“Lucknow Hai To Mahez Gumbad-o Minar Nahi,
Sirf Ek Shaher Nahi Kucha-o Bazaar Nahi,
Iske Aanchal Mein Mohabbat Ke Phool Khilte Hai,
Iski Galiyon Mein Farishto Ke Pate Milte Hai” – Yogesh Praveen
Dr. Yogesh Praveen is the person known as living legend of Lucknow as well as Avadh, and its Culture, Literature & History. He is working for Lucknow which is universally famous for its rare culture and tradition, its lucid language, its delicacy of manners and etiquette, its harmonious society and unique lifestyle. He is an eminent writer, an imaginative, a story letter, a sensitive poet, an accomplished essayist and a lively orator. 75 years of live dedicated in Lucknow and still busy in writing books and poems. He was inspired from his mother, Late Mrs.Rama Srivastava who was an eminent poetess of her times.
His famous books include Dastan-e Avadh, Tajdar-e Avadh, Bahar-e Avadh, Gulistan-e Avadh, Doobta Avadh, Dastan-e Lucknow, Aapka Lucknow, Lucknow Monuments (English), Sahib-e Alam, etc. His poetic creations include Shabnam (Urdu), Peele Gulab (Urdu), Anjuman (Ghazals), Indra Dhanush (Geet) and Sumanhar. He got Bal Krishna Sharma Naveen Award for Mayur Pankh in 1973 and Tulsi Award of U.P. Hindi Sansthan for the book Aprajita.He had been a prominent writer for Dharmug Hindustan Sarika Kadambi, Navneet, Nandan and Editor of Lucknow Mahotsava`s magazine, Urmila for twenty five years. He has done so much work in Aakashvani for thirty five years as an expert talker in features and dramas. He has written in Television media and has done so much work in some of the famous documentaries and films. Films like Shatranj ke Khilari, Junoon, Umraojaan & Zahre Ishq are credited with his research. His songs are sung by some of the top singers of Bollywood, like Asha Bhosle, Sudha Malhotra, Anoop Jalota, Udit Narayan and Usha Amoukar, etc.His plays are still performed as stage shows, enticing and alluring people all over India. He is awarded Kala Sanskrit Samman in 1996 and Prasar Bharti Hindi Urdu Adab Award in1997. His other awards include U.P. Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1998), National Teachers Award (1999), U.P. Ratna Award (2000), Kala Bhushan Samman by U.P. govt., Hindi Sansthan (2002) and Yash Bharati Award (2006). Hem Anshu Sen, Hindi Lecturer of Lucknow University, has been awarded Ph.D. (2003) for the subject Yogesh Praveen with his creations.
Founder LUCKNOW Society met him recently at his home & discussed about his new projects and books on Avadh. LUCKNOW Society Salutes Dr Yogesh Praveen for being the living legend and a source of providing immense information about Avadh. He is now celebrating his 75th birthday and we wish him good health & success for his 100th birthday !
“Yeh Sach Hai Zinda-Dili Ki Koi Kitaab Hai Tu,
Adab Ka Husn-o Hunar Ka Haseen Shabab Hai Tu,
Sar-e Chaman Tera Jalwa Hai Woh Gulaab Hai Tu,
Lucknow Ab Bhi Duniya Mein Lajawaab Hai Tu” – Yogesh Praveen