Sri Shirish Kumar Maurya is a very renowned Hindi poet and critic. He has been editing and publishing an important online magazine named Anunad (anunad.com) for the last 17 years. His early life was spent in Naugaonkhal, a remote village in Uttarakhand’s Shivalik mountain range, where he gained an insight of regular people’s lives, rural areas and their problems, and a deep relationship with nature, all of which helped shape his lyrical personality. Shirish is a poet who embodies current ideas with a scientific perspective and a strong sense of social responsibility. He is highly influenced by Buddhist philosophy and investigates Gautam Buddha’s teachings in modern society. He is well-known for his criticism of Hindi poetry. Two critical books have been published, and one is currently being published. More than 25 of his critical writings have appeared in reputed Hindi journals.
He has authored several books such as Riturain, Dharm Wah Nav Nehi, Dharti Janti Hai, Prtivi Par Ek Jagah, Jaise Koi Sunta Ho Mujhe, Mushkil Waqton ke Nishaan, Sirshak Kaaniyan, Kai Umron ki Kavita, Mushkil Din ki Baat, Shaani ka Sansaar, Dantkatha aur Anya Kavitayein.
He has won several prestigious awards and honours such as Ankur Mishra Kavita Puraskar (2004), Lakshman Prasad Mandloi Samman (2010), Bagishwari Puraskar (2010), Girish Tiwari Girda Smriti Jangeet Samman (2019).