Hindi Literary Critic Virendra Yadav Dies in Lucknow
Renowned Hindi critic Virendra Yadav passed away on Friday. He was 76 years old. Yadav suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence in Indiranagar, Lucknow. His death leaves a significant void in India's literary and intellectual circles.
A Life Dedicated to Progressive Thought
Virendra Yadav was born in 1950 in Jaunpur district. He completed his MA in political science from Lucknow University. From his student days, he actively participated in left-wing intellectual and cultural movements. Yadav served as secretary of the Progressive Writers' Association for many years. He also edited the magazine ‘Prayojan'.
His writings focused sharply on debates surrounding Premchand and the discourse on the 1857 Uprising. Several of his articles were translated into English and Urdu. In 2001, he received the Devishankar Awasthi Award for his contributions to literary criticism.
Yadav is survived by his wife Kusum Yadav, son Navengit, daughter Priyanka, and daughter-in-law Shruti.
Colleagues and Friends Express Profound Grief
Purushottam Agrawal, former member of the UPSC Board and ex-professor at JNU, expressed deep sorrow. He said, "We have lost an important voice in the Hindi literary world, especially in fiction. Virendra Yadav was a pillar of the progressive writers' movement. His commitment to democratic values and a progressive worldview was unwavering."
Agrawal added that Yadav was not just a critic but a public intellectual and social activist. He always stood against sectarian and communal tendencies. "His demise is a personal loss. Our disagreements were an intellectual challenge I enjoyed. We first met in 1986 and maintained a relationship of mutual respect," Agrawal stated.
Prof Nadeem Hasnain, former head of Lucknow University's anthropology department, shared memories of a friendship spanning over 50 years. "We met during our university days. Though we pursued different academic paths, we always shared our writings. His sudden death means we lost not only an eminent literary personality but also a committed secularist and Marxist thinker," Hasnain said.
He added, "Our ideological affinities and intimate friendship kept us close. I will miss him every day."
A Vacuum in Intellectual and Social Spheres
Former vice-chancellor of Lucknow University, Prof Roop Rekha Verma, noted the profound impact of Yadav's passing. "The sudden departure of Virendra Yadav leaves a great vacuum on both intellectual and social planes. His advocacy for equal rights, plurality, and human empathy made an indelible mark. He criticized vague stands on social structure with clarity," Verma emphasized.
Renowned Hindi poet and former civil servant Ashok Vajpeyi said, "We have lost a writer of deep insight and commitment. He was sharp and candid. Often, he stood alone in his dissidence but possessed great courage of conviction. His rigor and devotion to literature as a social force earned him wide respect. The literary community will miss him greatly."
Legacy of Dialogue and Ideology
Sanjay Srivastava, provincial general secretary of the Progressive Writers Association in UP, stated simply, "His absence will always be felt in the world of literature."
Shahzad Rizvi, provincial general secretary of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) UP, highlighted Yadav's enduring influence. "His books will continue to guide us. We must carry forward the ideology of debate and dialogue he established through his unique tradition," Rizvi affirmed.
The passing of Virendra Yadav marks the end of an era for progressive Hindi literature. His contributions as a critic, intellectual, and activist remain a guiding light for future generations.
