<–2/”>a >The medieval period witnessed the Growth of a rich corpus of literature that accompanied the development of new languages. The conventional view among historians was that the patronage of the Sanskrit and other regional language had declined because the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate led to the patronage of Persian. But this period witnessed the growth of a rich corpus of regional literature. This period is marked with composition of poetical works called the Kavya (poetical narrative) and the texts that codified laws called the Dhramashastras.
The new literary languages in India had their genesis (beginning) in early Medieval centuries, when fragmented Polity resulted in regional loyalty based on a common culture of local language and literature. At first, many family histories, chronicles and stories about lesser known dynasties were written. Local pride was best expressed through heroic ballads, such as ‘Prithvirajraso’.
A large number of people speak Hindi in its different forms that include Braj Bhasha, and Avadhi (spoken in Oudh region), Bhojpuri, Magadhi, and Maithili (spoken around Mithila), and Rajasthani and Khadi Boli (spoken around Delhi). Rajasthani is another variant or dialect of Hindi. This Classification has been made on the basis of literature produced by great poets over a length of time. Thus, the language used by Surdas and Bihari has been given the name of Braj Bhasha; that used by Tulsidas in the Ramacharitamanasa is called Avadhi and the one used by Vidyapati has been termed as Maithili. But Hindi, as we know it today is the one called Khadi Boli. Though Khusrau has used Khadi Boli in his compositions in the thirteenth century its extensive use in literature began only in the nineteenth century. It even shows some influence of Urdu.
The Sufi saints and religious preachers such as Kabir-2/”>Kabir, Nanak, Surda, Tulsidas, Mirabai, were instrumental in developing regional languages as medium for their ‘poetic’ expression. The Sufis used ‘Hindavi’ which increased its popularity while Kabir, Nanak and Surdas, adopted their local dialect. Mirabai sang her devotional songs in Rajasthani, and was influenced by other saint poets such as Tulsidas. Hindi acquired an added importance with the evolution of Urdu which became the Official Language of the Sultanate.
The rulers of Bengal identified themselves very early with the region they ruled, and took a genuine interest in Bengali literature and culture. This not only assured the support of the masses for their foreign rulers but also promoted the Bengali language and culture.
The folksongs called Charyapads composed between the 10 and 12 centuries are the earliest specimen of the Bengali language. The works of Kavindra and Srikaranandi are regarded to be among the important early works in Bengali.
Early Gujarati literature is available in the form of Bhakti songs of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It still follows the old tradition which is popular in Gujarat. Narsi Mehta’s name is the foremost in this respect. The people of Gujarat wove these devotional songs in their folk dances and their religious forms often find expressions in their celebrations.
The earliest Marathi poetry and prose is by Saint Jnaneshwar (Gyaneshwar) who lived in the thirteenth century. He wrote a long commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. He was the one who started the kirtan tradition in Maharashtra. He was followed by Namdev (1270- 1350), Gora, Sena and Janabai. All these sang and popularised the Marathi language. Their songs are sung even today by the Verkari pilgrirns on their way to Pandharpur pilgrimage. Almost two centuries later, Eknath/”>Eknath (1533-99) came on the scene. He wrote the commentaries on the Ramayana and the Bhagawat Purana. His songs are very popular all over Maharashtra.
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The growth of literature in regional languages is a complex and multifaceted topic. It is impossible to do Justice to the full scope of this topic in a short list, but here are some of the key subtopics that should be considered:
- The development of vernacular literatures in the pre-colonial period
- The impact of colonialism on regional literatures
- The growth of vernacular literatures in the post-colonial period
- The role of language in the formation of national identity
- The challenges facing regional literatures in the 21st century
These are just some of the many subtopics that could be explored in a more detailed study of the growth of literature in regional languages.
The development of vernacular literatures in the pre-colonial period
Vernacular literatures have a long and rich history in many parts of the world. In some cases, these literatures date back to the pre-colonial period. For example, the Tamil language has a literary tradition that dates back to the 3rd century BCE. The earliest Tamil literature is known as Sangam literature, and it consists of poems that deal with a variety of topics, including love, war, and religion.
The impact of colonialism on regional literatures
The arrival of European colonialism had a profound impact on vernacular literatures in many parts of the world. In some cases, colonialism led to the suppression of vernacular literatures. For example, the British colonial government in India discouraged the use of Indian languages in Education and government. This policy had a negative impact on the development of Indian vernacular literatures.
In other cases, colonialism led to the revival of vernacular literatures. For example, the Japanese colonial government in Taiwan encouraged the use of the Taiwanese language in education and government. This policy led to a revival of Taiwanese literature in the early 20th century.
The growth of vernacular literatures in the post-colonial period
In the post-colonial period, there has been a resurgence of interest in vernacular literatures. This is due in part to the Rise of Nationalism and the desire to assert cultural identity. Vernacular literatures have also been used to promote social and political change. For example, the literature of the African National Congress in South Africa played a key role in the fight against apartheid.
The role of language in the formation of national identity
Language is often seen as a key component of national identity. This is because language is a powerful tool for Communication and for the expression of culture. Vernacular literatures can play an important role in the formation of national identity by providing a shared language and culture for people who speak the same language.
The challenges facing regional literatures in the 21st century
Regional literatures face a number of challenges in the 21st century. One challenge is the dominance of English as a global language. English is the language of international communication, and it is often seen as the language of prestige. This can make it difficult for vernacular literatures to compete with English-language literature.
Another challenge facing regional literatures is the rise of new technologies. The Internet and Social Media have made it easier for people to access and consume content in English. This can lead to a decline in the use of vernacular languages and literatures.
