Harivansh Rai Bachchan was one of the most famous and influential poets of modern Hindi literature. He is known for his deeply emotional writing style and authoring the iconic work "Madhushala", which made him a legendary figure in the Hindi literary world. With his rich imagination, lyrical style and philosophical depth, he left a deep impact on Indian poetry. Apart from being a poet, he was also an educationist, translator, social thinker and a strong promoter of the Hindi language. His life was a journey of struggle, creativity and dedication to literature.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan biography in English
Early life and background
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was born on November 27, 1907 in Allahabad (Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh, India. His family was originally from Kayastha background, and his father's name was Pratap Narayan Srivastava. His mother's name was Saraswati Devi. His family fondly called him 'Bachchan', which means "childlike" or "soft-spoken". Later this surname became so popular that he adopted it as his official surname.
He completed his early education in Allahabad and since childhood he was naturally inclined towards poetry, books, theater and music. He was deeply inspired by mystical and romantic poetry, Indian scriptures, and the works of poets such as Omar Khayyam and Tagore.
Education and academic career
After schooling, Harivansh Rai Bachchan graduated from Allahabad University. He pursued higher studies in English literature and developed command over several languages including Hindi, Urdu, Persian and English. He worked as an English lecturer at Allahabad University, where he taught for over a decade.
In 1952, he met the famous poet W.B. Yates went to Cambridge University in England to pursue a PhD. This made him the first Indian to receive a doctoral degree from Cambridge at Yeats. During his stay in England, he interacted with many international scholars and deeply understood global literature, which greatly influenced his writing style.
personal life
It is personal life was both emotional and tragic. His first wife, Shyama, whom he married at a young age, died of tuberculosis in 1936. This loss left him heartbroken and deeply saddened, which was later reflected in his emotional poetry.
In 1941, he married Teji Bachchan, a cultured and talented woman and she supported him in his literary and academic journey. The couple had two sons:
Amitabh Bachchan - great Bollywood actor
Ajitabh Bachchan
Harivansh Rai had a close and loving relationship with his family, especially with Amitabh, who has always spoken about his father's intelligence and inspiration.
Literary contributions and major works
It is contribution to Hindi literature is huge and priceless. He wrote more than 30 poetry collections, many essays, travelogues and translations. His writings belonged to the Chhayavad and avant-garde movements, which focused on emotion, imagination and lyrical beauty.
### Notable works
poetry collection publication year
tavern 1935
Madhubala 1936
honey pot 1937
nisha invitation 1938
Yarn Garland 1936
akul antar 1958
Satrangini 1968
### Biographies
It is also wrote his life story in four volumes:
What should I forget, what should I remember?
NIDA construction again
away from home
from Dashdwar to Sopan
These autobiographies are considered extraordinary works of Indian literature for their honesty, detail and emotional depth.
Tavern - Masterpiece
Madhushala is the most famous work of Harivansh Rai Bachchan and one of the greatest works of Hindi poetry. The poem uses metaphors such as wine, tavern, cup and bartender to express deep philosophical ideas about life, love, pain, death, destiny and existence. The book became an instant success and brought Bachchan national fame. It is still widely performed, recited, quoted and studied, and many artists have sung its verses.
Through Madhushala, Bachchan became an icon of modern romantic Hindi poetry and people affectionately called him the "Vagabond Poet" or the "Poet of Madhushala".
Social and cultural impact
He had played an important role in promoting Hindi language at a time when government institutions were dominated by English. He worked with the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi and helped translate many important government and national documents into Hindi.
He translated many world classics into Hindi, including:
Shakespeare's Macbeth and Othello
Bhagwat Geeta
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
He received the Padma Bhushan (1976) for his contribution to Hindi literature and education.
Awards and Recognition
award year
Padma Bhushan 1976
Sahitya Akademi Award 1969
Government and literary honors, various
Last years and death
It had spent his last years quietly with his family, continuing to write and inspire readers. He died on 18 January 2003, leaving behind a rich cultural legacy.
Even after his death, his poetry continues to influence millions of literature lovers in India and beyond.
Harivansh rai bachchan family background details
inheritance
It remains a timeless literary icon whose works continue to inspire, heal and motivate people. His poems speak of love, grief, hope and spirituality with profound simplicity. He transformed Hindi poetry and gave it a modern progressive identity. His son Amitabh Bachchan still proudly recites his poems on public platforms and keeps his father's memories alive.
This one line reflects his philosophy of humility, simplicity and humanity.
Philosophical Themes and Symbolism in Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s Poetry
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