Lekhak & Rachnayen — Study Notes

Overview

Hindi literature has a rich tradition spanning centuries, from medieval Bhakti and Riti periods to modern prose and poetry. For UP Police Constable exams, questions on famous Hindi authors (लेखक/कवि) and their works (रचनाएँ) appear regularly under General Hindi. You must be familiar with major writers from different literary movements — Chhayavad, Pragativad, Prayogvad, and contemporary literature — along with their notable works and literary awards.

This topic tests your cultural awareness and general knowledge of Hindi literary heritage. Expect direct match questions: "Who wrote 'Kamayani'?" or "Which award did Ramdhari Singh Dinkar receive?" Also be prepared for reverse questions: given a work, identify the author. Focus on the most celebrated names — Premchand, Mahadevi Verma, Jaishankar Prasad, Harivansh Rai Bachchan — and their signature works. Knowing major awards (Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi, Vyas Samman) and their recipients will fetch quick marks.

Since this is a constable-level exam, depth is limited but breadth matters. Memorise 15–20 author-work pairs and 8–10 major award winners. This forms a high-yield, low-effort scoring opportunity in the General Hindi section.

Key Concepts

• **Chhayavad (छायावाद)** — Romantic movement in Hindi poetry (1918–1938); key poets: Jaishankar Prasad, Suryakant Tripathi Nirala, Sumitranandan Pant, Mahadevi Verma. Focus on imagination, nature and mysticism.
• **Premchand Era** — Munshi Premchand is called "Upanyas Samrat" (Emperor of Novels); pioneered realistic fiction in Hindi; wrote on rural life, poverty and social reform.
• **Pragativad (प्रगतिवाद)** — Progressive movement (1936 onwards); socially conscious, leftist themes; key names: Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Nagarjun, Trilochan.
• **Prayogvad/Nai Kavita (प्रयोगवाद/नयी कविता)** — Experimental poetry post-1950s; emphasis on individualism and modernism; leaders: Agyeya, Dharamvir Bharati.
• **Major Literary Awards** — Jnanpith Award (highest literary honour in India), Sahitya Akademi Award (given by Sahitya Akademi for best literary work), Vyas Samman (by K.K. Birla Foundation), Bharatendu Harishchandra Award.
• **Bhakti and Riti Poets** — Medieval poets like Kabir, Tulsidas, Surdas and Bihari are also part of Hindi heritage; know their signature works (Ramcharitmanas, Sursagar, Bihari Satsai).
• **Modern Prose Writers** — Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Yashpal, Jainendra Kumar, Mohan Rakesh contributed novels, essays and plays; often tested on representative works.
• **Women Writers** — Mahadevi Verma (poet), Mahashweta Devi (prose, though primarily Bengali but translated widely), Usha Priyamvada and Krishna Sobti are notable; Mahadevi Verma's "Yama" won Jnanpith.

Formulas / Key Facts

**Must-Remember Author-Work Pairs:**

1. **Munshi Premchand** — Godaan (गोदान), Gaban (गबन), Nirmala (निर्मला), Rangbhoomi (रंगभूमि), Kafan (कफ़न — short story). 2. **Jaishankar Prasad** — Kamayani (कामायनी — epic poem), Chandragupta (चंद्रगुप्त — play), Skandagupta (स्कंदगुप्त — play), Aansoo (आँसू — poetry). 3. **Suryakant Tripathi Nirala** — Ram ki Shakti Pooja (राम की शक्तिपूजा), Saroj Smriti (सरोज स्मृति), Parimal (परिमल). 4. **Sumitranandan Pant** — Pallav (पल्लव), Chidambara (चिदम्बरा), Kala aur Budhdha Chand (काला और बूढ़ा चाँद). Won Jnanpith in 1968. 5. **Mahadevi Verma** — Yama (यामा — poetry collection, Jnanpith Award 1982), Neelkanth (नीलकंठ — prose). 6. **Harivansh Rai Bachchan** — Madhushala (मधुशाला — most famous), Madhubala (मधुबाला), Nisha Nimantran (निशा निमंत्रण). 7. **Ramdhari Singh Dinkar** — Rashmirathi (रश्मिरथी), Kurukshetra (कुरुक्षेत्र), Urvashi (उर्वशी — Jnanpith 1972), Sanskriti ke Char Adhyay (संस्कृति के चार अध्याय). 8. **Agyeya (S.H. Vatsyayan)** — Shekhar: Ek Jivani (शेखर: एक जीवनी — novel), Angan ke Par Dwar (आँगन के पार द्वार — poetry). Jnanpith 1978. 9. **Dharamvir Bharati** — Andha Yug (अंधा युग — verse play on Mahabharata), Gunahon ka Devta (गुनाहों का देवता — novel). 10. **Mohan Rakesh** — Aadhe Adhure (आधे अधूरे — play), Ashadh ka Ek Din (आषाढ़ का एक दिन — play). Pioneer of Nayi Kahani movement.

