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{{short description|Indian writer}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2009}}
{{Infobox writer 
| name = Vishnu Prabhakar
| image = Dr._Vishnu_Prabhakar.JPG
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Vishnu Prabhakar
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1912|6|21}}
| birth_place = [[Miranpur, Uttar Pradesh|Miranpur]], [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2009|4|11|1912|6|21}}
| death_place = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| occupation = Novelist, writer, journalist
| genre = fiction, novels, non-fiction, essays
| notableworks = Ardhanarishwar, Aawara Masiha
}}
'''Vishnu Prabhakar''' (21 June 1912 – 11 April 2009) was a [[Hindi]] writer. He had several short stories, novels, plays and travelogues to his credit. Prabhakar's works have elements of patriotism, nationalism and messages of social upliftment. He was the First [[Sahitya Akademi Award|Sahitya Academy Award]] winner from [[Haryana]]. <ref>{{Cite book|last=Haryana|first=Know Your State|title=First in Haryana|publisher=Arihant|year=2020|isbn=978-93-13190-29-5|location=New Delhi|pages=Chapter - 1, Page No' - 2}}</ref>

He was awarded the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] in 1993, [[Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan Award]] in 1995 and the [[Padma Bhushan]] (the third highest civilian honour of India) by the [[Government of India]] in 2004.<ref>[http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/old_version/awa10306.htm#hindi Official listing of Sahitya Akademi Awards in Hindi-language] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905041354/http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/old_version/awa10306.htm |date=5 September 2009 }} [[Sahitya Akademi]]</ref>

==Life and career==
Vishnu Prabhakar was born on 21 June 1912, in the [[Miranpur, Uttar Pradesh|Miranpur]] village of [[Muzaffarnagar]] district in [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name="aol"/>{{dead link|date=August 2012}} His father, Durga Prasad, was a religious person who kept himself untouched by modern times. His mother, Mahadevi, was the first well-educated lady of the family who dared to reject the 'Parda Pratha' of the traditional Hindu families. Prabhakar stayed in Mirapur until the age of twelve, completing his primary education. His mother sent him to his maternal uncle in [[Hisar, Haryana|Hisar]], located in the [[Haryana]] state. There he completed his matriculation at the age of sixteen in 1929.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

He wanted to pursue higher education but owing to financial situation in his family at Mirapur, he had to find a job. Through the efforts of his maternal uncle he joined the government service. It was a fourth-class job and his salary was eighteen [[Rupee]] per month. He kept his studies going along with his work, and obtained degrees of ''Prabhakar'' and ''Hindi Bhushana'' in [[Hindi]], ''Pragya'' in [[Sanskrit]] and B.A. in English.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

Along with his work he pursued an interest in literature. He also joined a Natak company in Hissar. His literary life started with the publication of his first story ''Diwali'' in the [[Hindi Milap]] in 1931.<ref>[http://www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/lekhak/v/vishnu_prabhakar.htm Vishnu Prabhakar (Abhivyakti)]</ref> He wrote [[Hatya Ke Baad]], his first play in 1939. Eventually he began writing as a full-time career. He stayed with the family of his maternal uncle until the age of twenty seven. He married Sushila Prabhakar in 1938 who stayed as an inspiration source for his literature until her death in 1980.<ref name="aalekh2003">Aalekh Samvad, June 2003</ref>

After [[Partition of India|Indian Independence]] he worked as a drama director, from September 1955 to March 1957, in Akashvani, [[All India Radio]], New Delhi. He made news when in 2005 he threatened to return his [[Padma Bhushan]] award after he allegedly had to face misconduct at [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]].

Vishnu Prabhakar died at the age of 96, on 11 April 2009 after a brief illness in New Delhi.<ref name="aol">[https://web.archive.org/web/20191103044240/http://www.aol.in/news-story/prabhakars-death-marks-end-of-an-era-of-hindi-literature-obituary/2009041112139012000005 Prabhakar's death marks end of an era of Hindi literature (AOL India News)]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090416175623/http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/12/stories/2009041258520300.htm Vishnu Prabhakar passes away (The Hindu)]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121023175036/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-11/india/28045115_1_sahitya-akademi-vishnu-prabhakar-delhi-hospital Renowned literateur Vishnu Prabhakar dies (Times of India)]</ref> He was suffering from a heart problem and infection of the urinary tract. His wife, Sushila Prabhakar, had died in 1980.<ref name="aalekh2003" /> Prabhakar is survived by two sons and two daughters. His sons Atul Prabhakar and Amit Prabhakar decided to donate his body to the [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences]], New Delhi as their father's last wishes.

