Bharatendu Harishchandra (9 September 1850 – 6 January 1885) Regarded as the father of Hindi literature as well as Hindi theatre. He is considered as one of the greatest Hindi writers of modern India. . He authored several dramas, life sketches and travel accounts; a recognized poet, he was a trendsetter in Hindi prose-writing using new media like reports, publications, letters to the editor, translations and literary works to shape public opinion.
Writing under the pen name “Rasa”, Harishchandra represented the agonies of the people, country’s poverty, dependency, inhuman exploitation, the unrest of the middle class and the urge for the progress of the country. He was an influential Hindu “traditionalist”, using Vaishnava devotionalism to define a coherent Hindu religion
Pitamah Bhartendu Harishchandra