**Jnanpith Award Winners (Hindi):**

• 1968 — Sumitranandan Pant
• 1972 — Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
• 1978 — S.H. Vatsyayan (Agyeya)
• 1982 — Mahadevi Verma
• 1999 — Nirmal Verma
• 2013 — Kedarnath Singh
• 2017 — Krishna Sobti
• 2021 — Damodar Mauzo (Konkani, but awarded post-2020)

**Sahitya Akademi Award:** Given annually since 1955 for best work in 24 Indian languages. Many of the above authors received it before Jnanpith.

Worked Examples

**Example 1:** Who is the author of "Kamayani"? **Solution:** Kamayani is an epic poem in Hindi written by **Jaishankar Prasad**. It is considered one of the greatest works of Chhayavad era and deals with the theme of the great flood from Hindu mythology, focusing on Manu and Shraddha. Remember: Kamayani = Prasad.

**Example 2:** Which work earned Ramdhari Singh Dinkar the Jnanpith Award? **Solution:** Dinkar won the Jnanpith Award in **1972** for his epic poem **"Urvashi"**. Urvashi is based on a love story from the Puranas between King Pururava and the celestial nymph Urvashi. Dinkar's other famous works include Rashmirathi (on Karna) and Kurukshetra (Mahabharata theme), but Urvashi secured the highest honour.

**Example 3:** Match the following: (A) Godaan — (i) Jaishankar Prasad (B) Madhushala — (ii) Harivansh Rai Bachchan (C) Chandragupta — (iii) Munshi Premchand **Solution:** (A)–(iii) Godaan by Premchand; (B)–(ii) Madhushala by Bachchan; (C)–(i) Chandragupta (play) by Prasad. Quick recall: Godaan = Premchand's masterpiece on rural debt; Madhushala = Bachchan's metaphorical tavern poem; Chandragupta = Prasad's historical play.

Common Mistakes

• **Confusing Chhayavad poets** — Students mix up works of Prasad, Nirala, Pant and Mahadevi Verma. Fix: Associate one signature work per poet (Kamayani–Prasad, Ram ki Shakti Pooja–Nirala, Pallav–Pant, Yama–Mahadevi).
• **Attributing Ramcharitmanas to wrong author** — Ramcharitmanas is by **Tulsidas** (medieval Bhakti poet), not Kabir or Surdas. Kabir wrote dohas; Surdas wrote Sursagar (on Krishna bhakti).
• **Mixing Jnanpith years** — Don't guess award years. If asked, recall the big four: Pant (1968), Dinkar (1972), Agyeya (1978), Mahadevi (1982). If unsure of year, at least know the awardee.
• **Ignoring prose writers** — Students over-focus on poets and forget novelists/playwrights like Premchand, Yashpal, Mohan Rakesh. Fix: Memorise at least three prose works alongside poetry.
• **Confusing Dharamvir Bharati's works** — "Andha Yug" (verse play) vs "Gunahon ka Devta" (novel). Andha Yug is more famous; it deals with the aftermath of the Mahabharata war and moral blindness.

Quick Reference

• **Upanyas Samrat (Emperor of Novels):** Munshi Premchand — Godaan, Gaban, Nirmala.
• **Kamayani ka Kavi:** Jaishankar Prasad (Chhayavad).
• **Madhushala ke Rachyita:** Harivansh Rai Bachchan.
• **Rashtra Kavi:** Ramdhari Singh Dinkar — Rashmirathi, Urvashi (Jnanpith 1972).
• **Mahadevi Verma:** Leading woman poet, Yama (Jnanpith 1982).
• **Agyeya:** Experimental poet, Shekhar: Ek Jivani, Jnanpith 1978.
• **Jnanpith Award:** India's highest literary honour; know at least 4–5 Hindi recipients.
• **Ramcharitmanas:** Tulsidas (not in modern Hindi, but extremely important in Hindi cultural heritage).

---

**Exam Tip:** Prepare a quick chart of 10 authors, their 1–2 major works, and any award. Revise this chart the night before the exam for maximum retention and quick recall during multiple-choice questions.