“A language survives not only in books, but in the hearts of the people who carry it forward.”
In the Calling India section, we bring you the inspiring journey of Raj Hiraman, a respected literary voice from Mauritius whose life reflects resilience, memory, and an enduring cultural bond with India. Descended from indentured labourers who arrived from Bihar nearly two centuries ago, Hiraman carries forward a powerful legacy, one in which Hindi survived across oceans through stories, songs, and the quiet determination of generations.
Early Life and Path to Literature
Born on January 11, 1953, in Triolet, Raj Hiraman grew up in modest circumstances that quietly shaped his character and worldview. In his early years, he worked as a mason and laborer, learning the dignity of hard work long before literature found its way into his life. He later served in the police force and eventually became a teacher in primary and middle schools. These varied roles kept him closely connected to the struggles, hopes, and everyday realities of ordinary people, experiences that later gave his writing its gentle emotional depth.
A transformative opportunity arose when Hiraman received journalism training in India under the esteemed editor Dharamvir Bharati at The Times of India. This experience opened doors to prominent Hindi publications, including Dharmayug, Sarika, Navbharat Times, Navneet, and Parag. Returning to Mauritius, he enriched national radio and television with cultural and Hindi content, later editing the Hindi weekly Swadesh. His serious literary career took root around 1996, in his mid-forties, when life’s maturity, shaped by professional journeys, personal joys, and profound loss, allowed him to write with greater depth and realism.
Literary Contributions and Continuing Mission
Raj Hiraman has built a significant literary legacy with over 25 published books, mostly in Hindi and a few in English. Though he writes in multiple genres, he identifies primarily as a poet. Notable works include:
- Poetry collections: Dharti Tale Aakash, Neha Ki Tidhi, Nami Meri Ankhein, Ujale Ka Andhera
- Short story collections: Katha Samvad, Ghaav Kare Gambhir
- Reflective work: Mauritius: Hindi Ka Aur Ek Desh
- Around 50 research papers presented in India and Mauritius
- Teaching creative writing at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute
- Serving as Senior Deputy Editor of the government Hindi journals Rimjhim and Vasant
His literary influences include Kabir, Tulsidas, Surdas, Premchand, Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh, Mahadevi Varma, and Suryakant Tripathi ‘Nirala’. The ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, who visited Mauritius in 1901, also shape his outlook, reinforcing his belief that Hindi represents heritage, identity, and cultural continuity.
Even in his seventies, Hiraman remains devoted to literature. He hopes to write around 50 books in his lifetime and continues working on poetry, stories, research, and a novel in progress. His writing reflects a lifelong commitment to preserving memory, culture, and the voice of Hindi beyond India.
Family and Personal Anchors
Behind Raj Hiraman’s literary journey stands the quiet strength of his family. He shared a deep bond with his late wife, whose love for literature and poetry became a constant source of inspiration. After her passing, he found solace in reading and writing. Their two daughters, now settled abroad after pursuing higher education, remain a source of pride. Living a reflective life in Triolet, Hiraman continues to draw emotional strength from these enduring family ties.
Exclusive Interview with Raj Hiraman
In a heartfelt conversation, Hiraman shares reflections on his life and work:
Question: When exactly did your literary journey begin?
Raj Hiraman: Around 1996, when I was past forty. Life’s experiences, including family joys, the support of my late wife, and raising our two daughters, had given me deep emotions and stories that naturally found expression in writing.
Question: Do you see yourself primarily as a poet or a storyteller?
Raj Hiraman: Primarily a poet. Poetry lets emotions flow directly to the reader’s heart. My wife often inspired those early verses, and even now, thoughts of family fuel my creative process.
Question: What role does Hindi play in contemporary Mauritian society?
Raj Hiraman: Hindi is central to our cultural identity, taught in schools and universities, tied to traditions and festivals. It keeps our Indian roots alive in our multicultural home, much like it did for my ancestors and continues to do for my daughters abroad.
Question: Which writers have influenced you the most?
Raj Hiraman: Kabir’s wisdom, Tulsidas and Surdas’s devotion, Premchand’s realism, and modern voices like Muktibodh, Mahadevi Varma, and Nirala. Their works resonate with the values my family instilled in me.
Question: What motivates you to keep writing even today?
Raj Hiraman: Writing lets me share memories, experiences, and human truths. My late wife’s encouragement, my daughters’ pride in our heritage, and the need to keep Hindi vibrant drive me, as long as inspiration flows, I must contribute.
Raj Hiraman’s story is one of enduring perseverance, personal depth, and cultural dedication. From humble beginnings in Triolet, marked by labor, love, loss, and family, to becoming a leading voice in global Hindi literature, he bridges diaspora heritage with creative expression. Through soul-stirring poetry, insightful stories, journalism, and scholarship, he has fortified Hindi beyond India’s borders. His life and work affirm that language thrives in the hearts of those who nurture it, through memory, family bonds, and unwavering commitment.
