Bhisham Sahni's unmatched life

 I remember reading Bhisham Sahni for the first time ever in my Hindi school textbook. His work made me want to explore more Hindi literature & so I did.  

With Today's Past (originally written in Hindi & later on translated by Snehal Shingavi) we see a delicate child growing into adolescence, at the heart of an unusual family. Adulthood and the horrific business of Partition drive him to Bombay, then Ambala, and finally Delhi. As he gathers life experience and hones his talent at writing, his politics are formed. We observe the making of one of the icons of modern Hindi literature: Bhisham Sahni. 

    In addition to his life story, the memoir hands a life story transformed into a history of our present: one life bears witness to the tale of a nation.

Bhisham Sahni was born in Rawalpindi of an undivided Punjab. He earned a master's degree in English literature and a Ph.D. 

After the independence struggle, he worked with Congress and the Communist Party of India. Bhisham Sahni worked as a lecturer in Ambala & Delhi's  English College {today known as Zakir Hussain} of Delhi University.

He was awarded the Padma Bhushan for literature in 1998, and Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2002.

His works include Jharokhe, Kadian, Basanti, Mayyadas Ki Madi, Kunto and Neeloo, Nilima, and Nilofar. There were hundreds of short stories written like Bhagya Rekha, Pahla patha, Bhatakti Raakh, Patrian, Wang Chu, Shobha Yatra, Nishachar, Pali, and Daayan. Plays such as  Hanoosh, Kabira Khada Bazar Mein, Madhavi, Muavze, and Alamgeer were widely read too.

If you wish to read Bhisham Sahni you can start from translated versions of his works but I would highly recommend reading his originals to enjoy the purest of literary bliss!

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Started a series where I talk about a new Literary gem every month just to become more aware and share them with you. If you have suggestions leave them in the comments or write an e-mail to rewajoshi@gmail.com also if you wish to follow me on Instagram my handle is rewa.writes

Thank you for reading!🌻