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Phanishwarnath Renu: An author who sided with the oppressed

Phanishwarnath Renu was among the few authors with a deep understanding of how casteism pervades Indian society and how it relates to certain communities monopolizing agricultural land. His works clearly demonstrate that he firmly stood by the oppressed, writes Kaushal Kumar Patel

Based on their understanding of the past and the present, experienced, far-sighted authors are often able to accurately depict the future in their works. Phanishwarnath Renu, a man of many talents and an excellent portrayer of rural life, had this quality, too. He had done an in-depth study of rural society, which was in the middle of a transition. He had lived through the Quit India Movement of 1942 and had carved out a niche for himself as a revolutionary thinker and writer in the early years of Independence. Renu stayed abreast of the socio-economic changes sweeping through north India, Nepal, some parts of east India and the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). In some cases, he was also directly or indirectly involved in these developments.

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About The Author

Kaushal Kumar Patel

Kaushal Kumar Patel teaches Hindi literature in Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru and is a PhD scholar in Jain Deemed-to-be-University, Bengaluru. He hails from Bihar’s Vaishali district.

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