Rajasthani literature


Rajasthani literature is a tradition in Indian literature dating to the 2nd millennium, which includes literature written in the Rajasthani language. An early form of Rajasthani started developing in the 11th century from Saurseni Prakrit as Maru-Gurjar or Gurjar Apabhramsa.
Early Rajasthani literature was usually written by Charans. Earlier Rajasthani was known as Charani or Dingal, which was close to Gujarati. Medieval Rajasthani literature was mostly heroic poetry mentioning the great kings and fighters of Rajasthan. Rabindra Nath Tagore, a Bengali polymath, once said, "The heroic sentiment which is the essence of every song and couplet of a Rajasthani is peculiar emotion of its own of which, however, the whole country may be proud". It is generally agreed that modern Rajasthani literature began with the works of Suryamal Misran, including the Vansa Bhaskara and the Vir Satsai. The Vansa Bhaskara contains accounts of the Rajput princes who ruled in what was then Rajputana, during the lifetime of the poet. The Vir Satsai is a collection of hundreds of couplets.

History

The first mention of Rajasthani literature was in Jain muni Udyotan Suri's novel Kuvalaya-mālā, where the language is referred to as "Marubhasha".
The roots of Rajasthani literature can be found in both the 11th and 12th centuries when Maru-Gurjari began to develop as a language.

Rajasthani Literature Evolution

  • Early Period :
  • *Foundational phase with the emergence of Maru-Gurjari as a language.
  • *Development and initial shaping of Rajasthani literature.
  • Medieval Period
  • *Further maturation of Rajasthani language and literature.
  • *Flourishing creativity and expression during this era.
  • Modern Period
  • *Evolution into the modern era with contemporary influences.
  • *Continuation and adaptation of Rajasthani literature to changing times.

Classification

The entire Rajasthani literature can be divided into five main parts.

Charan literature

Charans have produced many outstanding poets, historians, warriors, loyal courtiers and scholars in various fields. Charan literature is available from the 8th-10th century. Numerous Dingal-Gita, duhas, composite works, historical writings, and many other verses and prose works are part of the Charan literature. There has been a continuous flow of their writings during the last six centuries. Among the historians, Suryamal Misran, Kaviraja Bankidas, Kaviraja Dayaldas and Kaviraja Shyamaldas were the stalwarts of this field. The writers of the Charan genre demonstrated their talent by writing in multiple rasa, including vira, sringara and bhakti at the same time. The heroic poetry of Charan literature inspired the warriors to fight till death for the honor of their land, religion, women and the oppressed.
Charan poets in their literature used Dingala, Sanskrit, Pingala, Apabhraṃśa, Rajasthani and Gujarati along with languages like Urdu-Persian etc. Apart from the Charans, their dogmatic approach was followed by other contemporary poets, such as Bhats, Brahmin, Dhadhi, Sevag, Rajput, Motisar, Raval, Pancholi, Jains and others, and made important contributions in Charan literature. It is a very vibrant and powerful literature, and hence it played a very important role in shaping and molding the destiny of western-India and its heroes.

Jain literature

The literature written in large quantities by followers of Jain religion like Jain Acharyas, Munis, Yatis and Shravakas and litterateurs influenced by Jainism is called Jain literature. This literature is collected in large quantities in the libraries of various ancient temples. This literature is religious literature which is available in both prose and poetry.

Brahmin literature

Brahmin literature is available in relatively less quantity in Rajasthani literature. Major books like Kanhadde Prabandha, Hammirayan, Bisaldev Raso, Ranmal Chhand etc. are the books of this category.

Saint Literature

In the medieval period, in the stream of Bhakti movement, in the calm and mild climate of Rajasthan, many Nirguni and Saguni saints and mahatmas emerged on this land. The generous saints have written vast literature in the local language in devotion to God and for the welfare of the common people. Saint literature is mostly in verse.

Folk literature

In Rajasthani literature, there is also a vast amount of literature written in the popular folk style by the common people. This literature exists in the form of folk ballads, folk dramas, love stories, proverbs, riddles and folk songs.

