Kanhaiyalal Sethia (English: Kanhaiyalal Sethia; born- 11 September, 1919, Churu, Rajasthan; died- 11 November, 2008) was a famous English and Rajasthani writer of modern times. His most famous poetic work is ‘Pathal and Pithal’.[1] He launched a massive campaign against feudalism in Rajasthan and made a significant contribution in bringing the backward classes forward.
As a freedom fighter, social reformer, philosopher and national-international poet and writer, Kanhaiyalal Sethia received many honours, awards and decorations. He has also been honoured with ‘Padma Shri’ by the Government of India.
Jakanhaiyyalal Sethia was born on 11 September 1919 at a place called Sujangarh in Churu district of Rajasthan. His father’s name was Chhaganmalji Sethia and mother’s name was Manohari Devi. Kanhaiyalal ji’s early education took place in Calcutta (present Kolkata). His education was interrupted for some time due to his involvement in the freedom struggle, but later he obtained a B.A. degree from Rajasthan University. Philosophy, politics and literature were his favourite subjects.
Kanhaiyalal Sethia ji was married to Dhapu Devi in the year 1937. They have two sons- Jaiprakash and Vinayprakash and a daughter Sampat Devi Dugar.[2]
There is a sense of value in the entire literature of Kanhaiyalal Sethia. His personal thinking is realistic. He felt the truth closely. Philosophy was present in every pore of his body, while the common man resided in his every breath. Kanhaiyalal Sethia considered the poet to be only a medium of experience. The reader gets a vision in his works and the reader automatically becomes enthusiastic about the work. Kavivar Sethia has inspired the poets to create purposeful works by saying-
As a freedom fighter, social reformer, philosopher and national-international level poet and writer, Kanhaiyalal Sethia received many honors, awards and decorations, the main ones of which are[2],
1976 – Awarded for the best work in Rajasthani language by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi for his Rajasthani poetry ‘Liltans’.
1979 – Honoured by the Rajasthani Society of Hyderabad for fighting for the recognition of Maad language. Inspired to keep Maad language alive.
1981 – Awarded ‘Dr. Tessitori Memorial Gold Medal’ by Lok Sanskriti Shodh Sansthan, Churu for excellent works of Rajasthani.
1982 – Awarded with ‘Poonamchand Bhutodia Award’ for outstanding literary creation by Vivek Sansthan, Kolkata.
1983 – Rajasthan Sahitya Academy, Udaipur honoured him with the highest honour of ‘Sahitya Manishi’. A special issue and a book on the poetic journey of Shri Sethia was also published in the monthly magazine ‘Madhumati’.
1983 – Honoured with the title of ‘Sahitya Vachaspati’ by the English Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag.
1984 – Honoured with the highest title of ‘Sahitya Manishi’ by Rajasthan Sahitya Academy, Udaipur.
1987 – Rajasthani Academy’s highest ‘Suryamal Mixture Shikhar Award’ was given on Rajasthani poetry work ‘Sabad’.
1988 – ‘Murtidevi Sahitya Puraskar’ awarded by Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi for his English poem ‘Nirgranth’.
1989 – Awarded ‘Tantiya Award’ by Indian Language Council, Kolkata for Rajasthani poetry work ‘Sat Vani’.
1989 – ‘Nahar Samman’ by Rajasthani Welfare Association, Mumbai.
1990 – Honoured by Mitra Mandir, Calcutta for excellent literary creation.
1992 – Honoured by Rajasthan government with a copper plate of ‘freedom fighter’.
1997 – Honoured with ‘Lakhotiya Award’ by Ramniwas Ashadevi Lakhotiya Trust, New Delhi.
1997 – Honoured by the Rajasthani Society of Hyderabad for his service to the mother tongue.
1998 – Honoured on his 80th birthday by former Prime Minister Chandrasekhar and many other eminent personalities under the chairmanship of Dr. Pratap Chandra Chandra.
2004 – Honoured with the highest honour ‘Prithviraj Rathore Award’ by Rajasthani Language Culture and Literature Academy, Bikaner for contribution to the development of Rajasthani language.
2004 – ‘Padma Shri’ – by the Government of India
2005 – Honoured with ‘Pravasi Pratibha Award’ by Rajasthan Foundation, Kolkata Chapter.[5]
2005 – Honorary PhD degree conferred by ‘Rajasthan University’.
