Om Prakash Sharma (writer)
Om Prakash Sharma | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Writer, Novelist |
| Notable works | Nili Ghodi ka Sawar, Pishach Sundari, Phir Aaya Toofan, Doosra Taj Mahal, Apne Desh ka Ajnabi |
Om Prakash Sharma (Hindi: ओम प्रकाश शर्मा, (December 25, 1920– October 20, 1998) was a renouned writer of Hindi detective novels. In India, after Devaki Nandan Khatri he is generally recognized as the foremost talented Hindi detective writer during the twentieth century.
Popularly known as Janpriya Lekhak Om Prakash Sharma was a detective novelist who wrote more than 400 hindi detective novels.
Early years
Born in Meerut, eldest son to Shiv Charan, was born in Meerut, later moved to Delhi. he was employed with the Delhi Cloth Mill (DCM) and lived at a rented house in Pahari Dheeraj. An evid reader, he had an equal interest of writing. There he wrote many short stories for small pocket book organisations as well his own venture Delhi Pustak Sadan, with his friends and associates.
The DCM working period
A very thoughtful erudite mind and a person of moral values, he worked for DCM and participated in trade union activities. The socialist and communist views inspired him and he joined the Indian Freedom Struggle and was jailed twice by the then British Raj for his involment in the freedom movement. During the period he began writing.His passion for writing develped from his obsession of reading. He was an ardent fan of Sharat Chandra Chatterji. Though he wrote populist detective novels but had the acumen of contemporary and historical literature. Alongwith detective novels he also wrote books of social relevances and historical inscriptions. In a short span, the talent bore fruit. His novels had created a momentum in the contemporary readers. Late in 1965 he shifted to Meerut, his native place, to have some peace for writing.
Writing style
What distinguished him was his manner of creating a suspense and interest in the script through actual incidents on one hand, as well as imagination on the the other hand thereby creating a curosity in the readers mind as to what shall happen next. The main charaters of his writing include Rajesh, Jagat, Jayant, Jagan, Gopali, Bandook Singh, Chief Chakravarti, Bhuvan, Father William and many more.
He authored some 4 or 5 novels featuring 'Bhootnath' as his tribute to the legendary Devak Nandan Khatri.He also named his imaginary colony, official residence of perosennels of " Kendriya Khufia Vibhag" as "Bhootnath Colony".[1]
In his social attributions he wrote against social oppression. In his historical inscriptions, Neeli Ghodi Ka Sawar, Phir aaya Toofan, were very famed.
After writing for many publishing houses, he started to write for his own publication Janpriya Prakashan ".[2] . Many of his novels were huge hit at the time of no television or any other communication medium. Though offered many times for writing for hindi films, he denied, as he apprhended the material life and loved his slow peacefuld but creative life.
Adaptation
Famous film producer Prakash Mehra's financer, Satyen Pal Chaudhary from Meerut, decided to make a film on his novel Dhadkan and invited him to Mumbai. He denied, but gave permission for the film since the film was being directed by Basu Chatterjee whom he highly admired. Chatterjee came to Meerut and narrated him the screenplay. [3] The feature film Chameli Ki Shaadi with Anil Kapoor in the lead role was made based on his novel, which use to come on TV channels.
Many more detective writers after his writing emerged like Surendra Mohan Pathak, Ved Prakash Sharma, Ved Prakash Kamboj, etc. and to many of whom he was freind, philospher & guide.
Throughout, his writings has served not only to entertain but also to instruct, inform or improve his readership and comment on the current situation and draw out a moral message for his readers.
He died on 14 October 1998 due after prolonged illness.
References
External links
- Om Prakash Sharma remembered by Yadavendra Sharma 'Chandra'[3]