Raghuvir Sahay was not only a famous poet of his time and age but also a notable journalist, short story writer, editor, translator and social commentator whose works and achievements capture his quintessential spirit and commitment to living life to its fullest. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in the year 1984 for his Hindi poetry collection. He was also the chief editor of the prominent weekly Hindi newsletter Dinaman.
Background
Born in 1929, Raghuvir Sahay grew up during the period when India was struggling to free herself from the reigns of the British Empire. The writers who inspired him in his formative years include Charles Dickens and other prominent Hindi writers like Munshi Premchand etc. His commitment to the society and his desire to bring about a change in the world around him instigated Sahay to pick up the pen as his weapon of choice.
Career
Sahay's commitment to reality and his loyalty to the literary world made him choose journalism as his profession. From being the sub-editor in the news division of the All India Radio to being a special correspondent for 'Navabharat' times and finally, as the chief editor of the Hindi newsweekly called 'Dinman' for four decades, he made invaluable contribution to journalism. Believing in ideals and concepts such as 'poetry should be rooted in reality' and 'be fully alert to the social reality' (Dusra Saptak, 1996), his political journalism, literary criticism, philosophical short stories, essays and poems carry a common thread that uncovers the magic of a common man's everyday life. His vast and priceless contribution as a freedom writer, during 1972-90, continues to be appreciated till date.