Major works

Brief introduction of major works
1. Prithviraj Raso : It describes the life character and wars of the last Chauhan emperor of Ajmer – Prithviraj Chauhan. This is an epic of Veer Rasa written in Pingal. It is believed that Chand Bardai was the court poet and friend of Prithviraj Chauhan.
2. Khuman Raso : This book in Pingal language describes the rulers of Mewar from Bappa Rawal to Maharaja Raj Singh.
3. Virud Chhathari, Kirtar Bavanau : Virud Chhathari is the bravery saga of Maharana Pratap and in Kirtar Bavanau, the social and economic situation of that time has been described. Dursa Aadha was the court poet of Akbar. His bronze statue is present in the Achaleshwar temple of Achalgarh.
4. Bikaner Ra Rathoda Ri Khyat : This two-part book describes the events from the beginning of the Rathores of Jodhpur and Bikaner till the coronation of Maharaja Sardar Singh of Bikaner.
5. Sagat Raso : This Dingal text describes Maharana Pratap's younger brother Shaktisingh. This is a poetic arrangement of 943 verses. Its name is also found in some books as Sagatsingh Raso.
6. Hammir Raso : This poetic book contains a detailed description of the genealogy of Ranthambore ruler Rana Chauhan, his war with Alauddin Khilji and his bravery.
7. Vijay : This poetic text in Sanskrit language describes the lineage of Prithviraj Chauhan and his achievements. It contains authentic information about the development and environment of Ajmer.
8. Ajitodaya Mahakavyam : Contains a detailed description of Mughal relations. It is in Sanskrit language.
9. Dhola Maru Ra Duha : This book, full of the beauty of Dingal language, contains the love story of Dhola and Marvani.
10. Gajgunrupak : It describes the state glory, pilgrimage and wars of Maharaja Gajraj Singh of Jodhpur. Gadan was the favorite poet of Jodhpur Maharaja Gajraj Singh.
11. Surajaprakasa : It describes the events from the beginning of the Rathore dynasty of Jodhpur till the time of Maharaja Abhay Singh. There is also a description of the war between Abhay Singh and Gujarat's Subedar Sarbuland Khan and the victory of Abhay Singh.
12. Ekalinga Mahatmya : It provides information about the genealogy of Guhil rulers and the political and social organization of Mewar.
13. Muta Nainsi Ri Khyat and Marwar Ra Pargana Ri Vigat : This work of Nainsi, the Diwan of Jodhpur Maharaja Jaswant Singh I, contains the history of various states of Rajasthan as well as the history of the nearby princely states. Nainsi has also been called 'Abul Fazal' of Rajputana. 'Marwar Ra Pargana Ri Vigat' can be called 'Gazetteer of Rajasthan'.
14. Padmavat : Composed around 1543 AD, this epic describes the desire of Alauddin Khilji and Mewar ruler Rawal Ratan Singh to obtain Queen Padmini.
15. Vijaypal Raso : This heroic and romantic book in Pingal language describes the battle of Digvijay and Pang of Yaduvanshi king Vijaypal of Vijaygarh. Nallasingh was a Bhat of Sirohiya branch and he was a dependent poet of Yayuvanshi king Vijaypal of Vijaygarh.
16. Nagar Samuchaya : This book is a collection of various compositions of King Sawantsingh of Kishangarh. Sawantsingh had composed romantic compositions on the love story of Radha Krishna.
17. Hammir Mahakavya : In this Sanskrit language text, Jain sage Nayanchandra Suri describes the Chauhan rulers of Ranthambore.
18. Veli Kisan Rukmani Ri : Poet Prithviraj, one of Akbar's Navratnas, was the younger brother of Bikaner ruler Raisingh and used to write literature under the name 'Pithal'. In this book he has described the story of the marriage of Shri Krishna and Rukmini. Dursa Adha called this book the 'fifth Veda' and '19th Purana'.
