Phanishwar Nath Renu

December 26, 2016

A commemorative postage stamp on Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu‘, an Indian Hindi writer of modern Hindi literature in post-Premchand era [a part of the series ‘Personality Series: Bihar‘] :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 26, 2016

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of eight Commemorative Postage Stamps on Personality Series: Bihar.

Credits :
Stamp / FDC / Brochure / Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta & Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 2.0 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Phanishwar Nath Mandal ‘Renu‘

Born on Mar 4, 1921 at Araria, Bihar, India

Died on Apr 11, 1977

About :

Phanishwar Nath Renu was one of the most successful and influential writers of modern Hindi literature. Popularly known as Renu, he not only one of the great Hindi writers but also a freedom fighter, memoirist, an active political and social activist. He is best known for promoting the voice of the contemporary rural India through the genre of ‘Aanchalik Upanyas’ (Regional Story), and is placed amongst the pioneering Hindi writers who brought regional voices into the mainstream Hindi literature. Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’ was born on 4^th March 1921, at small village of Purnea district (Now Araria district) in state of Bihar in a middle class farmer family. He did his Matriculation from, Nepal and gained higher education from Banaras Hindu University. In 1942 he left his studies and took part in the Indian Freedom Struggle. He also spent three-year rigorous imprisonment in Bhagalpur Jail. He participated in the Nepali revolutionary movement against the Nepal Monarchy in 1950 which resulted in the establishment of democracy in Nepal.
He has also penned a number of short stories, poems, memories and travelogues. His first novel “Maila Anchal” was published in 1954, which is considered a masterpiece of Hindi literature. Renu portrayed the culture, the characters and the narrative of Mithila with amazing sensitivity in Hindi literature for the first time. The novel radically changed the structure and narrative style in Hindi novels. The distinct feature in the novel is that it does not possess a structured plot or story in the conventional sense. For the first time the National Canvas illustrated the regional flavors and nuances, highlighting the richness and the life force, which only diversity can bring in.
Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’ was awarded one of India’s highest civilian honours, the Padma Sri in 1910 which he returned later in protest of proclamation of Emergency.
Text : Based on the material available on internet.