Biography of Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh | Bahujan Sahitya

Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh

Personal Life & Educational Qualification

Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh 

Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh historian, Author, Linguist, Professor & Activist was born on January 5th, 1965 in Arang village, part of  Bihar province in the Rohtas District.

He was one of four beloved sons of Bhikhram Singh and did his schooling in his hometown. Later on, he studied & completed his graduation from Magadh University. His post-graduation degree from Gorakhpur University. Finally, he received his doctorate in Hindi language from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1994.

He got his first official job as a lecturer in Nir Kuvar Singh Vishwavidyalaya, Arrah Bihar. In the following years consequently got promoted to editor and later on as a faculty Professor at Shanti Prasad Jain Mahavidyalaya. He is an awardee of Dr George Grierson Award awarded by the Bihar government for his eminent contribution to the study of Languages.

Along with his spouse, Mrs Shashikala Prasad Singh, he has 3 daughters as their children. Mrs Singh was born in 1996 and also has a Doctorate in Hindi language.

His expertise

Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh was interested & invested in writing from very early on in his life. He wrote his very 1st book in class 3rd around when he was 9 years old. However, the work remained unpublished. Following the trail of his passion for writing, he then wrote his 2nd book in 7th standard/class named, ‘किस्मत का खेल’ (Kismat ka khel). His 3rd book which he completed when he was in 10th standard/class ‘चिंगारी’ (Chingari) also includes his poetic genius.

An excerpt from चिंगारी:

“शोषक वर्गों सावधान क्रांति का डंका बजा दूंगा,

समझा नहीं पागल मानुष तो लेखनी से आग लगा दूंगा,

मिली नहीं रुसनाई तो खून भरकर कलम चला दूंगा,

अन्य लक्ष्य को मुड़ी लेखनी तो ज़हर का घूंट पिला दूंगा।” 

From very early on, Dr Singh understood the existence of oppression and discrimination which plagued Indian society. He not only understood the complexities but also stood up against the oppressors of Indian society. Over the years his interest & fascination grew for linguistic studies. Now a pioneer of language & Bhojpuri grammar already. Therefore, knowing the history of India through the channel of languages is one of many qualities Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh’s works reflect.

Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh’s Important contributions

His first and following works/books on linguistics were published by India’s giant Hindi literature publishing house, Raj Kamal Prakashan.

His immediate command, love and interest in language dictionaries were developed after reading many detailed articles in Hindustan Newspaper.

He also read extensively another renowned Hindi literary novelist, critic & screenwriter Kamleshwar Prasad Saxena(1932-2007). Among other factors, Kamleshwar’s work in literature became the source of influence for Dr Singh to dwell into the realm of Literature and languages in depth.

However, during that time the availability of various dictionaries in languages such as Hindi, English, and Urdu was already flooded in book markets. So Dr Singh through his intellectual labour thought of creating a new World Record. For he wrote a dictionary of the Pali language in 95 different worldly languages including French, German, Russian, Chinese, Tamil, Kannada & so on. It took him around 15-16 years to complete these magnificent & highly rich vocab dictionaries which later got published in 2009.

The government of India asked him to write a dictionary in the Bhojpuri language. Bharatiya Janata Party, a political outfit of India and other governing authorities usually either quotes or refers from his Bhojpuri Dictionary in the parliament of India. As a Linguist he is the first scholar who challenges and questions the antiquity of Sanskrit language. He navigates through his writings on the history of India and the history of languages in India, to chart out the map of India’s heteroglossic past & legacy. Expertly, bringing out the findings of the Prakrit language as well as Buddhist discourse.

He has written plenty of books on language, literature & history from an Indian subaltern lens.

The branches of his intellectual work spread through other local languages in India. It covers Bhojpuri Grammar & linguistics as well.  

Furthermore, apart from his contribution to Linguistic studies & literature, he explored and thoroughly researched the local folk Dalit-OBC writer. His important benefaction in one of his works, आधुनिक भोजपुरी के दलित कवि और काव्य ( Adhunik Bhojpuri ke Dalit Kavi Aur Kavye) illustrates that he helped to bring forth & include the subaltern Dalit authors & poets into the mainstream academic spaces of University’s curriculum.

“हम लोग सैंकड़ों साल से आदि हो गए हैं। उसी एंगल से देखने के लिए जो दिखा दिया गया है…..

Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh is one of the first scholars who set – forth &  highlighted the Other Backward castes’ (OBC) discourse & literature in India. And helped to establish its due recognition among the reading populace of the nation. A pioneer of Bhojpuri language and literature, his intellectual contribution to the field of literature & languages is immense. Not only his contribution in producing highly vociferous literature/writing of the subalterns but also, by facilitating a whole language discourse for the revolution of subaltern mass and of the oppressed. His works serve their purpose not only in limited academic circles. Rather they try to act as more now the words & wisdom of the oppressed & toiled itself.  

“हम लोग वही समझते है जो अखबार, मीडिया और किताबे बता देती है, वे सेकंड हैंड नॉलेज हैं।”

His Works & Legacy: Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh’s Books

Interviewd by Rajat Mourya and Article Written By Shilpi Kishore.