https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Ashok_VajpeyiAshok Vajpeyi - Revision history2026-07-31T15:11:01ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Ashok_Vajpeyi&diff=449859&oldid=prevCleanupBot at 07:07, 22 March 20262026-03-22T07:07:10Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian Hindi-language poet, essayist and literary-cultural critic}}<br />
{{hatnote|Not to be confused with [[Ashok Bajpai]].}}<br />
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}<br />
{{Infobox writer <!-- For more information see [[:Template:Infobox Writer/doc]]. --> <br />
| name = Ashok Vajpeyi <br />
| image = Ashok Vajpeyi.jpg<br />
| image_size = <br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = With his books at a seminar in IGNOU| pseudonym = <br />
| birth_name = <br />
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1941}}<!-- {{Birth date and age|df=yes|Year|Month|Day}} --> <br />
| birth_place = [[Durg]], [[Central Provinces and Berar]], [[British Raj|British India]] <br />
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=yes|Year|Month|Day|Year|Month|Day}} --> <br />
| death_place = | resting_place = | occupation =Chairman, [[Lalit Kala Akademi]] India's National Academy of Arts (2008–2011), poet, essayist, literary-cultural critic | language = Hindi| nationality = | ethnicity = | citizenship = | education = | alma_mater = | period = | genre = | subject = | movement = | notableworks = | spouse = | partner = | children = | relatives = | influences = | influenced = | signature = | signature_alt = | website = | portaldisp = }}<br />
[[File:The Chairman, Lalit Kala Akademi, Shri Ashok Vajpeyi interacting with the media, in New Delhi on December 15, 2011.jpg|thumb|The Chairman, Lalit Kala Akademi, Shri Ashok Vajpeyi interacting with the media, in New Delhi on 15 December 2011]]<br />
'''Ashok Vajpeyi''' (born 1941) is an Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[poet]], essayist, literary-cultural critic, apart from being a noted cultural and [[arts administrator]], and a former civil servant. He was chairman, [[Lalit Kala Akademi]] India's National Academy of Arts, [[Ministry of Culture (India)|Ministry of Culture]], Govt of India, 2008–2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=General Council Members |url=http://www.lalitkala.gov.in/history/up-coming-events/gc-members.html |publisher=[[Lalit Kala Akademi]] website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715182953/http://lalitkala.gov.in/history/up-coming-events/gc-members.html |archive-date=15 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Word: Ashok Vajpeyi , Poet and former chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi |url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main51.asp?filename=hu030312The_word.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203173943/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main51.asp?filename=hu030312The_word.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 February 2013 |date=3 March 2012 |publisher=Tehelka Magazine, Vol 9, Issue 09, Dated }}</ref> He has published over 23 books of poetry, criticism and art, and was awarded the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] given by [[Sahitya Akademi]], India's National Academy of Letters, in 1994 for his poetry collection, ''Kahin Nahin Wahin''.<ref name=jailit>{{cite web |title=Ashok Vajpeyi |url=http://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/ashok-vajpeyi/ |publisher=[[Jaipur Literature Festival]] |access-date=27 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117134613/http://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/ashok-vajpeyi/ |archive-date=17 November 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=hindu/> His notable poetry collections include, ''Shaher Ab Bhi Sambhavana Hai'' (1966), ''Tatpurush'' (1986), ''Bahuri Akela'' (1992), ''Ibarat Se Giri Matrayen'', ''Ummeed ka Doosra Naam'' (2004) and ''Vivaksha'' (2006), besides this he has also published works on literary and art criticism: ''Filhal'', ''Kuchh Poorvagrah'', ''Samay se Bahar'', ''Kavita ka Galp'' and ''Sidhiyan Shuru ho Gayi Hain''. He is generally seen as part of the old Delhi-centric literary-cultural establishment consisting of bureaucrat-poets and academicians like [[Sitakanta Mahapatra]], [[Keki Daruwalla]], [[Jagannath Prasad Das|J.P.Das]], [[Gopi Chand Narang]], Indra Nath Choudhari and [[K.Satchidanandan]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Amit Prakash|first1=Y.P. Rajesh|title=The Literary Mafia|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/The-Literary-Mafia/200102|work=Outlook Magazine|date=1 Nov 1995}}</ref><br />
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==Career==<br />
