TomOcampo9313 at 22:13, 3 September 2025

2025-09-03T22:13:35Z

New page

{{Short description|Hindi language humorist and satirist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{infobox writer 
| name = Harishankar Parsai
| image =
| caption = Picture artificially generated by NightCafe Creators.
| birth_date = {{birth date|1924|08|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Hoshangabad District|Jamani]], [[Central Provinces and Berar]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1995|08|10|1924|08|22|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Jabalpur]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]
| occupation = [[Writer]], [[satirists|satirist]]
| signature =
| spouse =
| language = [[Modern Standard Hindi|Modernized Hindi]], [[Urdu]]
| nationality = [[India]]n
| birth_name =
| citizenship = [[Hindustan]]i
| education = [[Nagpur University]]
| relatives = Father- Jumak Lalu Prasad
Mother- Champa Bai
| awards = [[Sahitya Akademi Award]],1982
| notable_works = Viklaang Shraddhaa ka daur (विकलांग श्रद्धा का दौर)
Pavitrata Ka Daura (पवित्रता का दौरा)
}}

'''Harishankar Parsai''' (22 August 1924 – 10 August 1995) was an Indian writer who wrote in [[Hindi]]. He was a noted satirist and humorist of modern [[Hindi literature]] and is known for his simple and direct style.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shalkee |title=In pursuit of Parsai |url=https://www.asianage.com/life/more-features/290619/in-pursuit-of-parsai.html |website=The Asian Age |date=29 June 2019 |access-date=6 January 2023}}</ref> He wrote [[vyangya]] (satire), which described human values and nature. They reflected his critical thinking and humorous way of describing simple things with huge meanings. Parsai won the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] in 1982, for his satire, ''Viklaang Shraddha ka daur''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harishankar Parsai |url=https://prasarbharati.gov.in/harishankar-parsai/ |website=Prasar Bharti |publisher=All India Radio |access-date=6 January 2023}}</ref>

== Biography ==
He was born in Jamani village near [[Itarsi]] in [[Hoshangabad district]], Madhya Pradesh. He completed his M.A. in Hindi from [[Nagpur University]]. After pursuing writing along with his service for some time, he quit his job and took writing as a full-time career.He was born on 22 August 1924

He settled in [[Jabalpur]] and started a literature magazine called ''Vasudha''. Despite it being highly praised, he had to stop the magazine after the publication suffered economic losses.<ref>Date of birth 22 August 1924, per Manas Publishing, in Inspector Matateen on The Moon</ref> Hari Shankar Parsai used to give answers of readers in a column "Poochhiye Parsai Se" in a Hindi newspaper [[Deshbandhu (newspaper)|''Deshbandhu'']] published from [[Raipur]] and Jabalpur. He won [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] in 1982, for his satire, "Viklaang Shraddha Ka Daur" 'विकलांग श्रद्धा का दौर'.<ref name="sahitya">[http://www.sahitya-akademi.org/sahitya-akademi/awa10306.htm#hindi Awards 1955–2007] [[Sahitya Akademi]] Official website.</ref>

Parsai died on 10 August 1995 in Jabalpur. According to ''[[The Hindu]]'', by the

==Awards==

*[[Sahitya Akademi Award]] (1982) <ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HnJDAAAAYAAJ Link, Volume 25, Issue 3]</ref>
*Sharad Joshi Award (1992) <ref>Know Your State - Madhya Pradesh, p. 353</ref>

==Works ==

;Satires
*Viklaang Shraddhaa ka daur (विकलांग श्रद्धा का दौर)
*Do Naak Waale Log (दो नाक वाले लोग)
*Aadhyaatmik Paagalon Ka Mishan (आध्यात्मिक पागलों का मिशन)
*Kraantikaaree Kee Katha (क्रांतिकारी की कथा)
*Pavitrata Ka Daura (पवित्रता का दौरा)
*Pulis-Mantree Ka Putala (पुलिस-मंत्री का पुतला)
*Vah Jo Aadamee Hai Na (वह जो आदमी है न)
*Naya Saal (नया साल)
*Ghaayal Basant (घायल बसंत)
*Sanskrti (संस्कृति)
*Baaraat Kee Vaapasee (बारात की वापसी)
*Greeting Kaard Aur Raashan Kaard (ग्रीटिंग कार्ड और राशन कार्ड)
*Ukhde Khambhe (उखड़े खंभे)
*Sharm Kee Baat Par Taalee Peetana (शर्म की बात पर ताली पीटना)
*Pitane-Pitane Mein Phark (पिटने-पिटने में फर्क)
*Badachalan (बदचलन)
*Ek Ashuddh Bevakooph (एक अशुद्ध बेवकूफ)
*Bhaarat Ko Chaahie Jaadoogar Aur Saadhu (भारत को चाहिए जादूगर और साधु)
*Bhagat Kee Gat (भगत की गत)
*Mundan (मुंडन)
*Inspektar Maataadeen Chaand Par (इंस्पेक्टर मातादीन चांद पर)
*Khetee (खेती)
*Ek Madhyamavargeey Kutta (एक मध्यमवर्गीय कुत्ता)
*Sudaama Ka Chaaval (सुदामा का चावल)
*Akaal Utsav (अकाल उत्सव)
*Khatare Aise Bhee (खतरे ऐसे भी)
*Kandhe Shravanakumaar Ke (कंधे श्रवणकुमार के)
*Das Din Ka Anashan (दस दिन का अनशन)
*Apeel Ka Jaadoo (अपील का जादू)
*Bheden Aur Bhediye (भेड़ें और भेड़िये)
*Bus ki Yatra (बस की यात्रा)
*Torch Bechnewale (टार्च बेचनेवाले)

;Essays
*Aavaara Bheed Ke Khatare (आवारा भीड़ के खतरे)
*Aisa Bhee Socha Jaata Hai (ऐसा भी सोचा जाता है)
*Apni apni Beemari (अपनी अपनी बीमारी)
*Maatee Kahe Kumhaar Se (माटी कहे कुम्हार से)
*Kaag Bhagoda (काग भगोड़ा)
*Sadāchār Kā Taabij (सदाचार का तावीज़)
*Premchand Ke Phaté Jootey (प्रेमचंद के फटे जूते) ({{Audio|Premchand_Ke_Fate_Joote_प्रेमचन्द_के_फटे_जूते_-_NCERT.ogg|Listen|help=no}})
*Vaishnav Ki Fislan (वैष्णव की फ़िसलन)
*Thithurtā Huā Ganatantra (ठिठुरता हुआ गणतन्त्र)
*Pagadandiyon Ka Zamaana (पगडंडियों का ज़माना)
*Shikayat Mujhe bhi hai (शिकायत मुझे भी है)
*Tulaseedaas Chandan Ghisain (तुलसीदास चन्दन घिसैं)
*Ham Ek Umr Se Vaaqif Hain (हम एक उम्र से वाक़िफ़ हैं)
*Tab Kee Baat Aur Thee (तब की बात और थी)
*Bhoot Ke Paon Peeche (भूत के पाँव पीछे)
*Beeemaanee Kee Parat (बेईमानी की परत)

;Short stories
*Jaisé Unké Din Firé (जैसे उनके दिन फिरे) (Short Story Collection)
*Bholārām kā Jeev (भोलाराम का जीव)
*Hanste Hai Rote Hai (हँसते हैंं रोते हैंं) (Short Story Collection)

;Children's literature
*Chuha Aur Mein (चूहा और मैं)

;Letters
*Mayaram Surjan (मायाराम सुरजन)

;Novels
*Jwala Aur Jal (ज्वाला और जल)
*Tat Ki Khoj (तट की खोज)
*Rani Naagphani Ki Kahani (रानी नागफनी की कहानी)

;Memoirs
*Tirchchi Rekhayein (तिरछी रेखाएं)
*Marna Koi Haar Nahi Hoti (मरना कोई हार नहीं होती)
*Seedhe-Sade Aur Jatil Muktibodh (सीधे-सादे और जटिल मुक्तिबोध)

;Anecdotes
*Chande Ka Dar (चंदे का डर)
*Apna-Paraya (अपना-पराया)
*Daanee (दानी)
*Rasoi Ghar Aur Paikhana (रसोई घर और पैखाना)
*Sudhaar (सुधार)
*Samjhauta (समझौता)
*Yas Sir (यस सर)
*Ashleel (अश्लील)

== Bibliography ==

* A collection of 21 selected stories translated into English by [[C. M. Naim]] was published in 1994: ''Inspector Matadeen on the Moon'' (Manas Books, Chennai). It was reprinted in 2003 by Katha Press, New Delhi.<ref>{{OL author}}</ref>
* Several stories and essays, like ‘Baarat Kee Waapsi’ and ‘Premchand Ke Phaté Jootey’, are also part of the school curriculum in Central Board of Secondary Education and available in NCERT books.

== In popular culture ==
''Parsai Kehate Hain'' is an Indian television show which adapted several works of Harishankar Parsai into episodic stories aired on [[DD National]] in the early 2000s.<ref>{{cite book|date=2008|title=परसाई कहते हैं|publisher=Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan Archives|oclc=857779416 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}<ref>{{cite news |last=PTI |title=Writer of readers, not of rulers: 100 years on, master of satire Harishankar Parsai lives on through his writings |work=Hindustan Times |date=21 August 2024 }}</ref>Harishankar Parsai (22 August 1924<ref>... </ref> – 10 August 1995) was ...

==External links==
* {{OL author|id=4207774A}}
*{{ISFDB name}}

{{Sahitya Akademi Award For Hindi}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Parsai, Harishankar}}
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:1995 deaths]]
[[Category:Hindi-language writers]]
[[Category:People from Hoshangabad district]]
[[Category:People from Jabalpur]]
[[Category:Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Hindi]]
[[Category:Writers from Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian satirists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian short story writers]]

Harishankar Parsai - Revision history

TomOcampo9313 at 22:13, 3 September 2025