Harivansh Rai Bachchan
Hindi poet, author of Madhushala
- Lived
- 95 yrs
- 1907 – 2003
- Works listed
- 5
- Poetry, Poem
- Honours
- 2
- Most recent 1976
- Profile views
- 2
- 0 followers
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was one of the most popular Hindi poets of the twentieth century, best known for Madhushala (1935), a long poem using the tavern as a metaphor for life. A scholar of English who wrote a doctorate on W. B. Yeats at Cambridge, he was the father of actor Amitabh Bachchan. He died in 2003.
Biography
Madhushala
Bachchan grew up in Allahabad and published Madhushala (The House of Wine) in 1935. Its 135 quatrains, each ending with the word madhushala, use wine, the cup and the tavern as symbols of life’s search for meaning. Recited at public gatherings, it made him immensely popular.
Cambridge
He taught English at Allahabad University and in the 1950s completed a PhD at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, on the poet W. B. Yeats. He later worked as a Hindi specialist at the Ministry of External Affairs and translated Shakespeare’s plays into Hindi.
Poems and autobiography
His other works include Madhubala, Madhukalash and Nisha Nimantran, and the poem “Agneepath”, later recited by his son in films. His four-volume autobiography, beginning with Kya Bhoolun Kya Yaad Karoon (1969), is regarded as a classic of Hindi prose.
Honours and family
He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1968 and the Padma Bhushan in 1976, and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1966. He married Teji Bachchan; their son Amitabh became India’s biggest film star. He died in Mumbai on 18 January 2003.
Timeline
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1907
Born in Pratapgarh district, United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh)
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1935
Madhushala
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1954
PhD at Cambridge
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1966
Nominated to the Rajya Sabha
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1968
Sahitya Akademi Award
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1969
First volume of autobiography
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1976
Padma Bhushan
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2003
Dies in Mumbai
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2003
Died, aged 95
Notable works
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1935
Madhushala Poetry
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1936
Madhubala Poetry
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1938
Nisha Nimantran Poetry
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—
Agneepath Poem
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1969
Kya Bhoolun Kya Yaad Karoon Book
Autobiography, volume one.
Awards and honours
-
Sahitya Akademi Award
1968
-
Padma Bhushan
1976
Did you know?
-
1
He wrote a doctorate on W. B. Yeats at Cambridge.
-
2
His son Amitabh Bachchan recited his poem “Agneepath” on screen.
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3
He translated Shakespeare into Hindi.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Harivansh Rai Bachchan?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was one of the most popular Hindi poets of the twentieth century, best known for Madhushala (1935), a long poem using the tavern as a metaphor for life. A scholar of English who wrote a doctorate on W. B. Yeats at Cambridge, he was the father of actor Amitabh Bachchan. He died in 2003.
When did Harivansh Rai Bachchan die?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan died on 18 January 2003 at the age of 95.
Where is Harivansh Rai Bachchan from?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was born in Pratapgarh district, United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).
What is Harivansh Rai Bachchan known for?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan is best known for Madhushala; Agneepath; four-volume autobiography.
What awards has Harivansh Rai Bachchan received?
Notable honours include Sahitya Akademi Award (1968), Padma Bhushan (1976).
References
- Harivansh Rai Bachchan — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Harivansh Rai Bachchan — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Harivansh Rai Bachchan — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Harivansh Rai Bachchan — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Harivansh Rai Bachchan (Q9575) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Harivansh Rai Bachchan”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
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About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 27 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Harivansh Rai Bachchan.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/harivansh-rai-bachchan
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