scholars

Maithili Sharan Gupt

National Poet of India (Rashtra Kavi)

Lived: 1886 – 1964

Rashtra Kavi (National Poet) from Jhansi, pioneer of modern Hindi poetry.

Maithili Sharan Gupt (1886–1964) was born in Chirgaon, Jhansi district, Bundelkhand. He was a major Hindi poet and was conferred the title of "Rashtra Kavi" (National Poet). His most famous work "Saket" retells the Ramayana from the perspective of Urmila. Other major works include "Bharat-Bharati" (1912), which became an anthem of the Indian independence movement, and "Yashodhara." He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha and received the Padma Bhushan. He played a crucial role in establishing Khariboli Hindi as a literary language.

Legacy and achievements

• Title of Rashtra Kavi (National Poet)
• Authored "Bharat-Bharati" and "Saket"
• Padma Bhushan recipient
• Rajya Sabha member