Kamleshwar

Kamleshwar

Kamleshwar Prasad Saxena

Born January 6, 1932
Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh
January 27, 2007 (aged 75)
Died
Faridabad
Occupation story writer, screenwriter, critic, essayist
Years active 1954-2006
Awards won

Kamleshwar ( January 6, 1932 – 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,[1], he
was awarded the 2003 Sahitya Akademi Award for his cult Hindi novel, 'Kitne Pakistan',
and also the Padma Bhushan in 2005.

Contents
• 1 Biography
o 1.1 Early life and education
o 1.2 Career
o 1.3 Films
o 1.4 Television
o 1.5 Later years
• 2 Literary works
• 3 Bibliography
• 4 Filmography
 • 5 References

• 6 External links

Biography
Early life and education

Kamleshwar Prasad Saxena[2] was born in the Mainpuri district[3] of Uttar Pradesh,
India, where he spent his early years. Kamleshwar's first story 'Comrade' was published
in 1948[4].

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[4], he later started his literary career in Allahabad itself.

Career

In his early days, he worked as a proof reader[4], 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)[3], 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
"...once upon a
writers and Bohra Muslim litterateurs, thus
opening new vistas for Hindi readers. “ time, trees provided
shelter from the sun
Kamleshwar became famous for his short and the wind to
stories, and some other works, which depicted human homes.
the contemporary life in a vivid style of Now, the trees have
presentation. With the publication of his story, become used to
[5]
'Raja Narbansiya' (1957) , he was immediately growing in the
placed in league of leading writers of his times. shadows of tall
In his prolific career, spanning four decades, he concrete
wrote over three hundred stories, including,
Maans Ka Dariya, 'Neeli Jheel' and 'Kasbe Ka
buildings." --Kitne
”
Pakistan.[citation needed]
Aadmi'[6], 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[7].

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[7], 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."[8].

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[9].

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[10], 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[11].

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[12], and the Padma Bhushan in 2005.

He died, on January 27, 2007 at Faridabad[13] 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[14].

Literary works
• Jo Maine Jiya (Part 1) [1]
• Yadon Ke Chirag (Part 2)
• Jalti Hui Nadi (Part 3)
• Meri Priya Kahaniyan [2]
• 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. [3]
Filmography
• Sara Akash (1969) (dialogue)
• Aandhi (1975) (story)
• Mausam (1975) (story)
• Amanush (1975) (dialogue)[3]
• 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
1. ^ Kamleshwar.. The Times of India, 29 Jan 2007.
2. ^ Authors > Kamleshwar Authors at mapsofindia.
3. ^ a b c Kamleshwar Writer Profile at abhivyakti-hindi.
4. ^ a b c Kamleshwar brings out the truth of life The Tribune, December 28, 2003.
5. ^ Raja Narbansiya, Text in Devnagari script at abhivyakti-hindi.
6. ^ Kasbe Ka Aadmi Devnagari Text at abhivyakti-hindi.
7. ^ a b Satiya Akademi Citation Sahitya Academy Award - 2003 - Hindi.
8. ^ Kamleshwar, Hindi’s gem.. The Indian Express, January 29, 2007.
9. ^ Kamaleshwar The Tribune, January 28, 2007.
10. ^ Indiaclub.com Collection Kamaleshwar Profile.
11. ^ Kamleshwar Profile Library of Congress, New Delhi Office.
12. ^ Sahitya Akademi Awards 1955-2005, Official listings2003, Kitne Pakistan (Novel).
13. ^ Writer Kamleshwar.. musicmazaa, January 29, 2007.
14. ^ Katha Book Release The Hindu, Mar 26, 2007