Narendra Mohan (poet)

Narendra Mohan (Eminent Poet, Playwright and critic) Born on 30 July 1935 in Lahore. After the partition, he accompanied by his parents shifted to Ambala and received his education from Matriculation to M.A at Ambala. After six years of teaching at various colleges in Panjab and Agricultural University, Hissar( Haryana), shifted to Delhi University, Khalsa College and later on joined as Reader in Hindi Department, Delhi University. Retired in the year 2000. Active for the last four decades as a Playwright, Poet and critic, Dr. Narendra Mohan has established his identity as a national figure at the literary scene. He is a trend setter in poetry (Vichar Kavita, Lambi Kavita). His critical works initiated new discourses on Partition and Manto. His complete works have been published in twelve volumes. Narendra Mohan's Rancha-vali in twelve volumes is a significant contribution to Hindi literature. A TV serial 'Ujale Ki Aur' of 26 episodes, written by him and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, earned him recognition and fame. Narendra Mohan is a distinguished Playwright. His plays are:

1.Kahe Kabir Sono Bhai Sadho (1988) (The Play was staged at Patna (N.S.D. Workshop), Simla (Drama Festival), Delhi (Shri Ram Centre), Delhi and Jawahar Lal Nehru University. 2.Seengdhari (1988) The play was staged at Delhi, Shri Ram Centre and at Patiala. 3.Qalander (1991) (The play was sponsored by Sangeet Natak Academy and staged by Sambhav Art Group, New Delhi at Allahabad in the Drama Festival, 1991and by Asmita Theatre Group in Delhi) 4.No Man's Land (1994) (The play was staged at Shri Ram Cenrtre, Delhi by Sakshi Art Group, Delhi). 5.Abhang-Gatha (2000) The Play was staged by Rang Samooh, Ujjain at Ujjain and at the prestigious NSD Bharat Rang Mohotsav, New Delhi, 2004. 6.Mr. Jinnah (2005) The Play was staged by Arvind Gaur’s ‘Asmita’ Theatre Group, Delhi. The staging of the play was scheduled for 22, 23 June 2005. However, it was banned on 21 June 2005. The play was later staged at different theatre centres throughout the country and was translated into English and many Indian Languages. Mohan is known for his controversial play Mr.Jinnah[1] 7.Manch Andhere Mein (2011) Staged by Rang Samooh, Ujjain. Virat Kalodbhav staged many shows at Mumbai and other Theatre centres' across the country. 8. Had Ho Gayee, Yaaro (2010] Staged at Yamuna Nagar. 9.Malik Amber (2012) These plays have been staged by renowned Theatre Groups and prominent directors and have been widely recognised by the readers, viewers, theatre lovers and critics. Critics and theatre persons, while discussing and analysing his plays, have taken pains to explore at length the different features of his plays from 'Kahe Kabir' to 'Abhang-Gatha' and from 'Mr Jinnah' to 'Malik Amber'. Togetherness of word and theatre has been a central characteristic of his plays.

He has also edited works of Saadat Hassan Manto. Honoured by Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan-Sahitya Bhusan Samman and Sahityakar Samman by Hindi Academy,Delhi. He is a literary trend-setter of two movements in Hindi Poetry called 'Vichar Kavita' and 'Lambi Kavita'.

He has published twelve collections of poems, Nine plays, Thirteen books of literary criticism and Twenty edited books on various themes and genres. His poems, plays and critical articles have been translated into Punjabi, Urdu, Marathi, English, Telgu,Kannad and other Indian languages.[2]

Mohan got his PhD in Modern Hindi Poetry (Adhunik Hindi Kavita Mein Aprastut Vidhan) at Panjab University in 1966. A number of poems and articles appeared starting 1954 and by 1960, he was well known in literary circles.[3]

His first job was as lecturer in Hindi at Khalsa College, Ludhiana in 1958. Thereafter, he served in different Punjab Colleges and the Punjab Agricultural University as Lecturer and Asst. Professor. Moved to S.G.T.B. Khalsa College, Delhi in 1967, and joined as Reader in Hindi University of Delhi (1988–2000).

He edited the literary journal Sanchetna for 5 years (1969–73).

