Rashtra Kavi Maithili Sharan Gupt – a Gahoi to remember on his 132nd birth anniversary!

Today, we are remembering Rashtra Kavi Maithili Sharan Gupt – a Gahoi from an affluent family from Chirgaon, Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh who was born on Augaut 3^rd, 1886. His family belongs the Kankane gotra of Gahoi Community and born in a zamidar family. His father was Seth Ramcharan Gupta and mother’s name was Kashibai. His mentor was well-known poet and writer Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi.

 

Interesting facts about Rashtrakavi Maithili Sharan Gupt:

 

1. He is one of the pioneers of Khari Boli (plain dialect) poetry and wrote in Khari Boli dialect, at a time when most Hindi poets favoured the use of Braj Bhasha dialect.

 

2. He was a recipient of the third highest (then second highest) Indian civilian honour of Padma Bhushan in 1954.

 

3. He was given the title of Rashtra Kavi by Mahatma Gandhi for the book Bharat-Bharati on India’s freedom struggle.

 

4. He was one of the famous personalities from the Gahoi Community.

 

5. He disliked school as a child, so his father arranged for his education at their home.

 

6. He was the teacher of Dewan Shatrughan Singh (Bundelkhandi Royal), who is known as Bundelkhand Kesri & Bundelkhand Gandhi.

 

7. He has a good command on languages like Sanskrit, English and Bengali.

 

8. Gupt entered the world of Hindi literature by writing poems in various magazines, including Saraswati.

 

9. His first major work, Rang mein Bhang was published by Indian Press in 1910.

 

10. His literature and poetry was basically inspired by Ramayana, Mahabharata, Buddhist stories and the lives of famous religious leaders.

 

11. He was also made an honorary member of the Rajya Sabha, where he used poetry to put his opinions in the house. He continued a member of the Rajya Sabha till his death in 12 December 1964.

 

12. His well-known literature includes Saket (Urmila, wife of Lakshmana, from Ramayana), Rang mein Bhang, Matrubhumi, Bharat-Bharati, Jayadrath Vadh, Vikat Bhat, Plassey ka Yuddha, Gurukul, Kisan, Panchavati, Nirjhar, Yashodhara (Yashodhara, the wife of Gautama Buddha) etc.

 

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