Pandit Janardan Rai Nagar, popularly known as Jannu Bhai, was born on 16th June 1911. His father was Shri Pranlal ji Nagar and mother was Shrimati Vijayalakshmi Nagar (A freedom fighter). He took his early education in Udaipur, later he went to Ajmer for further studies. He graduated from Banaras Hindu University in 1935-36. He was awarded the degree of “Sahitya Ratna” by Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag in 1935. He earned his post graduate degree in Hindi from Agra University in 1940.

Pandit Nagar was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Ravindra Nath Tagore. During his student days in Banaras Hindu University he came in contact with Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and Munshi Premchand, who had made a deep impact on his young mind and inspired him to join the freedom struggle. As a freedom fighter Pandit Nagar led mass movements as a founding member of Praja Mandal against the colonial rule. At Banaras he took oath to establish a University in Mewar region like Pandit Malviya did.

Late Manishi Pt. Nagar’s mother Late Shrimati Vijaya Ma was a revolutionary. She had already established Udaipur Mahila Mandal for the education and welfare of the weaker section of the society.