Mahadevi Varma

Mahadevi Varma (26 March 1907 – 11 September 1987) was an Indian Hindi-language poet, essayist, short story writer, and an eminent personality of Hindi literature. She is considered one of the four major pillars of the Chhayawadi era in Hindi literature. She has also been addressed as the modern Meera. Poet Nirala once called her "Saraswati in the vast temple of Hindi Literature". Varma witnessed India before and after its independence. She was one of those poets who worked for the wider society of India. Her activities fostering social progress and women's welfare were depicted in her writings. These works, especially her anthology Deepshikha, greatly influenced both readers and critics.

She developed a soft vocabulary in the Hindi poetry of Khadi Boli, which previously was considered possible only in Braj Bhasha. She was also well-versed in music, and her songs were characterized by a tone that conveyed sharp expressions in a nuanced and euphemistic style. She started her career as a teacher and went on to become the principal of Prayag Mahila Vidyapeeth. Varma chose to live an ascetic life, despite being married. She was also a painter and translator. She received all the important awards in Hindi literature. As the most celebrated female writer of the last century, she remained highly revered. Her birth centenary was celebrated in 2007. Later, Google also celebrated this day through its Google Doodle.