Birth Anniversary of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar

• 24 Sep 2025

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the legendary poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar on his birth anniversary, highlighting his contributions to Hindi literature and his inspiring, patriotic poems that continue to ignite the spirit of nationalism.

Key Points

• Early Life and Education: He was born on 23rd September 1908, in the village of Simaria, Begusarai, Bihar. 
  • He pursued studies in philosophy, politics, and history at Patna University and became well-versed in multiple languages, including Sanskrit, Urdu, Bengali, and English.
• Contribution to Hindi Literature: Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, also known by his pen name Dinkar, was a prominent Hindi and Maithili poet, freedom fighter, and academic.
  • His literary contributions, especially the epic Rashmirathi, which recounts the life of Karna from the Mahabharata, remain a vital and influential part of Hindi literature.
• Influences on Dinkar’s Work: Dinkar was influenced by a blend of Rabindranath Tagore's poetic style, Mahatma Gandhi’s political philosophy, and Karl Marx’s revolutionary ideas, creating a unique poetic voice that resonated with the masses.
• Role in India's Freedom Struggle: Dinkar’s poetry, especially his fiery verses in Veer Rasa (the emotion of bravery), played a pivotal role in igniting a nationalist spirit during India’s struggle for independence.
• Political and Academic Engagement: Dinkar made significant contributions to both politics and academia, serving as a Rajya Sabha member from 1952 to 1964.
  • He also served as Vice-Chancellor of Bhagalpur University in the 1960s, reinforcing his influence in the academic sphere.
• Recognition and Honour: In 1959, Dinkar was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his exceptional contributions to literature, solidifying his place as one of India's greatest literary figures.
  • Renowned as a Rashtrakavi (national poet), Dinkar earned recognition for his patriotic and inspiring compositions that captured the essence of his era.
  • In 1999, Dinkar was featured among prominent Hindi writers on a series of commemorative postal stamps released by the Government of India, marking 50 years since Hindi became the official language.
  • On 22nd May 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the golden jubilee celebrations of Dinkar's significant works, Sanskriti ke Chaar Adhyaye and Parshuram ki Pratiksha, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.