Introduction

For me, writing was never a subject of self-pleasure or self-satisfaction, nor something to do with fascination for words; my works are meant to convey to my readers the message that they should never feel lonely or helpless. - Chitra Mudgal

Chitra ji was born in Egmore, Chennai on the 10th of December 1943. Educated in Mumbai, she completed her M.A. in Hindi Literature from the S.N.D.T. University by Correspondence. 

She is one of the leading literary figures of modern Hindi literature. Her thematic variations and the use of colloquial language has been her mark of success.

Since her youth, she has lived and worked among the weaker sections of the society of all caste and creed. 

Her short stories are a window into the lives of the people living at the margins of the society. They deal with woman's search for her self identity, the plight and despair of the middle class and questions our hostility and indifference towards the struggles of the social outcasts.

Her novel ‘Avaan’, portraying the lives and times of the Trade Union Movement during the time of Datta Samant has been acknowledged by critics as a masterpiece of literary work and stands as a classic novel in Hindi Literature. 

Her novel Post Box No. 203 Naalasopara is a heart wrenching tale of a transgender boy, Vinod. A tale that gazes into the darkness of our hearts; a physical and social space of harrowing and horrendous suffering. A source of untold agonies and atrocities.

She is the first Indian woman to receive the coveted Vyas Samman for her novel Avaan.

In 2019 she was awarded India's highest literary award, the Sahitya Akademi, for her novel Post Box No. 203 Naalasopara.

...

Chitra Mudgal : A Multi-faceted Personality by Pallavi Dhyani (2003)

"I have always written freely on the subjects I feel strongly about. My aim is to depict reality as it is , not to paint one for the convenience of a reader's conscience."
- Chitra Mudgal

Rare is this amalgamation of gentle sensitivity, utter humility and such superior intellect. Probably her solace with her wonderful self is the reason behind the glowing radiance on the face of this 60-year old, which can put a thousand electric bulbs to shame. Meet the multi-faceted Chitra Mudgal, a renowned and respected figure in modern literature in Hindi, who is also a dedicated trade unionist, social activist, virtual mother to slum dwelling women and, at the same time, a doting housewife and mother. Probably it will be better to say that her wide spectrum of social work and her unflinching belief in "humanism defines the world-class writer in her.

Chitra ji's recent novel 'Aavaan'—meaning potter's kiln— is hailed as one of the greatest literary works in Hindi and brought her laurels from world over, through the symbolic kiln in which the earthen vessels are baked before- a few emerge as pieces of art, she has epitomized the struggle of factory workers and women in the socio-political make up of that time. The novel is an honest representation of her deep and long association with the trade union movement in India during the times of famous unionist Datta Samant. Such was the impact of this piece of literature that none other than the noted litterateur Girish Karnad, Director of Nehru Centre, went on record to quote that the book , deserves an international award analogous to the Booker Prize. 'Aavaan' deservingly brought Chitra ji the 'Indu Sharma Katha Samman' in 2000 by the South Asian Katha Group in London, 'Sahitya Kriti' award by Hindi Academy in 2000, 'Vir Singh Dev' award by Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Acedemy in 2002, and the 'Sahitya Bhushan Samman' by the Uttar pradesh Hindi Sansthan in 2000. She was also decorated with the Birla foundation's 'Vyas Samman', becoming the first woman to receive this prestigious award.
Chitra ji's other novel earning rave reviews, is "Gilligaddu", which is a story by a grandfather for his twin granddaughters. The issue of the rising loneliness among the senior citizens has been dealt with immense tenderness, while bringing out the stark indifference practised by the younger able-bodied generation. Chitra ji was honored with the Fanishwarnath Renu Sahitya Award for her novel 'Ek Zameen Apni' by the Gramin Vikas Sangathan in 1994. She has also been a recipient of numerous awards like the 'Preksha Award' (1986) for National Unity and Integration, Sahitya Kriti award (1986-87) for her story collection 'Is Hamam Mein' by the Hindi Academy, Bal Sahitya Award (1986-87) for children's book 'Jungle ka Raaj' by Hindi Academy, Raja Radhikaraman Prasad Award (1987) for 'Gyaraah Lambi Kahaniyaan' by Rajasthan Vibhag, Sahityakaar Samman (1995) by the Hindi Academy, Vidula Samman (2001) for the contribution to Social Services by Vikas Kaya Foundation, Kolkata.

Inspired by the works of Amritlal Nagar and Premchand, Chitra ji is fond of the writers in Agyeya, Muktibodh, Kamleshwar, Krishna Sobti, Pankaj Bisht and Geetanjalishree amongst others. Maxim Gorky's "Mother" and Earnest Hemmingway's "Old Men and the Sea" also left a lasting impression on her. She has written innumerable short stories, four novels which include, "Aavaan", "Gilligaddu", "Ek Zameen Apni" and "The Crusade"; three novels and four short story collections for children and a anthology of write ups. Her writings have been translated not only in other Indian languages but also in foreign languages like Italian, Czechoslovakian and German, among others. A lot of her stories have found their way into telefilms, feature films and television serials like "Ek Kahaani", "Majhdhaar" and "Rishtey". Her stories have also been included in the curriculum of NCERT Books and various national and international Universities. Being the true inspiration that she is and in the light of her vast continuum of work, it is no wonder that Chitraji is today the subject of thesis for about 27 Ph.D. and 32 M.Phil students.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to claim that Chitra ji is perhaps the only writer in the Capital today working for a social cause at the grassroots, serving the women and children of the weaker sections of the society with a mother's concern. A feminist with a firm belief in equal rights for women, she runs her own organization, Samanvay. Like her, the motto of her organization is also to awaken the sense of social responsibility among people. Chitra ji makes it clear that there is no political, financial or personal ambition associated with this organisation and that's the reason why she hasn't even got it registered. "Whoever is willing to work towards a cause, is welcome to walk along", she smiles. She is also associated with organizations like 'Stree Shakti' and the 'Manila Manch' of Uttar'Pradesh.
On being questioned whether the scope of a writer's work vista should be limited to his pen and paper, Chitra ji feels that writers need to go among people to understand their psyche better in order to create characters whom readers can identify with. "I share an affinity with my readers", she says, "The love and acclaim I get from them in the form of letters and phone calls is the driving force behind me".

Truly a woman of substance, even the worst of life's jokes could not deter Chitra ji from doing what she believes in. She lost her only daughter and son-in-law in a road accident couple of years ago. "I miss her", she mutters misty-eyed and then adds on a stronger note, "but I see my daughter in every young girl who is struggling to establish her existence and that gives me strength to pull myself and work harder to help as many as I can. There is a degree to which we can work, in our limited capacity, I try to maximize that degree as much as possible". Her husband Awadh Narain Mudgal, former Editor of 'Sarika', son, daughter-in-law and three cute little grandchildren, have staunchly supported Chitra ji's social missionary lifestyle throughout.

Presently, Chitra ji is working on her latest novel 'Ek Kaali, Ek Safed' (one black, one white) representing dices of the carom board. The novel is about the present system that exploits the people in general. Those who control the system are corrupt and criminal and the black dice represents them. "For more details, read the novel", she smiles flashing that charming smile and knowingly mouthing a writer's standard dialogue.

As she escorts me fully mesmerized to the door, a single thought takes me over completely; "Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing is so gentle as real strength". Believe me.