The nation and Amitabh Bachchan remember Harivansh Rai Bachchan on his birthday
Authored By Wion Web Desk
Published: Nov 27, 2017, 04:49 IST | Updated: Nov 27, 2017, 04:49 IST
Remembering Harivansh Rai Bachchan and his extraordinary journey on his 110th birthday
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Chota Bachchan
On 27th November 1907, Harivansh Rai Bachchan was born in his ancestral village Babupatti in the Raniganj tehsil of Uttar Pradesh.
His father's name was Pratap Narayan Srivastava and mother's name was Saraswati Devi.
His father used to call him 'Bachchan' at home.
His father's name was Pratap Narayan Srivastava and mother's name was Saraswati Devi.
His father used to call him 'Bachchan' at home.
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Bachchan in Cambridge
Harivansh Rai Bachchan completed his master's from Allahabad University in the year 1938.
In 1952, Harivansh Rai Bachchan enrolled at Cambridge University to complete his PhD. He is the second Indian to get his doctorate degree in English literature from Cambridge University.
In 1952, Harivansh Rai Bachchan enrolled at Cambridge University to complete his PhD. He is the second Indian to get his doctorate degree in English literature from Cambridge University.
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Bachchan and Hindi
In the year 1955, Harivansh Rai moved to Delhi to join the External Affairs Ministry as an Officer on Special Duty.
During the period of 10 years as a special officer at External Affairs Ministry, he was involved with the evolution of Hindi as the official language.
In 1976, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Hindi literature.
During the period of 10 years as a special officer at External Affairs Ministry, he was involved with the evolution of Hindi as the official language.
In 1976, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Hindi literature.
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How did he see himself
Harivansh Rai used to introduce himself as "Mitti ka tan, masti ka man, kshan-bhar jivan-mera parichay". The meaning of the line is , 'A body of clay, a mindful of play, a second of life - that's me.'
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Life with Teji Bachchan
In the year 1926, Harivansh Rai Bachchan got married to Shayama, but she died in 1936 because she was terminally ill.
In 1942, he got married to Teji Suri and they both had two sons, Amitabh and Ajithabh.
In 1942, he got married to Teji Suri and they both had two sons, Amitabh and Ajithabh.
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'Madhushala'
He is best known for his early work Madhushala. He was inspired by the work of Omar Khayyam, a Persian mathematician, astronomer and poet.
Amitabh Bachchan gave his beautiful voice to many of Harivansh Rai Bachchan's poem.
Amitabh Bachchan gave his beautiful voice to many of Harivansh Rai Bachchan's poem.
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Big B on his father
Amitabh Bachchan once mentioned that his father considered naming him Inquilab, as he was inspired by the phrase Inquilab Zindabad.
"My father Harivansh Rai Bachchan used to say that his greatest poetry was me. I don't know yet if I am a couplet, a shlok or a free verse. I wish I had asked him all these questions".
"My father Harivansh Rai Bachchan used to say that his greatest poetry was me. I don't know yet if I am a couplet, a shlok or a free verse. I wish I had asked him all these questions".
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Bollywood & Bachchan Sr.
Movies like 'Agneepath', 'Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara' have used works of Harivansh Rai Bachchan.
Some of his work has been used in Bollywood, including famous Hindi song 'Rang Barse' from 'Silsila'.
Also, lines from 'Koi Gata Main So Jata' appeared in the movie 'Alaap'.
Some of his work has been used in Bollywood, including famous Hindi song 'Rang Barse' from 'Silsila'.
Also, lines from 'Koi Gata Main So Jata' appeared in the movie 'Alaap'.