Nirmal Verma was a Hindi writer, novelist, activist and translator. He is credited as being one of the pioneers of the 'Nayi Kahani' (New Story) literary movement of Hindi literature, wherein his first collection of stories, Parinde (Birds) is considered its first signature.In his career spanning five decades and various forms of literature, like story, travelogue and essays, he penned five novels, eight short-story collections and nine books of non-fiction, including essays and travelogues. Nirmal Verma was born on 3 April 1929 in Shimla. His brother Ram Kumar is also a well known artist. He published his first short story during 1950’s in Student’s magazine. He did M.A. in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. It was during that time when he seriously started writing and published in magazines as well. In 1947-48, he regularly attended Mahatma Gandhiji's morning prayer meetings in Delhi though he belonged to Communist party. The activism was well reflected in many of his works later. 

His major short story anthologies are - 'Parinde' (Birds) (1959), Jalti Jhari (1965), Beech Bahas Mein (1973), Meri Priya Kahanian (1973), Pratinidhi Kahaniyan (1988), Kavve aur Kala Pani (1983), Sookha aur Anya Kahaniyan (1995) and Dhage (2003). His single play is titled Teen Ekant written in the year 1976. His essays and criticism include - Shabda aur Smriti (1976), Kala Ka Jokhima (1981), Dhundha Se Uthati Dhun, Dhalan se Utarate Huye and Bharat Aur Europe: Pratishruti Ke Kshetra (1991). His major novels are Ve Din – His first novel, Ek Chithara Sukh (1979) and Raat ka Reporter (1989). In 1985, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award.