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Mahadevi Verma: A Comprehensive Biography of her Poems and Books

AUTHOR BIO
NameMahadevi Verma
Profession(s)Poet, Novelist, Short story writer
Date of BirthMarch 26, 1907
Died11 September 1987 (aged 80)
Birth PlaceVaranasi, India
NationalityIndian
HometownVaranasi, India
SchoolCrosthwaite Girls College at Allahabad
College/UniversityUnknown
Educational Qualification(s)Degree
DebutAmrit ki Barah Kahaniya (Twelve Stories of Nectar) (1933)
FamilyFather- Govind Prasad Varma
Mother- Hem Rani Devi
Brother- Ketan Bhagat, Anchor & Novelist (Younger)
Sister- N/A
Marital StatusMarried
SpouseDr Swarup Narain Varma (m. 1914–1966)
ChildrenNA
BooksYama, Neerja, Chhavi, Jhankar, Amrit ki Barah Kahaniya, Yatra, Jivan Ki Asha, Ek Chadar Maili Si, Mahadevi Verma Rachnawali, Mahadevi Verma Granthawali.

Who is Mahadevi Verma?

Mahadevi Verma was a renowned Hindi poet, novelist, and feminist. She was born in 1907 in Varanasi, India, and began writing at a young age. She went on to publish numerous collections of poetry and prose, as well as essays and plays.

Her writing is marked by a deep engagement with the natural world and a commitment to social and political issues, particularly the plight of women. She is known for her powerful, emotive poetry and for her pioneering role as a feminist voice in Hindi literature.

The purpose of this blog post is to provide a comprehensive biography of Mahadevi Verma, including her early life and education, literary career, awards and recognition, personal life, and legacy. The post aims to give readers a deeper understanding of her life and work, as well as her significance in Hindi literature. It will also explore the themes and ideas that pervaded her writing, and how she was able to inspire and empower generations of readers and writers.

Early Life and Education

Mahadevi Verma was born in a small village in Varanasi, India in 1907. She was born into a traditional Hindu family, and her father was a Sanskrit scholar. From a young age, she was exposed to literature, music, and art, which would go on to greatly influence her writing.

Mahadevi Verma received her early education at home and was taught by her father. She was fluent in several languages, including Hindi, English, and Sanskrit. Her father’s extensive library and his love for literature instilled in her a deep appreciation for poetry and literature. She began writing poetry at a young age, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of her surroundings and the mythological stories she heard from her father.

She later went on to study at the Kashi Hindu University, where she was exposed to a wide range of literary works in Hindi and English. She was particularly influenced by the works of Rabindranath Tagore and Sarojini Naidu. Her education and early literary influences would go on to shape her writing and her worldview, making her one of the most prominent feminist voices in Hindi literature.

Mahadevi Verma Literary Career

Overview of Mahadevi Verma’s literary works

Mahadevi Verma began her literary career as a poet, but she also wrote novels, short stories, essays, and plays. She published her first collection of poetry, “Amrit ki Barah Kahaniya” (Twelve Stories of Nectar) in 1933 and went on to publish several more poetry collections throughout her career. Some of her notable works include “Yama”, “Neerja”, “Chhavi” and “Jhankar”.

In addition to poetry, she also wrote several novels, including “Yatra”, “Jivan Ki Asha” and “Ek Chadar Maili Si”. Her prose works dealt with themes of women’s rights and empowerment, and she was one of the first Hindi writers to write openly and honestly about the experiences of women.

Analysis of her poetry and prose

Mahadevi Verma’s poetry is marked by a deep engagement with the natural world and a commitment to social and political issues, particularly the plight of women. Her poems are powerful and emotive, and they often convey a sense of longing and yearning. Her imagery is rich and evocative, and her use of metaphors and symbols is masterful.

Her prose works, such as novels, stories and essays, dealt with themes of women’s rights and empowerment, and she was one of the first Hindi writers to write openly and honestly about the experiences of women. Her writing is characterized by strong feminist perspective and her works were marked by her deep understanding of the issues faced by women and her concern for their welfare.

Impact of her writing on Hindi literature

Mahadevi Verma’s writing had a profound impact on Hindi literature. She was a pioneer in bringing feminist perspective to Hindi literature and her works were marked by her deep understanding of the issues faced by women and her concern for their welfare. She was one of the first Hindi writers to write openly and honestly about the experiences of women and her writing has inspired generations of writers and readers. Her poetry and prose have been widely celebrated for their powerful emotive poetry and her pioneering role as a feminist voice in Hindi literature. Her works have also been translated in many languages, which has helped her to reach a wider audience.

