Chittorgarh: National-level poet of heroic verse, creator of the timeless poem ‘Gora-Badal’, and the poet who represented Mewar 18 times from the Red Fort, Pandit Narendra Mishra passed away on Tuesday. He was 88 years old and had been unwell for some time. After his health suddenly deteriorated, his family took him to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The news sent a wave of grief through the literary world.
Pandit Narendra Mishra’s relative, Dr. Natwar Sharma, said that Pandit Mishra was born on May 5, 1937, in Thakurdwara village of Moradabad district in Uttar Pradesh. Due to his deep affection for Mewar since childhood, he left his village and moved to Chittorgarh. While still in the 10th grade, he composed the historical poem ‘Gora-Badal’. His other famous works include Humayun ki Rakhi, Jauhar ki Jwala Avinashi, Pannadhay, Hadi Rani, and a poetic letter to Maharana Pratap. He also wrote the anthems for several universities. Mishra wrote the anthems for Mohanlal Sukhadia University Udaipur, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology Udaipur, and the Board of Secondary Education.
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Received Numerous Awards Without Applying: Dr. Sharma said that he received many prestigious awards for his literary services, including the Maharana Kumbha Award, Nirala Award, Tantya Tope Award, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Sahitya Puraskar, and the Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi’s Distinguished Litterateur Award twice. In 1976, after reciting ‘Gora-Badal’ to the then Maharana Bhagwat Singh, he was bestowed with the title of ‘Royal Poet of the Mewar Dynasty’.
Poetry Quoted at the Old Parliament Building: His poems are inscribed at the old Parliament building in New Delhi, at Moti Magri in Udaipur, and below the statue of Maharana Pratap at Dabok Airport. His verses are also quoted at various places in Chittorgarh city. His death has caused deep shock in the literary and social circles. He is survived by two sons and three daughters.
Gehlot had also inquired about his well-being: Pandit Mishra had been recuperating at home for quite some time. Three years ago, when the renowned poet Kumar Vishwas visited Chittorgarh, he met Mishra and inquired about his health. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had also visited Mishra’s home twice to inquire about his well-being.
He wrote a poem on Vande Mataram: In light of the recent debate surrounding Vande Mataram, he had written four powerful lines just two days ago, which proved to be his last composition:
‘Vande Mataram, the pride of faith and identity,
Vande Mataram, the symbol of India’s honor,
For those who wore the shroud on their heads for the tricolor,
Vande Mataram, the sacrifice of those immortal martyrs.’