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Vajpeyi received his master's degree (MA English) from [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]]<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite web |url= https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-cultural-impact/article4860402 |title=A Cultural Impact|website=[[The Hindu]] }}</ref> and joined the [[Indian Administrative Services]] (IAS) in [[Madhya Pradesh]] (MP), in 1965. He was patronized by [[Indian National Congress]] leader [[Arjun Singh (politician, born 1930)|Arjun Singh]], and became the state's culture secretary when Singh became the Chief Minister of [[Madhya Pradesh|MP]]. As the culture secretary, he set up 11 cultural institutions, and made decisions regarding appointment of trustees and office-bearers of these institutions. This made him an influential figure within MP. In 1980s, he gained national recognition, starting with the establishment of [[Bharat Bhavan]], which was inaugurated by prime minister [[Indira Gandhi]]. Vajpeyi lost his powerful position in MP, when Congress' rival [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] came to power in the state. In 1990, the [[Sunder Lal Patwa ministry (1990–92)|Sunder Lal Patwa government]] transferred him to the state Revenue Board.<ref name="Outlook_1995">{{cite journal |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/the-literary-mafia/200102 |title=The Literary Mafia |author=Amit Prakash and Y. P. Rajesh |journal=Outlook |date=1 November 1995 }}</ref><br />
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Over the years he served Secretary of Culture, Union [[Ministry of Culture (India)|Ministry of Culture]], and as Vice-Chancellor, [[Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya]]; trustee, [[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]] ([[IGNCA]]); member, [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations]] ([[ICCR]]), and executive board member of the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]].<ref name=hindu>{{cite news |title=Ashok Vajpeyi Lalit Kala Akademi pro-tem chief |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/23/stories/2008022357390100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227222401/http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/23/stories/2008022357390100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 February 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=23 February 2008 }}</ref> He has won the Dayavati Modi Kavi Shekhar Samman, 1994, and the Kabir Samman (2006).<ref name=hindu/> His work has been translated into many Indian languages, besides in English, French, and Polish.<ref name=wlt>{{cite web |title=Play: Ashok Vajpeyi|url=http://www.ou.edu/worldlit/11_2010/vajpeyi.html |publisher=[[World Literature Today]], [[University of Oklahoma]] }}</ref> After being appointed a pro-tem Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi India's National Academy of Arts, he was subsequently appointed as its regular chairman, in April 2008, till December 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ashok Vajpeyi becomes chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=37735 |date=22 April 2008 |publisher=Ministry of Culture}}</ref><br />
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After his retirement from IAS, he has lived in Delhi.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arty soul: Lalit Kala Akademi Chairman Ashok Vajpeyi..|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/12/24/stories/2010122450810500.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125121959/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/12/24/stories/2010122450810500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 January 2013 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=24 December 2010 }}</ref><br />
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==Protest and return of awards==<br />
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On 7 October 2015 it was reported that Vajpeyi returned his [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] supporting "the right to dissent" and protesting recent murders of writers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/after-nayantara-sahgal-ashok-vajpeyi-returns-sahitya-akademi-award/story-pn50XQ2QGW5kU3mnH30GPO.html|title=Now, Ashok Vajpeyi returns Sahitya Akademi award, slams PM Modi|publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]| date=7 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sahitya-akademi-awardee-ashok-vajpeyi-on-why-they-returned/article7743868.ece?ref=relatedNews|title=Why we returned Sahitya Akademi awards|work=[[The Hindu]]| date=10 October 2015}}</ref> On 20 January 2016, Ashok decided to return [[D.Litt]]. given to him by [[University of Hyderabad]] in protest against the "[[Anti-Dalit]]" attitude of authorities which has allegedly driven a Dalit student [[Rohith Vemula]] to commit suicide.<ref>{{cite web|title=Writer Ashok Vajpeyi returns D Litt degree in protest against Rohith Vemula's suicide|date=19 January 2016 |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/awardwapsi-returns-writer-ashok-vajpeyi-returns-d-litt-degree-in-protest-against-rohith-vemulas-suicide_1846897.html|publisher=[[Zeenews.com]]|access-date=20 January 2016}}</ref><br />
