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Introduction:
Harivansh Rai Bachchan (born on 27 November 1907) was an Indian poet and writer of early 20th-century Hindi literature. He was also a poet of the Hindi Kavi Sammelan. He was the Father of Amitabh Bachchan and grandfather of Abhishek Bachchan.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan has a collection of around 30 poems. His writings Trans-versed various themes such as man’s need for freedom, love and dependence, and religion. He received the Padma Bhushan for his service to Hindi literature in the year.
Who is Harivansh Rai Bachchan?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was an Indian poet and Indian writer of the Nayi Kavita literary movement of early 20th-century Hindi literature. He is considered as one of the greatest poets ever in India. He is popularly known for his early work “Madhushala”. He was also the husband of social activist, Teji Bachchan, and father of Amitabh Bachchan, also was the grandfather of Abhishek Bachchan.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan Wiki:
| Real Name | Harivansh Rai Srivastava |
| Profession | Poet |
| Date Of Birth | 27 November 1907 |
| Birth Year | 1907 |
| Sexuality | Male |
| Age | 95 Years (2023) |
| Death | 18 January 2003 |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Birthplace | Babupatti, Pratapgarh, India |
| Hometown | Babupatti, Pratapgarh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Atheist |
| School | Kayastha Paathshaala, Uttar Pradesh |
| College/University | Allahabad University, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh Catharine’s College, Cambridge, England |
| Educational Qualification | Ph.D. from St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, England |
| Hobbies | Reading, Writing Poetry |
| Marital Status | Married |
Harivansh Rai Bachchan Biography:
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was born on 27 November 1907 in the village of Babupatti near Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. He was born into an Awadhi Hindu Kayastha Family to Pratap Narayan Srivastava and Sara Swati Devi. He began using the pen name “Bachchan” in writing poetry instead of writing “Srivastava”.
In 1941, He taught in the English department at Allahabad University and after that, he went to St Catherine’s College, Cambridge, England to complete his PhD.
After receiving a degree from Cambridge University, England in English literature, he considered Hindi as the language of Indian life. He was the first Indian to achieve this achievement.
Harisvansh Rai Bachchan later on moved to Delhi to join the External Affairs ministry, He there joined as the Special officer in the Hindi cell. He served there for 10 years. During this time, he worked on promoting Hindi as the official language of India and translating some major works like Macbeth, Bhagavad Gita, Othello and many more.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan Age:
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was born on 27 November 1907 and died on 18 January 2003 at the age of 95 Years old.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan Family:
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was born into an Awadhi Kayastha Family in Babupatti, Allahabad, and Uttar Pradesh.
| Father Name | Pratap Narayan Srivastava |
| Mother Name | Sara Swati Devi |
| Brother Name | Not Known |
| Sister Name | Not Known |
Harivansh Rai Bachchan Education:
Harivansh Rai Bachchan started his education in a Municipality school in Uttar Pradesh, India and then simultaneously studied Urdu from Kayastha Paathshaala. After completing his primary education he went to Allahabad University in 1927 to complete his BA (Bachelor of Arts) and enrolled for an MA (Master of Arts).
While he was renowned as an Indian Hindi writer, people know about his proficiency in the English language. He was offered as a lecturer at the English Department of Allahabad University.
Later on, He went to St Catherine’s College, Cambridge University, England to pursue his Doctoral studies. In this course, he became the first Indian to receive this achievement.
| School | Kayastha Paathshaala, Uttar Pradesh |
| College/University | Allahabad University, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh Catharine’s College, Cambridge, England |
| Educational Qualification | Ph.D. from St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, England |
Harivansh Rai Bachchan Physical Appearance:
| Height | 5’8” inches |
| Weight | Not known |
| Body measurements | Not known |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | White |
Harivansh Rai Bachchan Career:
Harivansh Rai Bachchan is best remembered for his 142 verse lyrical poem “Madhushala” (The House of Wine), which was published in 1935. This work catapulted him as the foremost Hindi poet and was subsequently, translated into English and a number of Indian languages. The poem became a craze and was even performed on stage. “Madhushala” was a part of his poetic trilogy, the other two being Madhubaala and Madhukalash.
It is on this trilogy that his fame rests. In 1969, he published the first of his four part autobiography ‘Kya bhooloon kya yaad karoon’. The second part ‘Need ka nirmaan fir’ was published in 1970, the third ‘Basere se door’ in 1977 and the last part ‘Dashdwaar se sopaan tak’ in 1985. The series was well received and an abridged English translation by Rupert Snell, ‘In the Afternoon of Time’, was published in 1998. It is now considered to be a landmark in Hindi literature.