Collection of Poems in Hindi

1. Iss Hadsey Mein (1975). 2. Samana Hone Par (1979) 3. Ek Agnikand Jaghen Badalta (1983). 4. Hatheli Par Angare Ki Tarah (1990). 5. Sankat Drishey Ka Nahin (1993). 6. Ek Sulagti Khamoshi (1997, 1999). 7. Ed Khadki Khuli He Abhi (2006) 8. Nele Ghore Ka Sawar. (2008). 9. Rang Aakash Mein Shabd(2011)

कौन पढ़ेगा ? / रंगों की बुनावट में चमक है / अब भी / चमक में छिपा है कोई संदेश / कल का / कल के लिए / गिरती दीवारों पर अंकित है / एक अबूझ लिपि / कौन पढ़ेगा / ढहती इमारत की भाषा ? – Narendra Mohan

Collection of Poems in Punjabi

Drish Badalde Hoye

Plays in Hindi

1-Kahe Kabir Sono Bhai Sadho (1988),staged at Patna (N.S.D. Workshop),Simla(Drama Festival),Delhi SRC and Jawahar Lal Nehru University.

2-Seengdhari(1988),The play was staged at SRC,Delhi and Patiala.

3-Kalander(1991), Sangeet Natak Academy, Allahabad Drama Festival, 1991 by Sambhav Art Group and in 1994 selected for Urdu Academy's Annual Drama festival directed by Arvind Gaur

4-No Man's Land (1994),SRC, Delhi by Sakshi Group

5-Abhang-Gatha,(2000)Rang Samooh, Ujjan

6-Mr. Jinnah (2005),Play staged by Asmita Theatre Group directed by Arvind Gaur,The play Traces the psyche of Mohammad Ali Jinnah

7-Manch Andhere Mein,Staged by Rang Samooh, Ujjain. Virat Kalodbhav staged many shows at Mumbai and other Theatre centres' across the country.

8.Had Ho Gayee, Yaaro (2010] Staged at Yamuna Nagar.

9.Malik Amber (2012)

Plays in Punjabi

Pagle (1991) Sing Dhari (1991) Kalander (2000)

Dr. Narendra Mohan wrote eleven books on Literary Criticism-

1-Adhunik Hindi Kavita Mein Aprastut Vidhan (1972)

2-Adhunikta Aur Samkaleen Rachna Sandarbh (1973)

3-Kavita Ki Vycharik Bhumika (1978)

4=Samkaleen Kahani Ki Pahachan (1978)

5-Adhunikta Ke Sandarbh Mein Hindi Kahani (1982)

6-Punjab Ke Lok Gatha Geet (1989)

7-Shastriya Aalochana Se Vidai (1991)

8-Samkaleen Kavita Ke Bare Main (1994)

9-Bisavin Shatabdi Ka Uttardh : Hindi Kahani (1996)

10-Rachna Ka Sach (2006)

11-Vibhajan Ki Trashdi : Bhartiya Katha Drishti (2008)

1-Hindi Kahani : Do Dashak Ki Yatra (1970)

2-Adhunik Hindi Upanyas (1975)

3-Lambi Kavitaon Ka Rachana Vidhan (1976)

4-Kahin Bhee Khatam Kavita Nahin Hoti (1978)

5-Vichar Aur Lahu Ke Beech (1980)

6-Prem Chand Ka Katha Sansar (1980)

7-Vidroh Aur Sahitya (1974)

8-Sangharsh, Parivartan Aur Sahitya (1982)

9-Sikka Badal Gaya (1975)

10-Bharat Vibhajan : Urdu Ki Shrestha Kahaniyan (1984)

11-Bharat Vibhajan : Hindi Ke Shrestha Kahaniyan (1984)

12-Khoi Hooe Khushboo :Vibhajan Ki Shrestha Kahaniyan (1984)

13-Saadat Hasan Manto Ke Natak (1991)

14-Saadat Hassan Manto Ki Kahaniyan (1992)

15-Samkaleen Hindi Kahaniyan – I, II (1994, 2000)

16-Beesveen Shatabdi : Lambi Kavitayen (1996)

17=Volumes of Significant writings,Drishyanter (1985)

18-Ek Nadi Hai Rachna (1995)

19-Complete Works of Narendra Mohan (Eight Volumes).