===How he became 'Prabhakar'===
He became 'Vishnu Prabhakar' from 'Vishnu'; his name was listed as 'Vishnu Dayal' in the primary school of Mirapur. In the Arya Samaj school, on being asked the 'Varna', he answered – 'Vaishya'. The teacher put down his name as 'Vishnu Gupta'. When he joined government service, the officers changed his name to 'Vishnu Dharmadutt' because there were many 'Guptas' in the office and it confused the officers. He continued writing by the pen name of 'Vishnu'. Once an editor asked, "Why do you use such a short name? Have you passed any examination?" Vishnu answered that he had passed 'Prabhakar' examination in Hindi. Thus the editor appended ''Prabhakar'' to his name making it 'Vishnu Prabhakar'.<ref name="aalekh2003" />

==Writing style==
Although mainly a story writer, Vishnu Prabhakar has written in almost all the genres of literature including poetry. Collection of his poems titled ''Chalta Chala Jaonga'' was published posthumously in the year 2010. He did not let himself limit to any special school of thought and it is reflected in his vast variety of works. ''Aawara Masiha'', biography of Sharat Chandra Chatterjee and ''Ardhnarishwar'', however remain the most awarded and widely acclaimed of his works. He was initially influenced by [[Munshi Premchand]] but later started following [[Sharatchandra]]. His works are said to be a mirror of modern Indian society.

Prabhakar's works concentrate on the problems of today's Indian society. In his drama, ''Tootate Parivesh'', he writes about a modern family in which gaps between younger and older generation are increasing. His novel ''Koi To'' tells how corrupt politics has become in modern times.

Prabhakar was influenced by [[Mahatma Gandhi]]'s principles of non-violence. This can be seen in his writing very often. In some of his works, oppressed female characters talk like philosophers and even dacoits who usually are expected to have negative roles are full of humanitarian values. This is the reason why some critics labelled him as a Gandhian ideologist.

Prabhakar was also affected by many foreign authors. He had studied [[Leo Tolstoy]], [[Thomas Hardy]], [[Charles Dickens]], [[O. Henry]] and [[Eugene O'Neill|O'Neill]] in-depth. In an interview, he said that Tolstoy's ''[[War and Peace]]'' had influenced him very much.

Prabhakar was very fond of travelling. He travelled for fourteen years continuously to collect material for his book – ''Aawara Masiha'' which is a biography of famous [[Bengali language|Bengali]] author, [[Sharatchandra]]. For this he had to visit all the places linked to [[Sharatchandra]], even to [[Myanmar]]([[Burma]]). His love of travels also resulted in many travelogues.

==Bibliography==
===Novels===
# Dhalti Raat, 1951
# Nishikant, 1955
# Tat Ke Bandhan,

# Darpan Ka Vyakti, 1968
# Parchhai, 1968
# Koi To, 1980
# Ardhnarishwar, 1992

===Story Collections===
# Ek Kahani Ka Janam (एक कहानी का जन्म) (Collection of his Love Stories), 2008
# Aadi Aur Ant, 1945
# Rehman Ka Beta, 1947
# Zindagi Ke Thapede, 1952
# Sangharsh Ke Baad, 1953
# Dharti Ab Bhi Ghoom Rahi Hai, 1959
# Safar Ke Saathi, 1960
# Khandit Pooja, 1960
# Sanche Aur Kala, 1962
# Meri Tentis Kahaniya, 1967
# Meri Priya Kahaniya, 1970
# Pul Tootne Se Pehle, 1977,
# Mera Watan (मेरा वतन), 1980,
# Meri Lokpriya Kahaniya, 1981
# Meri Badrinath Yatra
# Khilone, 1981
# Aapki Kripa (Short Stories), 1982
# Meri Kahaniya, 1984
# Meri Kathayatra, 1984
# Ek Aur Kunti, 1985
# Zindagi Ek Rehearsal, 1986
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

===Poetry===
# Chalta Chala Jaonga, 2010

===Plays===
# Naprabhat, 1951
# Samaadhi (Gaandhar Ki Bhikshuni), 1952
# Doctor, 1961
# Yuge-Yuge Kranti, 1969
# Toot-te Parivesh, 1974
# Kuhaasa Aur Kiran, 1975
# Tagar, 1977
# Bandini(बंदिनी), 1979
# Satta Ke Aar-Paar, 1981
# Ab Aur Nahin, 1981
# Shwet Kamal, 1984
# Keral Ka Krantikari, 1987
# Vishnu Prabhkar : Sampurna Natak (Part-1,2,3), 1987
# Pustak Kit
# Seema rekha
# Sanskar aur Bhavna