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==Works==<br />
* ''Kahin Nahin Vahin'' (Hindi). [[Rajkamal Prakashan]]. {{ISBN|81-267-0547-7}}.<br />
* ''Jo Nahin Hai'' (Hindi). Kitabghar Prakashan, 1996. {{ISBN|81-7016-349-8}}.<br />
* ''Seediyan Suroo Ho Gayee Hain'' (Hindi). Vani Prakashan, 1996. {{ISBN|81-7055-498-5}}.<br />
* ''Ek Patang Anant Mein'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|81-267-1047-0}}.<br />
* ''Samay Ke Pass Samay'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|81-7178-972-2}}.<br />
* ''Kavita Ka Galpa'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|81-7119-272-6}}.<br />
* ''Dukh Chitthirasa Hai'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|978-81-267-1506-0}}.<br />
* ''Umang'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|81-267-0979-0}}.<br />
* ''Pao Bhar Jeera Mein Brahambhoj'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|81-267-0533-7}}.<br />
* ''Kuch Purvgrah'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|81-267-0546-9}}.<br />
* ''Sanshaya Ke Saaye'' (Hindi). Bhartiya Jnanpith. {{ISBN|81-263-1417-6}}.<br />
* ''Kavita Ka Janpad'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|81-7119-116-9}}.<br />
* ''Ujala Ek Mandir Banati Hai'' (Hindi). Rajpal And Sons, {{ISBN|81-7028-631-X}}.<br />
* ''Avignon''. Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|81-7178-431-3}}.<br />
* ''Punarwasu (S.)'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|978-81-267-1454-4}}.<br />
* ''Kuchh Rafoo Kuchh Thigare'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|81-267-0846-8}}.<br />
* ''Vivaksha'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|81-267-1199-X}}.<br />
* ''Anyatra'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|978-81-267-2029-3}}<br />
* ''Kabhi Kabhar'' (Hindi). Vani, 2000. {{ISBN|81-7055-716-X}}.<br />
* ''Bahuri Akela'' (Hindi). Vani, 2005.<br />
* ''Ab Yahan Nahin'' (Hindi). Penguin, 2011. {{ISBN|978-0-14-310160-4}}.<br />
;Anthology<br />
* ''Pratinidhi Kavitayen : Ashok Vajpeyi'' (Hindi). Rajkamal Prakashan. {{ISBN|978-81-7178-704-3}}.<br />
* "Din firne wale hai" : Ashok Vajpeyi<br />
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As a translator, he collaborated with {{ill|Renata Czekalska|pl|Renata Czekalska}} to translate from Polish into Hindi the works of four major Polish poets: [[Czesław Miłosz]], [[Wisława Szymborska|W. Szymborska]], Z. Herbert and T. Rozewicz.<ref name=jailit/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Czekalska|first=Renata|title=Lista publikacji|url=https://orient.uj.edu.pl/documents/20745011/0/Czekalska_Lista%20publikacji.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114211751/https://orient.uj.edu.pl/documents/20745011/0/Czekalska_Lista%20publikacji.pdf|archive-date=2021-11-14|access-date=2021-11-14|website=orient.uj.edu.pl|language=pl}}</ref><br />
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== References ==<br />
<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
* [http://www.littlemag.com/bloodsport/ashokvajpeyi.html They were here] The Little Magazine<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [http://www.kavitakosh.org/kk/index.php?title=%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%80 Ashok Vajpeyi, poetry (Hindi)] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130415074640/http://www.kavitakosh.org/kk/index.php?title=%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%80 |date=15 April 2013 }} at Kavita Kosh<br />
* {{cite news |title=Cultural crusader |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120429/spectrum/book8.htm |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=29 April 2012}}<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120210132643/http://outlookindia.com/peoplehome3.aspx?pid=5409&amp;author=Ashok+Vajpeyi Columns by Ashok Vajpeyi] at [[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]<br />
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{{Sahitya Akademi Award For Hindi}}<br />
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[[Category:Hindi-language poets]]<br />
[[Category:Indian literary critics]]<br />
[[Category:Hindi-language Indian writers]]<br />
[[Category:1941 births]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Writers from Delhi]]<br />
[[Category:Indian art critics]]<br />
[[Category:St. Stephen's College, Delhi alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Indian civil servants]]<br />
[[Category:Indian male essayists]]<br />
[[Category:Indian columnists]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian translators]]<br />
[[Category:Translators to Hindi]]<br />
[[Category:Translators from Polish]]<br />
[[Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Hindi]]<br />
[[Category:Indian arts administrators]]<br />
[[Category:Indian male poets]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian essayists]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian poets]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]</div>CleanupBot