Pandit Vanshidhar Shukla (January 13, 1904 – April 26, 1980) was an Indian freedom fighter, politician, and poet of Hindi and Awadhi language.[1] He is best for writing the patriotic song Qadam Qadam Badhaye Ja, which became the regimental quick march of the Indian National Army, banned by the British in India post-World War II but later became a patriotic anthem of India after India's independence.[2][3]
Vanshidhar Shukla | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 1957–1962 | |
| Succeeded by | Banshidhar Misra |
| Constituency | Sri Nagar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 23, 1904 Manyora village, Lakhimpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Died | April 26, 1980 (aged 76) |
| Political party | Indian National Congress Praja Socialist Party |
| Parent | Chhedilal Shukla (father) |
| Occupation | Freedom fighter, Politician, Poet, Writer |
| Known for | Writing the patriotic song Qadam Qadam Badhaye Ja |
He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Sri Nagar Assembly constituency of Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh from 1957 to 1962.[4]
Early life
editVanshidhar Shukla was born on 23 January 1904 in Manyora village, Lakhimpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India, and belonged to a farming family. His father, Chhedilal Shukla, was also a farmer and poet, known for his Alha performances, a form of folk narrative singing. After his father's death in 1919, he took on family responsibilities. By 1925, inspired by Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, he became active in the Indian independence movement.[4]
Work
editHe composed literature dedicated entirely to the independence movement. In 1921, He became fully active in politics, and in 1928, he joined the Congress on Mahatma Gandhi's call.[5] After the Dum Dum incident, Vanshidhar Shukla wrote a revolutionary poem called Khooni Parcha, which became highly popular at the time and was released nationwide in 1928. After the Kheri bomb incident, Shukla's house was raided by the police, and they confiscated revolutionary literature, and he was sentenced to six months in jail. He openly participated in the Swadeshi movement and Gandhiji's Salt Satyagraha. Despite facing challenges, he remained determined to assist revolutionaries. In 1940, he was sentenced to three years' imprisonment and faced several other jail terms during the freedom movement.[6]
Some of his notable poetic works include Utho Sone Waalo, Savera Hua hai, Watan Ke Fakiro ka Fera hua hai, Uth Jaag Musafir, Bhor Bhayo, Qadam Qadam Badhaye Ja, and Mera Rang De Basanti Chola.[6] His compilation of poems Vanshidhar Shukla Rachnavali has been published by the Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan, Government of Uttar Pradesh. He established the 'Gandhi Vidyalaya' in Lakhimpur Kheri city in honour of Mahatma Gandhi.[4]
Politics
editAfter India's independence, he contested and won the legislative assembly elections held in 1957, becoming a Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He served as an MLA from 1957 to 1962, representing the Sri Nagar Assembly constituency of Lakhimpur Kheri district.[7] However, he chose not to accept the MLA salary allowance.[6][4]
Award
editIn 1978, Vanshidhar Shukla was awarded the Malik Muhammad Jayasi Award, with a cash prize of ₹5000, by the Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan, Lucknow, Government of Uttar Pradesh.[8]
In 1977, he was felicitated by the state government of Uttar Pradesh at Lucknow University in a ceremony chaired by storyteller Amritlal Nagar, and attended by prominent Indian writers. In 1953, he was honoured by the Akhil Bharatiya Abhinandan Hindi Sahitya Parishad, Lakhimpur Kheri and by the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag. From 1962 to 1969, he received multiple honours from Lucknow's Hindi community and the Awadh Academi of Bahraich.[8]
References
edit- ^ "बंशीधर शुक्ल ने कलम के जादू से दी क्रांति को धार" (in Hindi). Amar Ujala. August 13, 2023.
- ^ "Qadam Qadam: the growing popularity". Tribune India. January 23, 2022.
- ^ "'Kadam Kadam' from 'Gumnaami': A song that has inspired generations". The Times of India. September 23, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "दुर्भाग्य है की हम जनकवि वंशीधर शुक्ल को भुला बैठे". Isahitya (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ "कविताओं से क्रांति की मशाल रोशन की बंशीधर शुक्ल ने" (in Hindi). Amar Ujala. August 13, 2016.
- ^ a b c "स्वाधीनता आंदोलन में बंशीधर शुक्ल की रचनाओं ने क्रांतिकारियों में भरा जोश" (in Hindi). Amar Ujala. August 15, 2021.
- ^ "ऐसे भी विधायक : बंशीधर शुक्ल की सादगी और फक्कड़पन की दी जाती हैं मिसालें" (in Hindi). Amar Ujala. February 5, 2022.
- ^ a b Pandey, Seema. Pt. Vanshidhar Shukla Vyakti Aur Rachnakar. Pilgrims Publishing, Varanasi, 2021. ISBN 9789350762738. Pg. 2.