Early Life:

Balkrishna Sharma was born on 8 December 1897 in Bhyana village in Madhya Pradesh. He completed his matriculation from Ujjai High School in 1917. Sharma studied Arts at Christ Church College in Kanpur.

 

Role in India’s Independence Movement:

Sharma began his political career while  he was still a final-year college student. He participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and dropped out of college (1921) to become involved in the freedom movement. Sharma was imprisoned by the British government six times (between 1921 and 1944), and was one amongst many of those declared as dangerous prisoners.

 

Contribution to Constitution Making:

Sharma was elected to the Constituent Assembly from the United Provinces through a Congress party ticket. Sharma intervened in debates around Article 18. He also spoke in favour translating the Draft Constitution to Hindi.

 

Later Contributions:

In the first General Elections, Balkrishna Sharma was elected to the  Lok Sabha from Kanpur constituency and he later became a member of the Rajya Sabha (1957). He was given the title ‘Lion of Kanpur’ for his oratory skills.

 

He served as a member of the Official Language Commission and the Cultural Delegation, which represented India in a number of European countries. In appreciation of his literary contributions he was awarded the Padma Bhushan.

 

Key Writings:

Sharma composed several poems when he was a student. Some of his renowned works include 'kumkum,' 'Rashmirekha,' 'Apalak,' 'Kwasi,' 'Vinoba Stavan,' and 'Urmila'. Gyanpeeth released a collection of his works titled 'Hum Vishpaee Janam Ke’ posthumously.