Awards and Recognition

Mahadevi Verma received several awards and honors throughout her career, including:

  • Sahitya Akademi Award for her poetry collection “Yama” (1955)
  • Padma Bhushan (1956)
  • Padma Vibhushan (1988)
  • Jnanpith Award for her poetry collection “Neerja” (1982)
  • Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (1981)

The awards and honors that Mahadevi Verma received are among the most prestigious in the literary world and are a testament to her contributions to Hindi literature. The Sahitya Akademi Award is given by the Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, and is considered one of the highest literary honors in the country. The Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan are among the highest civilian awards in India, and Jnanpith award is considered one of the most prestigious literary awards in India.

These awards not only recognized Mahadevi Verma’s literary achievements but also her role as a feminist voice and her contributions to the society. Her works have helped to shape the literary canon of Hindi literature and her legacy continues to inspire writers and readers today.

Receiving these awards and honors not only brought recognition to Mahadevi Verma but also highlighted the importance of her work and her contributions to Hindi literature, which will continue to be remembered and celebrated for many years to come.

Personal Life

Mahadevi Verma’s personal life was marked by a deep commitment to social and political issues, particularly the plight of women. She was a strong advocate for women’s rights and empowerment and was actively involved in various social and cultural organizations. She was married to Dr. Swarup Narain Varma, who was a physician and a writer.

Mahadevi Verma’s personal experiences greatly influenced her writing. Her deep commitment to social and political issues, particularly the plight of women, is evident in her poetry and prose. Her writing is marked by a strong feminist perspective and her works were marked by her deep understanding of the issues faced by women and her concern for their welfare.

Her experiences as a woman and a mother, as well as her involvement in various social and cultural organizations, are reflected in her writing. Her poems and prose often deal with the themes of women’s rights and empowerment, the struggles and triumphs of women, and the beauty and power of nature.

Her personal experiences also greatly influenced her writing style, which is marked by a deep engagement with the natural world, and her use of imagery, metaphors, and symbols is masterful. Her writing is also marked by a deep sense of empathy and compassion for the struggles of women. Her personal experiences helped her to create works that were not only literary masterpieces, but also had a deep social and political message.

Mahadevi Verma Poems

  1. “Yama”
  2. “Neerja”
  3. “Chhavi”
  4. “Jhankar”
  5. “Aaj ki pratibimb” (Today’s Reflection)
  6. “Kiran” (Ray)
  7. “Nadi” (River)
  8. “Pahadi” (Mountains)
  9. “Vriksha” (Tree)
  10. “Agyatvas” (Anonymous existence)
  11. “Safar” (Journey)
  12. “Sakhi” (Companion)
  13. “Sukh-Dukh” (Pleasure-Pain)
  14. “Sukh Aur Dukh” (Pleasure and Pain)

Note: This is not a complete list of all the poems written by Mahadevi Verma, as she had written several poems throughout her career. The poems listed above are her notable works, but there are many more poems written by her which are equally good and acclaimed by the readers.

Top 5 Poems by Mahadevi Verma

  1. Yama” – This poem collection is considered one of Mahadevi Verma’s most powerful works and deals with the theme of death and the afterlife. The poems in this collection are marked by a deep sense of longing and yearning and are filled with powerful imagery and metaphors.
  2. Neerja” – This collection of poems is considered one of Mahadevi Verma’s most important works and deals with the theme of the human condition and the search for meaning in life. The poems in this collection are marked by a deep sense of empathy and compassion and are filled with powerful imagery and metaphors.
  3. Chhavi” – This collection of poems is marked by a deep engagement with the natural world and deals with the theme of self-discovery and the search for one’s true self. The poems in this collection are filled with powerful imagery and metaphors, and they convey a sense of longing and yearning.
  4. Jhankar” – This collection of poems is marked by a deep engagement with the natural world and deals with the theme of love and loss. The poems in this collection are filled with powerful imagery and metaphors, and they convey a sense of longing and yearning.
  5. Aaj ki pratibimb” (Today’s Reflection) – This poem is one of the most famous works of Mahadevi Verma and deals with the theme of the present moment. The poem is written in simple yet elegant language and is marked by a deep sense of empathy and compassion. It provides a reflection on the present moment and its significance in one’s life.

These five poems by Mahadevi Verma are considered to be some of her most famous works, and they are widely celebrated for their powerful emotive poetry and her pioneering role as a feminist voice in Hindi literature. They are known for their evocative imagery, powerful metaphors, and their ability to convey a deep sense of longing and yearning.

