Search the Internet          Tips

'Suman's appeal transcended
regional barriers'

Vishnu Nagar: Suman was a titan among Hindi litterateurs. Hindi poetry has lost one of its leading craftsmen, whose inimitable style will always be remembered by connoisseurs. To be a good poet is a gift and Suman was blessed with a poet's sensitivity.

He was eager to paint the colours of life in all their intensity. He was truly a progressive poet.

Although he belonged Uttar Pradesh, he virtually adopted the Malwa region (in Madhya Pradesh) and gave a new direction to a crop of budding Hindi poets.

He was an eminently successful teacher. As principal of Madhav College in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), his ability to communicate with his students knew no bounds.

Such was his popularity that when he was transferred out of Madhav College, his students protested by lying down on the railway track.

He was a father figure among Hindi poets, but his literary appeal transcended the Malwa region and the Hindi-speaking world.

Salil Tripathi: Suman, an immensely talented and progressive poet, was a dear friend. He had got the opportunity to rub shoulders with noted Hindi poet Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala' and observe him from close quarters.

Both left their inimitable stamp on progressive Hindi poetry.

Suman was a native of Theth Baiswara village in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district. His talent thrived while he taught at the Victoria College in Gwalior. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was one of his students.

He had this great ability to address audiences across the world through his poetry. His poem Moscow abhi door hai left an indelible imprint in the genre of progressive poetry.

Suman measured his talent with the likes of Narendra Sharma, Ram Vilas Sharma and Harvanshrai Bachchan.

His name will shine brightly as an exponent of good poetry and a personality who strove hard to ensure the development of the Hindi language and literature.

(As told to Tara Shankar Sahay)

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report