===Biographies – Memories===
# Jaane Anjaane, 1961
# Kuchh Shabd : Kuchh Rekhaayen, 1965
# Aawara Masiha, 1974
# Amar Shahid [[Bhagat Singh]], 1976
# Sardar [[Vallabhbhai Patel]], 1976
# Swami [[Dayananda Saraswati]], 1978
# Yadaun Ki Teerthyatra, 1981
# Shuchi Smita, 1982
# Mere Agraj : Mere Meet, 1983
# Samantar Rekhaayen, 1984
# Hum Inke Rini Hain, 1984
# Mere Humsafar, 1985
# Rah Chalte-Chalte, 1985
# [[Kaka Kalelkar]], 1985

===Essays===
# Jan-Samaj Aur Sanskriti : Ek Samgra Drishti, 1981
# Kya Khoya Kya Paya, 1982

===Children's Literature===
#Imandar Balak
# Mote Lal, 1955
# Kunti Ke Bete, 1958
# Ramu Ki Holi, 1959
# Dada Ki Kachehari, 1959
# Sharachandra, 1959
# Jab Didi Bhoot Bani, 1960
# Jeevan Parag, 1963
# Bankimchandra, 1968
# Abhinav Ekanki, 1968
# Abhinay Ekanki, 1969
# Swaraj Ki Kahani, 1971
# Hadtaal, 1972
# Jaadu Ki Gaay, 1972
# Ghamand Ka Phal, 1973
# Nutan Baal Ekanki, 1975
# Heere Ki Pehchaan, 1976
# Motiyon Ki Kheti, 1976
# Paap Ka Ghada, 1976
# Gudiya Kho Gayi, 1977
# Aise-Aise, 1978
# Tapovan Ki Kahaniyan
# Pahad Chade Gajanand Lal, 1981
# Balvarsha Zindabad, 1981
# Khoya Hua Ratan (खोया हुआ रत्न), 2008
# Pustak Keet

===Miscellaneous===
# Baapu Ki Batein, 1954
# Hajrat Umar 1955
# Meri badrinath ki yatra, 1955
# Kasturba Gandhi, 1955
# Aise Thai Sardar, 1957
# Ha-Du-Al Rashid, 1957
# Hamare Padosi, 1957
# Man Ke Jeete Jeet, 1957
# Murabbi, 1957
# Kumhar Ki Beti, 1957
# Baajiprabhu Deshpande, 1957
# Shankracharya, 1959
# Yamuna Ki Kahani, 1960
# Ravindranath Thakur, 1961
# Pehla Sukh : Nirogi Kaya, 1963
# Main Achhoot Hoon, 1968
# Ek Desh : Ek Hridaya, 1973
# Manav Adhikar
# Nagarikta Ki Aur

===Others===
*'''Plays: '''Prakash aur Parchhaiyan, Barah Ekanki, Ashok
*'''संस्मरण: '''हमसफ़र मिलते रहे

==Awards and honours==
# [[Sahitya Akademi Award]], 1993
# [[Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan Award]], 1995<ref>[[Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan Award|Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan Awardees in Hindi]]</ref>
# [[Padma Bhushan]], 2004<ref>[[Padma Bhushan|List of Padma Bhushan Recipients]]</ref>
# [[Soviet land nehru award]] , 1976 for awara masiha
Both [[Sahitya Akademi]] and [[Padma Bhushan]] awards were given for his novel Ardhanarishvara (The Androgynous God or [[Shiva]]).

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Sources==
*Sandhya Singh (Editor) 2004. ''Sanvaad Part 2'', [[NCERT]], New Delhi

{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2000–09}}
{{Sahitya Akademi Award For Hindi}}
{{SahityaAkademiFellowship}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prabhakar, Vishnu}}
[[Category:1912 births]]
[[Category:2009 deaths]]
[[Category:Hindi-language writers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in literature & education]]
[[Category:People from Muzaffarnagar district]]
[[Category:People from Hisar (city)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Hindi]]
[[Category:Writers from Haryana]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian biographers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian essayists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian short story writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]

Vishnu Prabhakar - Revision history

imported>Aspects: Fixed infobox