Mahadevi Verma Early Life, Education, Professional Career

Mahadevi Verma, a prominent figure in Hindi literature, left an indelible mark as a poet, artist, and advocate. She was a pivotal figure in the Chhayavad movement, celebrated for her emotionally rich poetry delving into themes of nature and human emotions. As a staunch advocate for women’s education, she led a prestigious women’s college and tirelessly promoted women’s voices in literary realms. Verma’s exceptional contributions were recognized with several accolades, including the esteemed Jnanpith Award, solidifying her legacy as a legendary figure in Hindi literature.

Mahadevi Verma

Mahadevi Varma, born March 26, 1907, and passed away on September 11, 1987, was a renowned Indian Hindi-language poet, essayist, and sketch-tale writer. She is considered one of the leading figures in Hindi literature’s Chhayawadi era and has been compared to the Modern Meera. Poet Nirala praised her as “Saraswati in the vast temple of Hindi Literature.” Varma’s poetry and writings reflected her commitment to social upliftment, especially among women, and she gained acclaim for her novel “Deepshikha.”

She revolutionized Hindi poetry by introducing a delicate vocabulary, drawing inspiration from Sanskrit and Bangla. Varma was also a teacher, overseeing the Prayag Mahila Vidyapeeth, and led an ascetic lifestyle despite being married. Additionally, she was a talented painter and translator. She achieved the rare feat of winning every major award in Hindi literature and was celebrated as the most popular female literature of the last century.

Early Life of Mahadevi Verma

• Mahadevi Varma was born on March 26th, 1907, in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
• She was born into a Hindu Brahmin family.
• Her father, Govind Prasad Varma, worked as a lecturer at a college in Bhagalpur.
• Her mother’s name was Hem Rani Devi.
• Her mother was known for being spiritual, compassionate, and vegetarian, with a love for music.
• Hem Rani Devi would often spend hours reciting religious texts like the Ramayana, Gita, and Vinay Patrika.
• In contrast, Mahadevi Varma’s father was a scholar, music enthusiast, agnostic, hunter, and cheerful individual.
• She had close friendships with Sumitranandan Pant and Suryakant Tripathi Nirala.
• It is said that Mahadevi Varma tied Rakhis to Nirala for 40 years.

Education of Mahadevi Verma

• Mahadevi Varma initially attended a Convent school but transferred to Crosthwaite Girls College in Allahabad due to objections and an unwilling attitude.
• She discovered the power of unity while living in the Crosthwaite hostel, where students from various religions resided together.
• Varma began writing poems in secret, which were discovered by her roommate and senior, Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, who was renowned for her poetry.
• Together, they wrote and shared poems, sending them to periodicals and attending poetry seminars where they met prominent Hindi poets.
• Varma described her upbringing in a liberal household in her childhood memoir, where she attributed her interest in reading and poetry to her mother’s influence.
• Despite being married at a young age, Varma refused to live with her husband after graduating and rejected the idea of divorce, preferring to remain single.
• She considered becoming a Buddhist nun but ultimately decided against it, despite her study of Buddhist scriptures as part of her master’s degree.

Professional Career of Mahadevi Verma

Mahadevi Varma’s professional journey was a multifaceted fusion of education, literature, and women’s empowerment. Initially, she embarked on her career as an educator, making notable strides at the Prayag Mahila Vidyapeeth, where she eventually assumed the role of Principal. Her leadership in women’s education was groundbreaking and revolutionary for her era. Simultaneously, her literary endeavors thrived, solidifying her reputation as a formidable advocate for women’s education and a literary luminary who left an enduring legacy in Hindi literature.

Literary career

Her first poetry collection, “Nihar,” was penned in 1930, followed by “Rashmi” in 1932 and “Neerja” in 1933. In 1935, she released “Sandhyageet,” a collection of poems, and in 1939, “Yama,” a compilation of four lyrical collections with accompanying artworks, was published. Additionally, she authored 18 novels and short stories, including notable works such as “Mera Parivar” (My Family), “Smriti ki Rekhaye” (Lines of Memory), “Patha ke Sathi” (Path’s Companions), “Srinkhala ke Kariye” (Series of Links), and “Atit ke Chalachrit” (Past Movies). She is also recognized as a pioneering feminist figure in India.

Woman’s Advocacy

• Mahadevi Varma’s professional life centered on writing, editing, and teaching.
• She played a crucial role in the development of Prayag Mahila Vidyapeeth in Allahabad, serving as its Principal and advancing women’s education.
• Varma took over the women’s magazine Chand in 1923 and founded the Literary Parliament in Allahabad in 1955.
• She organized India’s first women’s poets’ conferences and was influenced by Buddhism and Mahatma Gandhi, engaging in public service during the Indian freedom struggle.
• In 1937, she built Meera Temple, a home in Ramgarh, Uttarakhand, where she dedicated herself to community welfare and education.
• Varma’s efforts led to the establishment of the Mahadevi Sahitya Museum at her former home.
• Renowned as a feminist and social reformer, she criticized societal prejudices and advocated for women’s liberation.
• Varma addressed themes of female sexuality in her poetry and tackled issues of women’s abuse in her short stories.
• She spent most of her life in Allahabad and passed away there on September 11th, 1987.

Work of Mahadevi Verma

Mahadevi Varma’s work stretched beyond the realm of poetry, though it’s where she’s most celebrated. Here’s a breakdown of her literary contributions:

Poems by Mahadevi Verma

Mahadevi Varma excelled as both a poet and a notable prose writer. Below are some of her notable works. Additionally, selected verses from these compositions have been compiled into several additional poetic collections by Mahadevi Varma, which have also been published.

Proses by Mahadevi Verma

The following are some of the best prose works by Mahadevi Varma.

Other Compositions of Mahadevi Verma

Mahadevi Varma authored two poetry collections for children:

• Thakurji Bhole Hai
• Aaj Kharidenge Hum Jwala

Awards and Honours of Mahadevi Verma

Mahadevi Verma’s brilliance was recognized throughout her career with prestigious awards. Here’s a timeline of her major honours:

1. 1956: She received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, for her exceptional contributions to literature.
2. 1979: A landmark year, she became the first woman to be awarded the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, the highest honour bestowed by India’s National Academy of Letters, recognizing her lifetime achievement in Hindi literature.
3. 1982: The pinnacle of her literary acclaim arrived with the Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary award, for her deeply moving poetry collection, “Yama”.
4. 1988: Adding to her legacy, she was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, further solidifying her position as a literary giant.

Literary Contribution of Mahadevi Verma

• Mahadevi Varma played a pivotal role in shaping Hindi literature, particularly in language, literature, and philosophy.
• She introduced Hindi poetry to Braj Bhasha tenderness, leaving behind a collection of songs deeply rooted in Indian philosophy.
• Varma’s contributions significantly impacted Chhayavadi poetry, characterized by emotionalism and intensity of feeling.
• She was respected for her Hindi-language speeches, known for their hard truth and compassion for the common person.
• Varma’s translation work, such as ‘Sappaparna’ (1980), showcased her cultural awareness and highlighted significant works of Hindi poetry.
• Through her thorough investigation of Indian knowledge and literature, Varma enhanced Hindi literature’s overall depth and quality.
• Her influence extended beyond her original works, leaving a lasting legacy in Hindi literature and thought.

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