Raghuvir Chaudhary, a novelist, poet and critic and a prominent figure on contemporary Gujarati literary scene was born in 1938 in Bapupura near Mansa in North Gujarat. He completed his M.A. in Hindi language and literature from Gujarat University in 1962 and later obtained his Ph.D. from the same university in 1979.
During childhood, Raghuveer Chaudhari used to work for adult-education in his village and also constructed a small library and a theatre for his school there. During vacations he worked with social workers and later became active in 'Navnirman Andolan' - an anti-corruption movement - against the Sate Government of Gujarat.
Born and brought up in a strong religious family of farmers, his acquaintance with some devoted Gandhian friends nourished a deep sense of social responsibility in him. This is the reason why his concept of modernism is different from that of his contemporaries.
Raghuveer’s talent has been nurtured by the prose writings of Govardhanram Tripathi, Kaka Kalelkar, Suresh Joshi, Niranjan Bhagat and Priyakant Maniyar. He owes his early training to his friend “Padmashree” Bholabhai Patel, a well-known scholar in Gujarati. Later Raghuveer developed an interest in Hindi and Sanskrit studies. Prof. Ramdarash Mishra and Prof. G. N. Dickey were among those who led him to cultivate an abiding interest in this field. Kalidasa, Rabindranath Tagore and T. S. Eliot have been Raghuveer's favourite writers. Dr. Harivallabh Bhayani, a profound scholar and a specialist in historical linguistics has also been a continuing influence on him.
Raghuveer's poetry is particularly remarkable for its profundity of thought and the meaningful use of images and symbols. Though “poetry” remains his first love, the form he has consistently explored, is “novel”. Most of his novels are rewritten at one stage or the other. His faith in the functional aspect of human life has progressively strengthened. It is voiced through Amrita, Venu Vatsala and Uparvas trilogy. His style of writing has also attained maturity and depth instead of repartee and satire abound in his earlier works. Rudra Mahalaya is a landmark in Gujarati historical novel writing. Through this novel the writer affirms the need for self-realization for creating a work of art.
Raghuveer's well-known short stories "Purn Satya", "Chitaa", "Pakshaghaat", "Ud Gaye Fulwa Rah Gayi Baas" reflect his concern for the contemporary man.
Amongst his plays, "Dim Light" is a successful street play. "Zulata Minara" is a remarkable effort at depicting the scenes of relatedness of the past and the present. In his collection of character sketches "Saharaani Bhavyataa", he attempts the portrayals of various creative personalities of Gujarat. His essays contain a combination of microscopic observations concerning the art of creative writing and a vivid presentation of thought. His style of writing tinged with his unique sense of humour adds to the readability of these essays.
Raghuveer is a man of co-existence. But he knows that co-existence is impossible without individualism. It has been a continuous search of Raghuveer's life and literature to attain a realistic ground for human dignity, which would strengthen the faith in humanity by way of attaining a deeper understanding of life through combining truth and beauty. He believes in a democracy that acknowledges the basic freedom of a human being and at the same time tries to prepare a mental ground for the development of a humanitarian society.
Raghuveer's literary works have received a wide response. In 1977 he was honoured with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel Trilogy Uparvaas. During 1965 to 1970 he won numerous prizes awarded annually by the State of Gujarat. Raghuveer was honoured with Kumar Chandrak for poetry in 1965, Uma-Sneharashmi Prize and Ranjitram Gold Medal for creative writing in 1975 and Sauhard Samman from Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthaan for his contribution to the Hindi language and literature in 1990. He has also received Abhivaadan Trust Awards and Aanart Award.
Raghuveer Chaudhari has also been active as a popular columnist with numerous dailies and journals like Sandesh, Janmabhumi, Nirikshaka and Divya Bhaskar. He is actively associated with various literary and social organizations and is at present a trustee of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad.
Since his retirement from Gujarat University in 1998, Raghuveer spends most of his time in his native village Bapupura, actively involved in farming and other literary / social projects.
To get books authored by Dr. Raghuveer Chaudhari, please contact:
Rangdwar Prakashan
15, University Plaza, Near Vijay Cross Roads
Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380 009
India
Telephone: +91 79 27913344
Web: http://www.rangdwar.com
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