Kamleshwar

Infobox Actor
bgcolour = silver
name = Kamleshwar


imagesize = 200px
birthdate = January 6, 1932
location = Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh
height =
deathdate = Death date and age|2007|01|27|1932|01|06
deathplace = Faridabad
yearsactive = 1954-2006
birthname = Kamleshwar Prasad Saxena
occupation = story writer, screenwriter, critic, essayist
othername =
homepage =
awards = 2003: Sahitya Akademi Award
2005: Padma Bhushan

Kamleshwar (कमलेश्वर; January 6 1932ndash January 27 2007) was a prominent 20th-century Hindi writer, and script and dialogue writer for Hindi cinema and television. Among his most well-known work are the films "Aandhi", "Mausam", "Chhoti Si Baat" and "Rang Birangi".

Considered a part of the league of Hindi writers, like Mohan Rakesh, Nirmal Verma and Bhisham Sahni, who left the old pre-independence, literary preoccupations and presented the new sensibilities, that reflected new moorings of a post-independence India, thus launching, the Hindi literature's 'Nayi Kahani' (New Story) movement in the 1950s, [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1502404.cms Kamleshwar..] The Times of India, 29 Jan 2007.] , he was awarded the 2003 Sahitya Akademi Award for his cult Hindi novel, 'Kitne Pakistan', and also the Padma Bhushan in 2005.

Biography

Early life and education

Kamleshwar Prasad Saxena [ [http://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/literature/kamleshwar.html Authors > Kamleshwar] Authors at mapsofindia.] was born in the Mainpuri district [http://www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/lekhak/k/kamleshwar.htm Kamleshwar] Writer Profile at abhivyakti-hindi.] of Uttar Pradesh, India, where he spent his early years. Kamleshwar's first story 'Comrade' was published in 1948 [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031228/edit.htm#3 Kamleshwar brings out the truth of life] The Tribune, December 28, 2003.] .

Later he did his graduation and followed by a Master's degree in Hindi literature from Allahabad University. His first novel 'Badnam Gali (Cursed lane) was published while he was still a student, he later started his literary career in Allahabad itself.

Career

In his early days, he worked as a proof reader, growing up to become, the editor of 'Vihan', literary magazine in late 50's. This was followed by editorship of many Hindi magazines, like 'Nayi Kahaniyan' (1963-66), 'Sarika' (1967-78), 'Katha Yatra' (1978-79), 'Ganga' (1984-88) and weeklies, 'lngit' (1961-63) and 'Shree Varsha' (1979-80), besides this, he also remained the editor of Hindi dailies, 'Dainik Jagaran' (1990-1992), and 'Dainik Bhaskar' (1996-2002), and helped revive the Hindi magazine, 'Sarika', as its editor by bringing focus on new and emerging voices of modern India, an effort which reflected his encouragement to Marathi Dalit writers and Bohra Muslim litterateurs, thus opening new vistas for Hindi readers.

Kamleshwar became famous for his short stories, and some other works, which depicted the contemporary life in a vivid style of presentation. With the publication of his story, 'Raja Narbansiya' (1957) [ [http://www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/gauravgatha/2004/raja_nirbansia/raja_nirbansia1.htm Raja Narbansiya] , Text in Devnagari script at abhivyakti-hindi.] , he was immediately placed in league of leading writers of his times. In his prolific career, spanning four decades, he wrote over three hundred stories, including, Maans Ka Dariya, 'Neeli Jheel' and 'Kasbe Ka Aadmi' [ [http://www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/kahaniyan/2007/kasbe_ka_admi/kasbe1.htm Kasbe Ka Aadmi] Devnagari Text at abhivyakti-hindi.] , published over ten collections of short stories, ten novels most prominent among them being, Ek Sadak Sattawan Galiyan, Laute Huye Musajir, Kaali Aandhi, Aagami Ateet, Registan and Kitne Pakistan, apart from 35 other literary works in different genres ranging from literary criticism, travelogue, memoirs, to socio-cultural commentary [http://www.indiapicks.com/Literature/Sahitya_Academy/Hindi/Hindi-2003.htm Satiya Akademi Citation] Sahitya Academy Award - 2003 - Hindi.] .

Films

He move to Bombay in the 70s and started writing scripts and dialogues for Hindi films, in the next decade or so, he worked for over 75 feature films, which include films like Gulzar's Aandhi, based on his novel Kaali Aandhi, Mausam; Basu Chatterjee's Rajnigandha, Chhoti Si Baat and Rang Birangi and Ravi Chopra's triller, The Burning Train. In fact, reminiscing his worksd noted poet-director, Gulzar said, "..in 'Kitne Pakistan'... there is a description where a handkerchief falls off the bridge; I always used to tell him that I could write a complete short story on this one line only." [ [http://www.indianexpress.com/story/22039.html Kamleshwar, Hindi’s gem..] The Indian Express, January 29, 2007.] .