20-Sankaleen Natak Aur Rangmanch (2009)

21-Vibhajan: Bhartiya Bhashaon ki Kahaniyan (Vol 1 & 2)

• Books of Criticism on Narendra Mohan's Writings
• A book of Criticism entitled ;Kavita Mein Likha Etihas' : An evaluation of Narendra Mohan's Poetry edited by Dr. Sukhbir Singh (1985)
• An assessment of Narendra Mohan's Poetry entitled 'Samkaleen Sandarbh Aur Narendra Mohan Ki Kavita' written by Dr. Gurcharan Singh (1995)
• An assessment of Narendra Mohan's poetry, plays and criticism entitled ' 'Narendra Mohan : Srijan Aur Samvad' edited by Dr. Virendra Singh (1995)
• An assessment of Narendra Mohan's long poems entitled ' Lambi Kavitaen Aur Narendra Mohan' edited by Dr. Ramesh Soni (1999)
• Natakai Sabat Aur Narendra Mohan, edited by Dr. Gurcharan Singh (2000)
• Srijan Ke Aainey Mein Narendra Mohan edited by Dr. Subash Chaudhary (2001)
• Rang Shabad Shilpi : Narendra Mohan edited by Dr. Arun Patil, (2003)
• Natakkar Narendra Mohan edited by Dr. Shivaji Devare (2003)
• Narendra Mohan : Lambi Kavitaion Ke Bahane by Dr. Rajni Bala (2006)
• Narendra Mohan Ka Rang-Karm edited by Dr. Gurcharan Singh(2009)
• Naya Paridrishya: Narendra Mohan Kay Natak edited by Dr. Gurcharan Singh(2009)
• Smriti Mey Saath( Memoirs on Narendra Mohan) edited by Dr. Rajni Bala (2010)

Dr. Narendra Mohan Scripted Ujala ki aur Hindi serial for Indian Doordarshan,Directed by Hrishekesh Mukeerjee

AWARDS AND HONOURS 1. 'Shriomoni Sahityakar' Award by Panjab Govt. 2. 'Sahitya Bhusan Samman' Award by Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan. 3. 'Sahityakar Samman' by Hindi Academy, Delhi. 4. 'Sarvshreshtha Natakkar Samman' by Natsamrat, Delhi. 5. Hindi Academy, Delhi award on his play 'Kahe Kabir Suno Bhai Sadho'. 6. First Prize on his Collection of poems 'Iss Hadsy Mein' by Language Deptt. Panjab. 7. All India Award by Ministry of Education, Govt. of India on his book of criticism 'Samkaleen Kahani Ki Pahchan'. 8. Haryana Sahitya Academi's award on his book of criticism 'Kavita Ki Vycharik Bhumika'.

DIARY AND OTHER GENRES 1. The Eternal No: Dimensions of Protest in Literature (In English : 1985) 2. Drishyanter (1985) 3. Ek Nadi Hai Rachna (1995) 4. Sath Sath Mera Saya (Diary: 2003) 5. Saye Se Alag (Diary: 2010) 6. Complete Works of Narendra Mohan (Eight Volumes) (2005) 7. Frame sey Baahar Aati Tasveeren (2010)

TRANSLATION OF NARENDRA MOHON’S CREATIVE WORKS INTO OTHER LANGUAGES 1. Poetry collection ‘Ek Sulagti Khamoshi’ in Marathi by Dr. Mangala Vaishnav. (2001). 2. Collection of long poems ‘Sankat Drishya Ka Nahin’ in Marathi by Dr. Ganesh Raj Sonale (2001) and in Panjabi by Dr. Kirti Kesar (2002). 3. The play ‘Seengdhari’ translated into Marathi by Sri Nath Tiwari (2002). 4. Literary Diary ‘Sath Sath Mera Saya’ translated into Marathi by Dr. Mangala Vaishanav (2003). 5. The play ‘Kahe Kabir Suno Bhai Sadho’ translated into Marathi by Dr. Mangala Vaishnav (2005). 6. The play ‘Manch Andhere Mein’ translated into Marathi by Dr. Mangala Vaishnav (2011). 7. The Play ‘ Mr. Jinnah’ translated into: a. Kannada by Dr. Tejasvi Kattimani, Periyar Prakashan, Dharwad, Karnataka (2006). b. Marathi by Dr. Mangala Vaishnav, Pratiman Prakashan, Pune (2006). c. Urdu by Dr. Sahina Tabassum, Classic Publication, Lahore (2007). d. Panjabi by Tarsem, Chetna Prakashan, Ludhiana (2008). e. Gujarati by Dr. Bharti Vyas (under Publication). f. Telugu by Dr. Basanta (under Publication). g. English by Dr. O.P. Arora (2011).

• Narendra Mohan at Kavita Kosh (Hindi)
• Narendra Mohan, a Delhi University professor , The Hindu
• Tracing the psyche of Mohammad Ali Jinnah
• Straight answers, Times of India
• Indian Express report
• Amritsar Heritage Festival, November 22–26, 2006 at the Wayback Machine (archived 10 January 2006)
• Manto Ki Kahaniyan