Jaishankar Prasad (1890-1937) was an Indian poet, known as one of the four pillars of the Jayawad style of Hindi literature. His poems, stories, novels and plays were based on Indian historical figures and Indian mythological events. He is also considered to be one of the first poets to popularize the Khadi Boli dialect of Hindi.
Wiki/Biography
Jaishankar Prasad was born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India (then Benaras, United Provinces of British India). According to some sources, he was born on Thursday, January 30, 1890 (age 46; at the time of death), while according to another source, he was born on January 30, 1889 (at the age of 47; at the time of death). His zodiac sign is Aquarius. He studied Sanskrit and Hindi at home with Mohini Lal Gupta. His interest in writing was evident in his family and he wrote a poem for his teacher Rasmay Sidh when he was 9 years old. His father was a generous man who always helped the poor. His father died when he was 11 and his mother died when he was 15; however, his elder brother took over the responsibilities of the family and Jaishankar continued to learn different languages such as Braj, English, Urdu and Arabic as well as India’s past History and Vedas. He also briefly studied at Queen’s College, Varanasi (then Benaras) to Class VIII before starting work in the family business to take care of the family after his brother’s death when he was 17.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′10″
Hair color: black
Eye color: black
family
He was born in Madheshiya Teli Vaisya family.
Parents and siblings
His father’s name is Babu Devki Prasad Sahu and mother’s name is Munni Devi. His father was in the tobacco business and was known as Sunghani Sahu because of the tobacco his father dealt in. He has an elder brother named Shambhuratan Sahu.
wife and children
In 1908, he married Vindhvansani Devi, who died of tuberculosis. He subsequently married Sarasvati in 1917, who also died of tuberculosis in 1917. Later, he married Kamala Devi. They became parents to a boy named Ratan Shankar Prasad.
Profession
Poetry/Collection of Poems
He is considered to be one of the four pillars of Jayavad style Hindi literature. He wrote his first works in Braj under the pseudonym Kaladhar. However, he gradually switched to the Kadipoli dialect of Hindi and used Sanskrit words in his works, writing under the pseudonym Prasad. His writing style is considered to be simple, illustrative, decorative language and sentiments, leaning towards love, nature, human emotions, and representations of ancient Hindu traditions and history compared to today’s scenario. His poetry is widely credited with establishing the Kadipoli dialect of Hindi as the language of Hindi literature. His famous poems and collections include Himadri Tung Shring Se, Peshola Ki Pratidhvani, Sher Singh Ka Atmasamarpan, Gunda, Madhur Madhavi Sandhya Mein, Prem Pathik (1913), Jharna (Waterfall) 1918, Ansu (Tears) 1925, Lahar (Wave) 1933, Aatmkathya (Autobiography) and Kamayani (Epic about Manu and the Flood) 1936.
Drama/Theatre
He created a total of 13 dramas, including 8 historical dramas, 3 mythological dramas and 2 emotional dramas. The timeline and themes of his plays range from the Mahabharata to Harshavardhan and the national consciousness of Indian history. His plays include Skandagupta, based on Emperor Skandagupta, Chandragupta, based on Emperor Peacock Chandragupta, Dhruvaswamini, Rajyashri (Royal Bliss), Mahatma, based on Emperor Ajatasatra Ajasa, Jammejay Ka Nagar-Yagi based on King Jammejaya, Ik Gunte (A sip) and Kamna ). a wish).
story
His stories mostly depict Indian historical figures and Hindi stories containing Sanskrit words. His stories include Puruskar (Citation), Gulam (Slave), Pratatidhvani (Echo), Akashdeep (Inner Lamp), Indrajal (Hypnosis), Sandeh (Doubt), Mamta, Chhota Jadugar and Daasi (Maid).
novel
He wrote three novels during his career. His novel “Butterfly” is set in rural life, and his novel “Skeleton” is set in human civilization. He was working on the novel Iravati, which remained unfinished until his death in 1937 and was later published in 1940.
other works
He started writing in Indu, a monthly magazine published by his nephew Ambika Prasad Gupta in 1909, and his earliest works can be found in various editions of the magazine.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- Kamayani received the Manglaprasad Award from the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag in 1938
die
He died of tuberculosis in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India (then Benaras, a United Provinces of British India). According to some sources, he died on November 15, 1937 (at the age of 47), according to others on January 14, 1937 (at the age of 46).
Facts/Trivia
- Shanta Gandhi, professor of ancient Indian drama at the National School of Drama in Delhi, revived interest in his plays by staging his 1928 play Skanda Gupta, revising the original script in the 1960s Very few modifications were made.
- He enjoys playing chess and gardening at home.
- He had an excellent memory and had memorized Amarkosh and Laghu Kaumudi at the age of 9.
- His family is very wealthy and ranks second only to the King of Varanasi.
- He had a very close friendship with the Indian novelist Munshi Premchand.
Jaishankar Prasad (left) and Munshi Premchand
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education