ In works like ‘Him Kirtini’, ‘Him Tarangini’, ‘Kaisa Chhand Banaa Deti Hei’, ‘Amar Rashtra’ and ‘Pushp ki Abhilaasa’, he depicts the plight of the common man.
After India became independent, he didn’t seek a government job, instead speaking out against social evils and supporting exploitation-free, equitable societies as Mahatma Gandhi envisaged.
Literary career
His best-known works are Him Kirtini, Him Tarangini, Yug Charan, and Sahitya Devata, and his best poems are Venu Lo Gunje Dhara, Deep Se Deep Jale, Kaisa Chhand Banaa Deti Hai, and Pushp ki Abhilaashaa.
Award
In 1955, he won his first Sahitya Akademi Award for His work Him Tarangini. In 1963, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award of India.
Legacy
As a tribute to him, the Madhya Pradesh Cultural Council hosts the Mahakanlal Chaturvedi Samaroh and awards the Mahakanlal Chaturvedi Puraskar, honoring an Indian poet whose poetry is of excellence.
Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita Vishwavidyalaya was named in his honor in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
He gained national recognition not just for the strength of his pen and the excellence of his literary work, but also for his undaunted participation in India’s freedom struggle.
Death
He died on 30 January 1968, in Madhya Pradesh, India.
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