19. Kanhadde Prabandha : Padmanabha was the court poet of Jalore ruler Akhairaj. In this book, he describes the war between the brave ruler of Jalore, Kanhadade and Alauddin Khilji and the love affair of Firozha, daughter of Kanhadade's son Veermade Alauddin.
20. Rajrupak : This Dingal book describes the war between Jodhpur Maharaja Abhay Singh and Gujarat's Subedar Sarbuland Khan.
21. Bihari Satsai : Poet Bihari, born in Madhya Pradesh, was the court poet of Jaipur King Mirza Raja Jai Singh. This famous book of his, written in Braj language, is an excellent work of Shringaar Rasa.
22. Bankidas Ri Khyat : This Khyat, written by Bankidas, the poetry guru of Raja Mansingh of Jodhpur, is a source to know the history of Rajasthan. The collection of his books is published in the name of ‘Bankidas Granthawali’. His other books are Manjasomandal and Datar Bavani.
23. Kuvalmayala : This Prakrit text was composed by Udyotan Suri while living in Jalore around 778 AD, which presents a good glimpse of the cultural life of the then Rajasthan.
24. Brajnidhi Granthawali: This is a compilation of poetic texts written by Maharaja Pratap Singh of Jaipur.
25. Hammid Hatha: Written by Chandrashekhar, a poet dependent on Bundi Shasan Rao Surjan.
26. Ancient Lipimala, History of Rajputana : Pt. Gaurishankar Hirachandra Ojha was the founder of Indian historical literature, who first made his name by writing the scripture of Indian script in Hindi.
Got it written in the book. He has also written the history of the native states of Rajasthan. He was born in the princely state of Sirohi in 1863 AD.
27. Vachaniya Rathore Ratan Singh Mahe Sadasot Ri : In this Dingle book, Rathore Ratan Singh is fighting in the battle of Dharamat between the Mughal army led by Jodhpur Maharaja Jaswant Singh and the combined army of Shah Jahan's rebellious sons Aurangzeb and Murad. There is a description of the brave war and sacrifice of.
28. Bisaldev Rasau : It describes the love story of Chauhan ruler of Ajmer Bisaldev and his queen Rajmati.
29. Ranmal Chhand : These describe the war between Subedar Zafar Khan of Patan and Rathore king Ranmal of Idar. Durga Saptashati is his other creation. Sridhar Vyas was a contemporary of Raja Ranmal.
30. Achaldas Kheechi Ri Vachanika : This Dingal book, written between 1430 and 1435, describes the war between Sultan Houshangshah of Mandu and Achaldas Khedi, the ruler of Gagraun and brief information about the Khedi rulers. Has been given.
31. Rao Jaitsi Row Chand : This book in Dingal language describes the war between Badhar's son Kamran and Bikaner King Rao Jaitsi.
32. Rukmani Haran, Nagadaman : These Dingal texts were composed by poet Sayaji, a protege of Eden Nerash Rao Kalyanmal.
33. Vansh Bhaskar - The work of completing Vansh Bhaskar was done by his adopted son Muraridan. His other books are - Balwant Vilas, Veer Satsai and Chhand-Mayukh Ummed Singh Charitra, Buddha Singh Charitra.
34. Veervinod : Born in 1836 AD in Mewar and written in five volumes by Kaviraj Shyamaldas, a protege of Maharana Sajjan, Kaviraj was given the title of 'Saffron-e-Hind' by the British government on this book. Went. In this book, there is a detailed history of Menwar and also the history of other related princely states. Mewar Maharana Sajjan Singh had honored Shyamaldas with the title of 'Kaviraj' and in 1888 with the title of 'Mahamopadhyay'.
35. Aavni Ra Chungtya : Through these couplets, poet Kesari Singh Barhat had stopped the proud Maharaja Fateh Singh of Mewar from going to Delhi in 1903 AD. He was the state poet of Mewar.
36. Kesar-Vilas : The first play of modern Rajasthan. The first novel of modern Rajasthan, Kanak-Sundari, was also written by Shivchandra Bhartia. Vishrant Pravas, considered the first Rajasthani story, was written by him.

Modern literature

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Medieval literature

Prominent figures