23rd September — the birthday of one of the brightest luminaries in Indian literature, Dr Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. Poet, scholar, writer, philosopher — he was all of these and more. Revered as the Rashtriya Kavi (National Poet) of Hindi literature, Dinkar was not merely a craftsman of words; he was a sculptor of Indian consciousness, a steadfast guardian of culture, and a devoted seeker of human values.
On this day of remembrance, one cannot help but recall the legendary Mushaira at the Red Fort — an incident that was far more than a passing moment in history. It was an immortal testament to Dinkar’s unshakeable faith in the power of Indian art and culture.
A Pure Moment in History — On the Steps of the Red Fort
At a grand Mushaira held in Delhi’s Red Fort, the foremost poets and litterateurs of the nation had gathered. Among the distinguished guests was the then Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. As the guests ascended the steps, Dr Dinkar walked just behind Nehru.
Suddenly, Nehru slipped slightly on one of the steps, momentarily losing balance. In an instant, Dinkarji reached out and steadied him. Regaining his composure, Nehru expressed his gratitude.
And it was then that Dinkar uttered those unforgettable words — words that have since become eternal in the annals of Indian culture:
“Panditji, there is no need to thank me. Remember — whenever Indian politics loses its balance, its art and culture will always rise from behind to steady it.”
What profound truth and cultural confidence resided in that simple remark! It was not merely the humility of a poet; it was the firm proclamation of a cultural sentinel — that art and literature remain the final refuge of a society’s moral integrity.
Dinkar’s Literature: A Fusion of Fire and Nectar
Dinkar’s creations — Urvashi, Parashuram, Kurukshetra, Rashmirathi — are not mere literary works; they are vast epics of Indian history, mythology, social consciousness, and human struggle. His language could blaze like fire or flow like a serene river — at times rebellious, at times profoundly philosophical.
He believed that:
“Art does not merely adorn society; when necessary, it saves it.”
And indeed, the episode at the Red Fort was the living embodiment of that belief.
A Question for Our Time: Are We Upholding That Responsibility?
Times change. Societies evolve. Politics transforms.
But does the responsibility of art and culture ever truly change?
Dinkar reminded us long ago:
“When politics stumbles, it is art and culture that lift it back up.”
And so, the question stands today —
Are India’s artists and cultural workers still fulfilling that role?
And in Bangladesh, are our poets, musicians, dramatists, and writers able to stand as the conscience of society when it falters?
The truth is undeniable — culture remains indispensable.
Yet to awaken its true strength requires free thought, moral courage, and an enduring sense of social duty — virtues Dinkar embodied throughout his life.
To Remember Dinkar is to Remember Our Responsibility
To honour Dr Ramdhari Singh Dinkar on his birthday is not merely to pay tribute, but to accept the responsibility his words demand of us. History may forgive forgetfulness, but it never forgets this truth:
Through every storm of political turmoil, art and culture remain the final sanctuary of humankind.
Dinkar taught us —
The voice of an artist can be silenced, but never his spirit.
When politics goes astray, literature lights the way.
And it is culture that keeps a nation within the borders of civilisation.