Mahadevi Verma Books

Here is a list of some notable books by Mahadevi Verma:

  1. “Amrit ki Barah Kahaniya” (Twelve Stories of Nectar) (1933)
    This was Mahadevi Verma’s first collection of poetry, which was published in 1933. This collection of poems deals with the themes of nature, love, and self-discovery. The poems in this collection are characterized by their simplicity, elegance, and emotive power.
  2. “Yatra” (1934)
    This is a novel by Mahadevi Verma, published in 1934. The novel deals with the theme of self-discovery and the search for meaning in life. The novel is characterized by its powerful imagery and metaphors, and it deals with the human condition.
  3. “Jivan Ki Asha” (1935)
    This is a novel by Mahadevi Verma, published in 1935. The novel deals with the theme of women’s rights and empowerment. The novel is characterized by its powerful imagery and metaphors, and it deals with the human condition.
  4. “Ek Chadar Maili Si” (1936)
    This is a novel by Mahadevi Verma, published in 1936. The novel deals with the theme of the plight of women. The novel is characterized by its powerful imagery and metaphors, and it deals with the human condition.
  5. “Yama” (Poetry collection) (1955)
    This is a poetry collection by Mahadevi Verma, published in 1955. The collection deals with the theme of death and the afterlife. The poems in this collection are marked by a deep sense of longing and yearning and are filled with powerful imagery and metaphors. This collection won her Sahitya Akademi award. Check Prices on Amazon
  6. “Neerja” (Poetry collection) (1962)
    This is a poetry collection by Mahadevi Verma, published in 1962. The collection deals with the theme of the human condition and the search for meaning in life. The poems in this collection are marked by a deep sense of empathy and compassion and are filled with powerful imagery and metaphors. This collection won her Jnanpith award
  7. “Chhavi” (Poetry collection) (1971)
    This is a poetry collection by Mahadevi Verma, published in 1971. The collection deals with the theme of self-discovery and the search for one’s true self. The poems in this collection are filled with powerful imagery and metaphors, and they convey a sense of longing and yearning.
  8. “Jhankar” (Poetry collection) (1977)
    This is a poetry collection by Mahadevi Verma, published in 1977. The collection deals with the theme of love and loss. The poems in this collection are filled with powerful imagery and metaphors, and they convey a sense of longing and yearning.
  9. “Mahadevi Verma Rachnawali” (Collected works) (1986)
    This book is a collection of Mahadevi Verma’s works, including her poetry, novels, short stories, essays, and plays. It was published in 1986 and provides a comprehensive overview of her literary career.
  10. “Mahadevi Verma Granthawali” (Complete works) (2001)
    This book is a collection of Mahadevi Verma’s complete works, including all her poetry, novels, short stories, essays, and plays. It was published in 2001 and provides an in-depth look at all of her literary contributions. This book is considered a valuable resource for anyone interested in studying Mahadevi Verma’s work and understanding her literary legacy.

Note: This is not a complete list of all the books written by Mahadevi Verma, as she had written several books throughout her career. The books listed above are her notable works, but there are many more books written by her which are equally good and acclaimed by the readers.

Conclusion

Mahadevi Verma’s writing had a profound impact on Hindi literature. She was a pioneer in bringing feminist perspective to Hindi literature and her works were marked by her deep understanding of the issues faced by women and her concern for their welfare. Her writing has inspired generations of writers and readers and her poetry and prose have been widely celebrated for their powerful emotive poetry and her pioneering role as a feminist voice in Hindi literature.

Her work continues to be read, studied, and celebrated today, and her legacy lives on in the many writers and readers she has inspired. Her personal experiences greatly influenced her writing and her works continues to resonate with the readers, providing them with a voice of empathy, compassion and hope. Mahadevi Verma’s contributions to Hindi literature are invaluable and her works will continue to be read, studied and celebrated for many years to come.

Want to discover more of Hindi literature’s greatest minds? Check out our latest blog post, where we take a closer look at the 10 most famous Hindi writers of all time. Click here to read now and expand your literary horizons!

FAQ about Mahadevi Verma

When was Mahadevi Verma born?

Mahadevi Verma was born on March 26, 1907 in Varanasi, India.

What are some of Mahadevi Verma’s notable literary works?

Some of Mahadevi Verma’s notable literary works include “Yama” (poetry collection, 1955), “Neerja” (poetry collection, 1962), “Chhavi” (poetry collection, 1971), “Jhankar” (poetry collection, 1977), “Amrit ki Barah Kahaniya” (Twelve Stories of Nectar) (1933), “Yatra” (1934), “Jivan Ki Asha” (1935), “Ek Chadar Maili Si” (1936)

What themes does Mahadevi Verma’s writing often deal with?

Mahadevi Verma’s writing often deals with themes of nature, love, loss, self-discovery, women’s rights and empowerment, and the human condition.

What awards and honors did Mahadevi Verma receive in her career?

Mahadevi Verma received several awards and honors throughout her career, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Jnanpith Award, and Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.

Who is Mahadevi Verma’s husband?

Mahadevi Verma’s husband was Dr. Swarup Narain Varma, who was a physician by profession. They got married in 1914.

When did Mahadevi Verma die?

Mahadevi Verma died on September 11, 1987.