New Delhi, May 13: In the annals of Hindi literature, certain names stand out not just for their writing but for shaping an entire era’s thought and expression. One such luminary is Jagdish Chandra Mathur, born on July 16, 1917, in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Mathur spent a significant part of his childhood and education in Khurja and later in Prayag (Allahabad). He pursued higher education at Prayag University, where the literary environment nurtured his creative instincts.
From an early age, Mathur displayed exceptional talent. After completing his studies, he was selected for the Indian Civil Service (ICS), a remarkable achievement at the time. Despite the heavy administrative responsibilities, his passion for literature never waned. He held key positions such as Secretary of Education in the Bihar government, Director-General of All India Radio, and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He also served as a Hindi advisor. Yet, amidst these duties, his writing continued unabated.
His literary journey began during his college years in Allahabad, where he started writing plays and one-act dramas that were published in renowned magazines like ‘Chand’ and ‘Roopabh.’ Gradually, he began to give a new direction to Hindi theatre and drama. His writings beautifully blend history, culture, and society.
Mathur did not write plays merely for entertainment; he aimed to explore and portray the depths of society. His works encompass historical themes and social issues. Notable plays include ‘Bhor Ka Tara,’ ‘Konark,’ ‘O Mere Sapne,’ ‘Sharadiya,’ ‘Pehla Raja,’ ‘Das Tasveeren,’ and ‘Jinhone Jeena Jaana.’ Among these, ‘Konark’ is considered the most popular, achieving great acclaim on stage.
Mathur also made significant contributions to the field of radio and broadcasting. During the early days of All India Radio, he played a crucial role in bringing Hindi to households across the nation. He was among the few who connected prominent literary figures with radio, helping to broadcast the voices and works of giants like Sumitranandan Pant, Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar,’ and Balakrishna Sharma ‘Naveen.’ During this period, he advanced Hindi as a cultural movement.
The advent of television in 1949 coincided with his tenure, marking the beginning of a new communication era in India. He sought to link this medium with literature and culture. Jagdish Chandra Mathur passed away on May 14, 1978, but his literary legacy endures.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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