Television

By late 70s, he had made his first short TV film the “Jamuna Bazar”, near river Yamuna in Delhi, and soon switched to television scriptwriting, and eventually became the 'Additional Director General' of Doordarshan, India's national television channel, (1980-82), during his tenure, in a matter of 24 months, the entire nation was connected with television network [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070129/nation.htm#3 Kamaleshwar] The Tribune, January 28, 2007.] .

Over the years, he wrote stories in ten TV serials including, Chandrakanta, Aakash Ganga, Yug and Betal Pachisi, and popular serials based on literary works, Darpan and Ek Kahani [ [http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/AuthorSelect.asp?Author=Kamleshwar Indiaclub.com Collection] Kamaleshwar Profile.] , hosted a popular talk show on Doordarshan, 'Parikrama', started a weekly literary show, 'Patrika', and also produced and directed several TV Programes and investigative documentaries on social and political issues for Doordarshan [http://www.loc.gov/acq/ovop/delhi/salrp/kamleshwar.html Kamleshwar Profile] Library of Congress, New Delhi Office.] .

Later years

He was awarded the 2003 Sahitya Akademi Award, for his novel based on the Partition of India in 1947, 'Kitne Pakistan' (How Many Pakistans), which explored the way, nations fracture, through an allegorical court trial, wherein historical and political figures are present as witnesses [ [http://www.sahitya-akademi.org/sahitya-akademi/awa10301.htm Sahitya Akademi Awards 1955-2005, Official listings] 2003, Kitne Pakistan (Novel). ] , and the "Padma Bhushan" in 2005.

He died, on January 27 2007 at Faridabad [ [http://musicmazaa.com/hindi/news/fullstory/1496/Writer+Kamleshwar+is+no+more.html Writer Kamleshwar..] musicmazaa, January 29, 2007.] following a heart attack, after being in poor health for several years.

A collection of his short stories in English translation, "Not Flowers of Henna", was released in 2007 [ [http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/26/stories/2007032607950400.htm Katha Book Release] The Hindu, Mar 26, 2007.] .

Literary works

* Jo Maine Jiya (Part 1) [http://www.orientpaperbacks.com/abook.asp?b=342]
* Yadon Ke Chirag (Part 2)
* Jalti Hui Nadi (Part 3)
* Meri Priya Kahaniyan [http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/AuthorSelect.asp?Author=Kamleshwar]
* Kamleshwar Kee Shreshtha Kahaniyan
* Samagra Kahaniyan
* Ek Sarak Sattavan Galiyan
* The Street with Fifty-Seven Lanes (Translation)
* Teesra Aadmi
* George Pancham Ki Naak
* Mehfil
* Bharatmata Gramvasini
* Hindustan Hamara
* Ankho Dekha Pakistan
* Tumhara Kamleshwar
* Parikrama
* Chandrakanta ( Especially re-written by him for the popular TV serial)
* Samagra Upanyas (All of his 10 novels in one collection)
* Atmakatha ( 3 Parts)
* Samudra Mein Khoya Aadmi
* Subah Dopahar Sham
* Dak Bangla
* Registan
* Kali Aandhi
* Katha Prasthan
* Kohra
* Anbita Vyatit
* Aagami Atit
* Raja Nirbansiya
* Mere Hamsafar
* Vahi Baat
* Hindustani Gazalein
* Swatantryottar Hindi Kahaniyan
* Maans Ka Dariya
* Mati Ho Gai Sona
* Bayaan
* Pati Patni Aur Vah
* Des-Pardes
* Gulmohar Phir Khilega
* Khoyi Hui Dishayein
* Kahani Ki Teesri Duniya
* Kasbe Ka Aadmi
* Kashmir Rat Ke Baad
* Amma
* Aaj Ke Prasiddh Shayar - Shaharyar
* Aazadi Mubarak

Bibliography

* Kitne Pakistan, Rajpal & Sons, 2004. ISBN 8170283205.
* Partitions. (Translation of Kitne Pakistan), Penguin Books, 2006. ISBN 0-14-400099-7. [https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no43856.htm]

Filmography

* Sara Akash (1969) (dialogue)
* Aandhi (1975) (story)
* Mausam (1975) (story)
* Amanush (1975) (dialogue)
* Chhoti Si Baat (1975) (dialogue & screenplay)
* Ram Balram (1980) (dialogue & screenplay)
* Saajan Ki Saheli (1981) (dialogue & screenplay)
* The Burning Train (1980) (dialogue & screenplay)
* Souten (1983) (dialogue)
* Rang Birangi (1983) (story)
* Yeh Desh (1984) (dialogue)
* Laila (1984) (dialogue & screenplay)
* Preeti (1986) (dialogue & screenplay)
* Souten Ki Beti (1989) (dialogue)

References

External links

*
* [http://www.hindu.com/lr/2006/06/04/stories/2006060400110300.htm A literary review of 'Kitne Pakistan', Partition]