Naresh Mehta

Naresh Mehta (15 February 1922 – 22 November 2000) was a Hindi writer, poet, and editor. He produced works in both prose and poetry, gaining widespread recognition primarily for his novels and poetic collections. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for his collection Aranya and received the prestigious Jnanpith Award in 1992 for his cumulative literary achievements between 1972 and 1991.

Early life and education Naresh Mehta was born on 15 February 1922 in Shajapur, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh. He completed his Master of Arts degree at Kashi Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, where he drew literary inspiration from scholars Keshav Prasad Mishra and Vishwanath Pratap Mishra.

Selected works Poetry collections and narrative poetry Banpakhi Suno (1957) Bolne Do Cheed Ko (1961) Mera Samarpit Ekant (1962) Sanshay Ki Ek Raat (1962) Mahaprasthan (1974) Pravad Parv (1977) Shabari (1977) Utsava (1979) Tum Mera Maun Ho (1982) Aranya (1985)

Novels Yeh Path Bandhu Tha Uttarkatha

Short story collections Tathapi Ek Samarpit Mahila

Plays Subah Ke Ghante Khandit Yatraen

Critical and philosophical essays Kavya Ka Vaishnav Vyaktitva Kavyatmakta Ka Dik Kaal

Other works Dubte Mastool Dhumketu: Ek Shruti Nadi Yashasvi Hai Do Ekant Pratham Phalgun Jalsaghar Sarovar Ke Phool Pichhli Raat Ki Baraf

Awards He received several literary awards, most notably the Sahitya Akademi Award in Hindi in 1988 for his poetry collection Aranya and the Jnanpith Award in 1992.