Despite these challenges, there are a number of reasons to be optimistic about the future of regional literatures. One reason is the growing interest in diversity and Multiculturalism. There is a growing demand for literature that reflects the diversity of human experience. This demand can provide a boost for vernacular literatures.
Another reason to be optimistic is the rise of digital technologies. Digital technologies can be used to promote vernacular literatures and to make them more accessible to a wider audience. For example, there are now a number of websites and online platforms that are dedicated to vernacular literatures.
The growth of literature in regional languages is a complex and multifaceted topic. It is impossible to do justice to the full scope of this topic in a short list, but the subtopics discussed above provide a starting point for further exploration.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the growth of literature in regional languages:
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What is the growth of literature in regional languages?
The growth of literature in regional languages is the increase in the number of books, articles, and other forms of literature written in regional languages. This growth is due to a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of regional languages, the rise of regional literature movements, and the increasing availability of Resources in regional languages. -
What are the benefits of the growth of literature in regional languages?
The benefits of the growth of literature in regional languages include: - Increased access to information and ideas for people who speak regional languages
- Increased cultural awareness and understanding
- Increased pride in regional cultures
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Increased opportunities for writers and artists in regional languages
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What are the challenges of the growth of literature in regional languages?
The challenges of the growth of literature in regional languages include: - The lack of resources in regional languages, such as books, articles, and other forms of literature
- The lack of recognition for regional literature, both within and outside of the region
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The lack of opportunities for writers and artists in regional languages
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What can be done to promote the growth of literature in regional languages?
There are a number of things that can be done to promote the growth of literature in regional languages, including: - Increasing the availability of resources in regional languages
- Promoting regional literature movements
- Providing opportunities for writers and artists in regional languages
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Raising awareness of the benefits of regional literature
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What is the future of literature in regional languages?
The future of literature in regional languages is bright. The increasing popularity of regional languages, the rise of regional literature movements, and the increasing availability of resources in regional languages will all contribute to the continued growth of literature in regional languages.
Sure, here are some MCQs on the following topics:
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The first Indian language to be used in literature was:
(A) Sanskrit
(B) Tamil
(C) Telugu
(D) Kannada -
The earliest known Tamil literary work is:
(A) The Sangam literature
(B) The Vedas
(C) The Mahabharata
(D) The Ramayana -
The most famous Tamil poet of the Sangam period was:
(A) Tiruvalluvar
(B) Ilango Adigal
(C) Kapilar
(D) Avvaiyar -
The earliest known Telugu literary work is:
(A) The Mahabharata
(B) The Ramayana
(C) The Vyasa Bharatam
(D) The Andhra Mahabharatam -
The most famous Telugu poet of the Kakatiya period was:
(A) Nannayya
(B) Tikkana
(C) Errana
(D) Peddana -
The earliest known Kannada literary work is:
(A) The Mahabharata
(B) The Ramayana
(C) The Kumarasambhava
(D) The Harivamsa -
The most famous Kannada poet of the Chalukya period was:
(A) Pampa
(B) Ponna
(C) Ranna
(D) Kumara Vyasa -
The earliest known Malayalam literary work is:
(A) The Mahabharata
(B) The Ramayana
(C) The Adhyatma Ramayana
(D) The Nalacharitham -
The most famous Malayalam poet of the Chera period was:
(A) Ezhuthachan
(B) Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan
(C) Kunchan Nambiar
(D) Kottarathil Sankunni -
The earliest known Bengali literary work is:
(A) The Mahabharata
(B) The Ramayana
(C) The Charyapada
(D) The Manasamangal Kavya -
The most famous Bengali poet of the Sena period was:
(A) Jayadeva
(B) Chandidas
(C) Vidyapati
(D) Lalon Shah -
The earliest known Assamese literary work is:
(A) The Mahabharata
(B) The Ramayana
(C) The Kalika Purana
(D) The Mahabharata -
The most famous Assamese poet of the Ahom period was:
(A) Sankardeva
(B) Madhabdeva
(C) Aniruddhadeva
(D) Harihara Vipra -
The earliest known Oriya literary work is:
(A) The Mahabharata
(B) The Ramayana
(C) The Madalasa
(D) The Jagannath Bilasa -
The most famous Oriya poet of the Ganga dynasty was:
(A) Upendra Bhanja
(B) Balarama Das
(C) Jagannath Das
(D) Achyutananda Das -
The earliest known Marathi literary work is:
(A) The Mahabharata
(B) The Ramayana
(C) The Dnyaneshwari
(D) The Mahabharata -
The most famous Marathi poet of the Yadava dynasty was:
(A) Dnyaneshwar
(B) Namdev
(C) Eknath
(D) Tukaram -
The earliest known Gujarati literary work is:
(A) The Mahabharata
(B) The Ramayana
(C) The Nala-Damayanti
(D) The Harivamsa -
The most famous Gujarati poet of the Solanki dynasty was:
(A) Narsinh Mehta
(B) Akho
(C) Premanand
(D) Dayaram -
The earliest known Punjabi literary work is:
(A) The Mahabharata
(B) The Ramayana
(C) The Adi Granth
(D) The Dasam Granth -
The most famous Punjabi poet of the Mughal period was:
(A) Guru Nanak Dev Ji
(B) Guru Gobind Singh Ji
(C) Guru Arjun Dev Ji
(D) Guru Amar Das Ji -
The earliest known Sindhi literary work is:
(A) The Mahabharata
(B) The Ramayana
(C) The Shah Jo Risalo
(D) The Hamdard -
The most famous Sindhi poet of the Mughal period was:
(A) Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai