Remembering Rituraj, the king of seasons who eulogised of falling leaves

Rituraj, the celebrated Hindi poet known for his deep connection to seasons and rural life, passed away on October 26 at the age of 86. Born in Bharatpur on Vasant Panchami, the festival marking the beginning of spring, Rituraj earned his name from this very season, despite writing extensively about autumn and the unnoticed falling leaves.

His poetry, often described as "unburdened by cosmopolitan pressures," offered a fresh perspective on Indian society and rural life through the lens of Bhil and Muria tribal people. Rituraj's career spanned decades, teaching English at colleges across Rajasthan and writing poetry that blended Hindi and English. Despite living away from urban centers, his legacy lives on as new generations of children read his work and discover new meanings in the Hindi alphabet's 'ऋ' (ri).