Acharya Shivpujan Sahay (9 August 1893 – 21 January 1963) was a renowned novelist, editor, and prose writer in Hindi and Bhojpuri. He was a pioneer in introducing modern trends in literature, including fiction. One of his notable works, “Mata ka Anchal,” was even included in the CBSE Book. In this literary masterpiece, Sahay portrays the beautiful bond between a mother and child. The Government of India recognized his contribution to literature by awarding him the prestigious Padma Bhushan award.
Life
Shivpujan Sahay was born on August 9, 1893, in the village of Unwans in the Bhojpur District, into a land-owning Kayastha family. He was known by the name “Bholanath” during his childhood.
Professional Life
Shivpujan Sahay started his career as a Hindi teacher in Ara and later went on to become an editor in Kolkata. He worked with Munshi Premchand at Madhuri in Lucknow before returning to Kolkata to edit several short-lived journals. In 1932, he moved to Varanasi to edit Jagaran and became a prominent member of literary circles there. He later worked as a professor of Hindi language at Rajendra College in Chhapra and as the Secretary of Bihar Rashtra Bhasha Parished. Sahay’s own works were compiled and published in four volumes by the Parishad, and he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1960.
Acharya Shivpujan Sahay passed away on 21 January 1963 in Patna. Some of his books were published posthumously, including “Wey Din Wey Log” (1965), “Mera Jeevan” (1985), “Smritishesh” (1994), “Hindi Bhasha Aur Sahitya” (1996), “Gram Sudhar” (2007), and “Shivapoojan Sahay Sahitya Samagra” (10 volumes).