“Never live like a flower, for you shall be shattered as soon as you bloom; live like a stone if you so wish, for one day you shall turn into a god”, was a quote given by one of the stalwarts of Hindi literature, Harivansh Rai Bachchan.
Harivanshrai Bachchan’s writings are considered as the landmark of Hindi literature. His matchless penmanship manages to evoke an enchanting feeling even years after his death. Let us dive into some of the best works that earned him the title of ‘literary maestro’:
Madhushala - Madiralaya jane ko ghar se Chalta hai peene wala Kis path se jaun? Asmanjas mein hai who bhola-bhala Alag-alag path batlate sab, Par main ya batlata hun- Raah pakad tu ek chala chal, Paa jayega madhushala
Ruke Na Tu - Dhanush utha, prahaar kar Tu sabse pehli vaar kar Agni si dhadak-dhadak Hiran si sajag-sajag Singh si dahaad kar Shankh se pukar kar Ruke na tu, thake na tu Jhuke na tu, thame na tu
Vishwa Sara So Raha Hai - Hain vicharte swaon sunder, Kintu inka sang tajkar, Vyom-vyaapi shoonyata ka Kaun saathi ho raha hai? Vishwa saara so raha hai
Kya Karun Samvedna Lekar Tumhari - Mein dukhi jab jab hua, samvedna tumne dikhai Mein kritagya hua hua hamesha, Reet dono ne nibhai Kintu is aabhar ka ho chuka ka ab, Ho chuka bhoj bhaari, Kya karun Samvedna Lekar tumhari Kya karun
In 1966, Harivansh Rai Bachchan was nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha. The following year, Bachchan was awarded the ‘Sahitya Akademi Award’ for his poetry “Do Chattanen“.
In 1961, Harivansh Rai Bachchan was bestowed with the highest civilian honour of Padma Bhushan by the government of India.