Makhanlal Chaturvedi

For his works reinforcing Indian nationalism during the British Raj, he is referred to as the Yug Charan.

• Name — Pandit Makhanlal Chaturvedi • Born — 4 April 1889 • Birthplace — Babai, Central Provinces, British India (present-day Makhan Nagar, Madhya Pradesh, India) • Died — 30 January 1968 • Place of death — Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India • Occupation — Writer, Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Journalist • Period — Chhayavaad • Subject — Hindi • Awards — 1955: Sahitya Akademi Award 1963: Padma Bhushan

Chaturvedi was born in a Gaur Brahmin family of babai gav (Makhan Puram) village of Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh on 4 April 1889. He became a schoolteacher when he was aged 16. Later, he was the editor of the nationalist journals Prabha, Pratap and Karmaveer, and was repeatedly incarcerated during the British Raj. After the Indian independence, he refrained from seeking a position in the government, instead continuing to speak and write against social evils and in support of an exploitation-free, equitable society as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi.

His noted works are Him Kirtini, Him Tarangini, Yug Charan, and Sahitya Devata, and his most noted poems are Venu Lo Gunje Dhara, Deep Se Deep Jale, Kaisa Chhand Banaa Deti hai, Agnipath and Pushp ki Abhilaashaa.