Real Personalities of Bikaner

Nand Kishore Acharya
Writer

Born on 31st August 1945, in a traditional family in Bikaner, Dr. Nand Kishore Acharya is one of the foremost creative writers of our times. Beginning his writing career early with an analytical work on the writings of one of the most eminent writers of India, Ajneya, Nand Kishore Acharya himself grew to find his own distinct voice in the affectionate guidance of literatures like Ajneya and Chhagan Mohta. Even Ajneya when he first met Acharya found it difficult to believe that this thin, shy, young man was the author of "Ajneya ki kaavya Titirsha", a book that had with great simplicity and critical acumen had analyzed the person and the poetry of this founder of new poetry in India and who had given Indian literature a whole new dimension.

His plays, poems criticism, articles on issues of contemporary concerns and on education and his translations have given Hindi literature a new insight, a new direction and a new recognition of values. A command of almost every genre of creative writing, clear incisive vision and originality of verbal expression has earned him great respect amongst his contemporaries. His writing explores the grey and untouched subliminal zones of myths, legends and history, redefining human sensibilities and piercing the contemporary

social and political scenario, and in his poems it delves deep into the recesses of human experiences enthralling the reader like a whiff of flesh fragrant breeze. Doctor Acharya has distilled the forts, havelis, squares, narrow alleys, windows and casements and the desert breeze so beautifully in his poetry that Ajneya called him the 'inimitable bard of the beauty of the desert'. The conflicts of the creative heart are etched verbatim in his creation. The words written upon the paper are not mere words; they are the yearnings of the heart distilled upon the paper.  As a thinker Dr. Acharya is an altogether different person. His critical insight into contemporary literature, art and culture, society and civilization education and humanist concerns, and ability to carry it out to it logical conclusions establish him as a mature and complete thinker.

When this usually quiet man speaks on a subject, he rivets the listener with incisive, original and relevant expositions. Expostulations are an integral dimension of his thought. He may not be the only thinker on creativity and creative process but his efforts are certainly laudable. His translations of many classical as well as modern and contemporary poets including Riocaan, Brodsky and Lorca and the works of M.N. Roy give him a distinct identity even as a translator.

Dr. Acharya is a creative man even in his personal life. To realize ones values and thoughts in the life may be a difficult fete for us, for him it is only a natural process, which makes him exemplar. Head of the Dept. of History in BJS Rampuria College at present Dr. Acharya, participates in most cultural events in the ‘Theatre Capital of North India: Bikaner’, and the aesthetes of Bikaner usually find him present on most such occasions.

Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi journal Madhumati has published a complete number (July to August 2000) of their focusing on him as person and poet. His original insightful and thought provoking writing has created a special place for him on the horizon of Indian literature, and Bikaner takes pride in this creative geniuses presence and creation.

 

Distinctions / Honours/ Publications 

  • Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi's highest honour Mira Award.

  • Bihari Award by the KK Birla Foundation.

  • All India play writing honour Bhuvaneshwar Award.

  • Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

  • Bhuwalaka Award (2001).

  • Life member of Vatsalnidhi Trust.

  • Asst. editor in Everyman's, Co-Editor in Naya Pratik, Editor of Arumaru and Marudeep  (weekly), and Chiti (bimonthly) journals.

Poetry

  • Jal Hai Jhan (1980) 

  • Wah Ek Samudra Tha (1982)

  • Shabda Bhule Hue (1987)

  • Aati Hai Jaise Mrityu (1990)

  • Kavita Mein Nahin Hai Jo (1995)

  • Included in Chautha Saptak (Editor Ajenya)

Plays

  • Dehaantar (including Kimidam Yaksham 1987)

  • Paagalghar (including Joote 1988)

  • Gulam Badshah (including Hastinapur 1992)

Criticism

  • Ajneya Ki Kaavya Titirsha (1970)

  • Rachna Ka Sacch (1986)

  • Sarjak Ka Man (1987)

  • Anubhava Ka Bhaval (1994)

  • Sahitya Ka Svabhava (2001)

 

Others

  • Sanskriti Ka Vyakarana (1988)

  • Aadhunik Vichar Aur Shiksha (1989)

  • Parampara Aur Parivartan (1991)

  • Sabhyata Ka Vikalpa.

  • The Cultural Polity of the Hindus.

  • Polity in Shukranitisaar.

Translation

  • Sunate Hue Baarish (1983) (Riokaan)

  • Nav Manavaad (1998) (M.N. Roy)

  • Vignana Aur Darshan (1999) (M.N. Roy)