Lakshmi Narayan Sudhanshu

Laxmi Narayan Sudhanshu (1906–1974) was an Indian writer, litterateur, poet, independent activist and political leader. He won the 1952 Bihar Legislative Assembly election from an assembly seat in Purnia. He also held the post of Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly from 1962 to 1967. Sudhanshu is known for actively participating in the Quit India Movement in 1942. He was imprisoned in Bhagalpur jail by the Britishers.

Biography Early life and education Lakshmi Narayan Sudhanshu was born on 15 December 1906 to Thakur Dhanpat Singh Bundela of Chandwa Rupaspur and his wife Mata Godavri Devi in Dhamdaha sub-division of Purnia district. In 1934, he did MA in Hindi from Kashi University. In 1962, he earned a degree of D. Litt from Bhagalpur University.

Career His first published novel was Matriprem. He was elected an MLA in 1952 after winning an assembly seat in Purnia. In 1962, he was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha and held the position from 15 March 1962 to 15 March 1967. He also played an active role in the freedom struggle movement. In 1955, he established Kala Bhavan to promote literature, art and culture in Purnia.

Death He died in Patna, Bihar, on 7 April 1974.

Commemoration A biography book, Laxminarayan Sudhanshu Vyaktitva Aur Kratitiva (Laxminarayan Sudhanshu Personality and Works), was published in 2009 and written by Vanshidhar Singh. The Government of Bihar State has constituted an award after him, called Laxmi Narayan Sudhanshu Prize, which is given to scholars who published Research papers related to the Hindi language and literature.

Books Matriprem Kavya Me Abhivyanjanavad Jeewan Ke Tattv Aur Kavya Ke Siddhant Hindi Sahitya Ka Brihat Itihas, Nagari Pracharini Sabha, Kashi Pracheen Bharatiya Arya Raj Vans Avantika (as magazine editor) Bhatruprem Gulab Ki Kaliyan Rasrang