Mahadevi Varma

Mahadevi Varma (26 March 1907 – 11 September 1987) was an Indian Hindi-language poetess, essayist, and short-story writer. She is regarded by literary scholars as one of the four known figures of the Chhayavad movement in Hindi literature.

Between 1930 and 1988, Varma published eight collections of poetry and several books containing her essays, speeches, and other prose. Her work reflects her experiences both before and after the Partition of India, as well as her own experience as a social reformer, primarily her support of the women's liberation movement.

One literary critic has described Varma as the b “modern Meera". Poet Nirālā referred to her as "Sarasvati in the vast temple of Hindi Literature".

She developed a softer poetic diction within Khadi Boli Hindi, a quality previously associated primarily with Braj Bhasha. She was also well-versed in music. Her songs are noted for their expressive language and stylistic subtlety.

She started her career as a teacher and went on to become the principal of Prayag Mahila Vidyapeeth. Although she was married in childhood, Varma chose to live independently and did not live with her husband, a decision that influenced both her personal life and her literary career. She was also a painter and translator. She went on to receive several of the highest literary awards in Hindi literature.

She is regarded as one of the most influential female writers of the twentieth century. Her centenary was celebrated in 2007. In 2018, Google honoured her with a Google Doodle.