Bhopal: The imagination of the author and critic Namvar Singh was always replete with the greenery of Bhopal, the Upper Lake and the Bharat Bhawan, said litterateurs in the city on Wednesday.Singh who passed away on Tuesday night left a permanent imprint on the minds of the lovers of Hindi literature, and many of his friends tenderly talked about their association with the author.
He was a spontaneous writer who could spawn an effective timbre through his words that are strong as well as engaging.
He visited Bharat Bhawan several times for lectures and seminars, and for a brief period, taught at Sagar University. A letter, he had written to author Ramesh Chandra Shah in 1984, was published in a book Ek Pate Per that was published by Pahle Pahal Publciation, Bhopal.
Poet, Rajesh Joshi told Free Press¸ “He had very long association with the city. Earlier, there was writer’s residence called Aashram, at Bharat Bhawan and he used to come there. He also worked here on author Hazari Prasad Dwivedi. He was disciple of Dwivedi. He also delivered three lectures, based on three chapters of his book Dusari Parampara Ki Khoj. He said, “He was the convener of Hindi Committee that selected me for Sahitya Akademi Award. He was one of main critics of the Nai Kavita and Nai Kahani movement which began after independence.
“He had great understanding of Indian and western literature. He was such a critic who also studied the latest trends in literature and kept himself update. He often used to intervene in various issues whether political or literary. So, we have lost great scholar which is irreparable,” Joshi added.
Author Padmashree Ramesh Chandra Shah said, “I had an association of 40 years with him. He was 10 years elder to me.
We were not on the same page ideologically. But the best part in is that despite ideological differences, he knew how to respect people. He had very good understanding literature including poems. He also wrote many essays.”
“We used to communicate with each other through letters. He was very impressed with my writings. He made me write many articles for his magazine Alochana. He also advised his students to read my work Chhayvad Ki Prasangikta,” Shah added. Professor Urmila Shirish who teaches Hindi in MLB College said, “He was Sikhar Purush of Hindi literary criticism. He was pillar of Hindi literature. He visited the college in 2004 for a speech on Kaljayi Sahitya Ko Parampra. We also invited him in our programme”
“His lectures were so enlightening that a large number of people used to follow him. His works are taught in post graduate students. After reading his works, one gets to know how he made Modern Hindi Literature prosperous,” said Shirish who is also director of Spandan Sansth.
Vijay Bahadur Singh, a Hindi critic said, “His younger brother Kashinath Singh is my friend. So, I know him personally. He was like my elder brother. He visited my home whenever he came Bhopal. He belongs to ordinary family. I have been following his work since my college life. He used to argue with logic. He was quite witty and had amazing communication skills. His death is a huge loss for Hindi literature world. His death is a huge loss for me.” Poet and publisher of Pahle Pahal, Mahendra Gagan said, “We met him in MP Hindi Sahitya Sammelan. He appreciated my poems. We also published his letter in a book Ek Pate Per which he wrote to writer Ramesh Chandra Shah in 1984.”
“He had long association with Bharat Bhawan. He first visited the Bhawan in 1987 to attend a lecture Samvay. His last visit was in 2003 to attend an event, organised by Bhawgwat Rawat, former director of Sahitya Akademi. He was great scholar and an institution of Hindi literature. It is a big loss of intellectual class Indian culture. We will organise a condolence meets here on Thursday”, said Prem Shankar Shukla, administrative officer, Bharat Bhawan