Throughout his teaching career and while working in the External Affairs ministry and later, Bachchan published about 30 poetry collections as well as other works in Hindi like essays, travelogues and a few songs for the Hindi film industry. He also read his poems to large audiences. His last poem ‘Ek November 1984’ based on Indira Gandhi’s assassination was written in November 1984.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan Personal Life:
Harivansh Rai Bachchan first married Shyama Bachchan in year 1926 when he was just 19 years old and her wife was 14 years old at that time. She passed away due to succumbing to TB.
After the demise of his first wife “Shyama Bachchan” in 1936. He married Teji Suri in 1942. His marriage to Teji changed the course of his life and his poetry. His literary career thrived.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan fathered two renowned sons Amitabh Bachchan and Ajitabh Bachchan. Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan developed a close friendship with Indira Gandhi and blended into the social intellectual circles of Delhi. Both husband and wife throughout their career, sought to promote Hindi as the National and official language of India.
| Marital Status | Married |
| Children | Sons- Amitabh Bachchan, Ajitabh Bachchan Daughter- Not known Grandson- Abhishek Bachchan Granddaughter- Shweta Bachchan Nanda Daughter-in-law- Aishwarya Rai |
| Wife/Spouse | First Wife- Shyama Bachchan Second Wife- Teji Bachchan |
Harivansh Rai Bachchan On Social Media:
| Not Known | |
| Not Known | |
| https://twitter.com/Kavi_ni_dairy |
Harivansh Rai Bachchan Death:
At the age of 95, in 2003, Harivansh Rai Bachchan breathed his last. He was suffering from respiratory ailments. Four years later his wife passed away at the age of 93.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan Net Worth:
Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s net worth or net income is estimated to be 4-5 Million. He has made such an amount of wealth from his primary career as a Poet. His son Amitabh Bachchan net worth is 3274 Crore ($410 Million) .
Harivansh Rai Bachchan Photos:
Interesting Facts about Harivansh Rai Bachchan:
- He was born into a Kayastha Family.
- He was the eldest son of Pratap Narayan Shirivastav and Sara Swati Devi.
- He followed his family tradition of attending Kayastha Paathshaalas.
- His parents used to call him “Bachchan” at home.
- He taught in the English Department at Allahabad University.
- After his teaching, he moved to St Catherine’s College, Cambridge University, England to pursue his doctorate.
- Harivansh Rai Bachchan was the first Indian to get his Doctorate from Cambridge.
- He had also served at All India Radio (AIR) in Allahabad.
- The external affairs ministry appointed him as an officer on Special Duty in Delhi. He served there for around 10 years.
- He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1966.
- He has been associated with the evolution of Hindi as the official language.
FAQs about Harivansh Rai Bachchan:
Who is Harivansh Rai Bachchan?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was an Indian poet, and famous writer Nayi Kavita literary movement in 20th century Hindi literature. He is also the father of famous Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan.
Is Harisvansh Rai Bachchan the father of Amitabh Bachchan?
Yes, Harivansh Rai Bachchan is the father of Amitabh Bachchan (Indian Actor).
Where was Harivansh Rai Bachchan born?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was born in Babupatti, Pratapgarh, India.
When was Harivansh Rai Bachchan born?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was born on 27 November 1907.
What is the Zodiac/birth sign of Harivansh Rai Bachchan?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan is born under the birth sign of Sagittarius whose symbol is a bow and an arrow.
What was the age of Harivansh Rai Bachchan?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was born on 27 November 1907 and died on 18 January 2003 at the age of 95 years.
When did Harivansh Rai Bachchan Die?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan died on 18 January 2003 due to respiratory problems.
What is the Nationality of Harivansh Rai Bachchan?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan is an Indian by nationality.
Who was the wife of Harivansh Rai Bachchan?
Teji Bachchan was the wife of Harivansh Rai Bachchan before her, he married Shyama Bachchan who died due to tuberculosis.
What is special about Harivansh Rai Bachchan?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan (né Srivastava; 27 November 1907 – 18 January 2003) was an Indian poet and writer of the Nayi Kavita literary movement (romantic upsurge) of early 20th century Hindi literature. He was also a poet of the Hindi Kavi Sammelan. He is best known for his early work Madhushala.
Conclusion:
Here we see all about Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s life. Harivansh Rai’s early life was nothing short of tragedy. His circumstances were riddled with untimely familial deaths and political unrest. While his difficult situation was not entirely conducive for his career to grow, he made the best out of his condition.
Thus Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s life is a classic example of how it is possible to rise, regardless of difficult the situation might be. In Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s case, “If things go as per your plan, then good. But if they don’t, then even better”.
