Mohan Rakesh (January 8, 1925 – January 3, 1972) one of the pioneers of the Nai Kahani literary movement of the Hindi literature in the 1950s has made significant contribution to novel, short story, travelogue, criticism, memoirs and drama.
He was also the recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1968.
Mohan Rakesh was born on January 8, 1925 in Amritsar, Punjab. He did his M.A. in English and Hindi from Punjab University, Lahore.
His noted novels are Andhere Band Kamare and Na Aane Wala Kal. His play Aashad Ka Ek Din (1958) and Adhe Adhure, played a major role in reviving Hindi theatre in 1960s.
Leheron Ke Raj Hans, the most noted play of Mohan Rakesh, an ancient Buddhist tale on the renunciation of the Buddha, and its after affects on his close family, was first written as short story and later turned it into a radio play for Radio Jalandhar, and broadcast under the title Sundri, though his struggle over different versions of the play lasted for nearly 20 years, before creating his masterpiece.
In 2005, this very writing process of the play, and Mohan Rakesh’s diary, writings, letters about the play, was recreated in play titled “Manuscript”, by a Delhi theater group.
{{/usCountry}}In 2005, this very writing process of the play, and Mohan Rakesh’s diary, writings, letters about the play, was recreated in play titled “Manuscript”, by a Delhi theater group.
{{/usCountry}}His story, Uski Roti was made into an epnoymous film, by Mani Kaul in 1971, for which he also wrote the screenplay.
Literary workNovelsNa Aane Wala Kal Andhere Band Kamre Antral Bakalama Khuda
PlaysAadhe AdhureLeheron Ke Raj Hans Ashadh ka ek DinMohan Rakesh ke Sampurn Natak, 1993, Rajpal.Rata bitane taka tatha anya dhvani nataka, 1974, Radhakrishna Prakashan.(Radio plays)
TranslationMrichchkatikam, (Sanskrit play)Shakuntalam (Sanskrit play)
Story anthologies (Kahani Sangrah)10 Pratinidhi Kahaniyan (Mohan Rakesh) Rat ki Bahon Mein Mohan Rakesh ki Sampurn Kahaniyan
Other worksMohan Rakesh: Sanskritik Aur Sahityik Drishti. 1975, Radhakrishna Prakashan.