Bareilly, 30 June (HS): A

major step was taken on Tuesday to preserve the memory of Pandit Radheshyam

Kathavachak, a great playwright and renowned storyteller of Hindi literature

and folk theatre tradition. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unveiled a statue of

Pandit Radheshyam Kathavachak in the GIC auditorium. The auditorium was also

renamed Pt. Radheshyam Kathavachak Smriti Bhawan.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath began the program with the slogan Siyavar

Ramchandra ki Jai. He said that through his writings and storytelling,

Pandit Radheshyam worked to spread Indian culture, the Ramayana, and eternal

values to the masses. It is the responsibility of both society and the

government to honor such great literary and cultural figures.

The Chief Minister said, I am delighted to have the privilege of

unveiling the statue of the man whose stories we grew up listening to. He

added that only societies that respect and preserve their heritage can achieve

progress. Respect for heritage is the foundation of our progress.

He said that Maharishi Valmiki worked to unite society through the story of

Shri Ram. Tulsidas ji made people realize the power of Ram's name through

Ramcharitmanas. That tradition was carried forward in modern times by the

storyteller Pt. Radheshyam. His dialogues and compositions became the basis for

the Ramlila performance. He presented the Ramayana in simple language and a

folksy style, bringing it to the masses.

The Chief Minister said that Maharishi Valmiki in the Treta Yuga, Goswami Tulsidas

in the medieval period, and Pandit Radheshyam Kathavachak in the modern era

worked to unite society. It is our responsibility to express gratitude to such

great men who strengthened Sanatan culture.

He said that Pandit Radheshyam, the storyteller, died in 1983, but he never

received the recognition he deserved. He directed that Pandit Radheshyam's

residence be developed into a museum with the cooperation of the Tourism

Department. His works and memories should be preserved there, so that future

generations can learn about his contributions.

The program revealed that Pandit Radheshyam, the narrator, was born on November

25, 1890, in the Biharipur neighborhood of Bareilly city. His most famous work

is Radheshyam Ramayan, which he wrote in 25 volumes in Khari Boli

and folk theatre styles. This work, composed at the age of just 17, gained

nationwide popularity. During his lifetime, more than 2.75 million copies of it

were published in Hindi and Urdu.

Pandit Radheshyam, the narrator, was invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan by the then

President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, to listen to the Ram Katha. During the

fundraising for the establishment of Banaras Hindu University, he also donated

his annual income to Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya.

Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, Livestock Minister Dharampal Singh, Forest

Minister Dr. Arun Kumar, Cooperation Minister JPS Rathore, Mayor Dr. Umesh

Gautam, MP Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar, MLA Sanjeev Agarwal along with

administrative officers and a large number of citizens were present in the

program.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi