Naresh Pandey Chakor
Dr. Naresh Pandey Chakor was an Indian litterateur, editor, poet, and cultural activist from Bihar, India. He participated in the Angika language movement. He published and edited the Angika monthly magazine 'Ang Madhuri' for 46 years.
Early life and education
Naresh Pandey was born on 3 January 1938 in the village of Devdha, located approximately 15 kilometers south of Sultanganj in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar. His father was Shri Chandramohan Pandey, and his mother was Smt. Prajavati Devi.He received his early education in his village and nearby schools. He pursued higher education at Bhagalpur University.
Professional career and activism
Government service
In 1963, Pandey began his professional career in the government, joining the Bihar State Khadi Gramodyog Board, Patna, as a Statistical Officer. He served in this capacity until his retirement in 1996.Participating in the Angika Movement
Concurrent with his service, Pandey became deeply involved in the movement for the promotion and recognition of the Angika language:- In 1961 he started his journey in the Angika language movement by joining the 'Ang Bhasha Parishad' as a Publicity Minister.
- His first published work, the Angika one-act play "Kisan ka Jagaba", was released in 1961, marking it the first published book in the modern Angika language.
- In 1963, his Angika play Sarvoday Samaj became the first Angika book published by a government department.
Editor of ''Ang Madhuri''
He was the editor of the monthly magazine Ang Madhuri. Beginning its publication and editing in December 1970, he helmed the magazine for 46 years until his death. His dedication to this work is often highlighted by comparison to other impactful Indian editors: he edited Ang Madhuri for a duration, while Acharya Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi edited Saraswati for 18 years and Pandit Shri Ram Sharma edited Vishal Bharat for about two decades.Literary output and legacy
Pandey was a prolific writer, contributing extensively to both Angika and Hindi literature. He is credited with publishing a total of 80 books.Epithets and recognition
Due to his service and contributions, he was often referred to by fellow scholars and writers using several epithets, including:Cultural activism
He was a dedicated organizer and cultural activist. Under the auspices of the 'Jahnvi Angika Sanskriti Sansthan' in Patna, he annually organized the 'Angika Mahotsav'. He was known for his personal commitment, often carrying heavy boxes of Angika books on his head to ensure their exhibition at the festival.Scholarly focus
In addition to his independent works, he collaborated closely with Dr. Abhayakant Choudhary, co-writing and editing nine books that provided scholarly depth to the language, covering the history, rhetoric, emotional expression, and cultural study of Angika literature and folk songs. Furthermore, his legacy is underscored by the fact that nine books were written by various scholars specifically about his life and contributions.Death
Pandey 'Chakor' died in Patna on 14 November 2014.Selected bibliography
Pandey's bibliography spans various genres, including drama, poetry, cultural study, and translation:Plays and drama
Kisan ka Jagaba Ek Shaakh: Do Phool Sarvoday Samaj- ''Shri Ram Janmotsav''
Poetry and epics
Bhorka Lali Yayati Hamar Sankirtan Yatra Baba Thakur Sawan Saloni Milan Kisan: Desh ke Shaan- ''Bhakti Pushpanjali''
Novels and short stories
Vishakha Eblin Tilka Sundari Daar-Daar- ''Daan Ek Majboori''
Cultural and research works (solo/edited)
Angika Jatsaar Angika Aandolan ka ItihasAngika Lok SahityaAng Janpad Gaurav: Haldhar Baba Angjanpad Ke Vaivahik Vidhi Vidhan- ''Mahatma Bholi Baba: Bhola Ke Avatar''
Translations
Angika Gita Raghuvansham- ''Sukhla Gaachwala Jungle''
Works co-authored/edited with Dr. Abhayakant Choudhary
Angika Sahitya Ka Itihas Angika Kavya Mein Ras VyanjanaAngika Mein AlankarAngika Lokgeeton Ka Sanskritik Adhyayan- ''Angika Lohoikti Sangrah''