Rajasthani literature is a rich and diverse tradition that spans centuries. The region’s many local dialects have contributed to the development of a unique literary voice. Some of the most important works of Rajasthani literature include the epic poem “Prithviraj Raso,” the romantic novel “Dhola Maru,” and the collection of folktales “Veer Ras.” These works offer a glimpse into the history, culture, and values of Rajasthan.
Rajasthani Languages
Evolution of rajasthani languages from Shaurseni PrakritPrakrit
Saureni Prakrit is then developed into:-
- Gurjar in western region
- Shaurseni in eastern region (Apram bhasha)
Gurjar-
- Maru Gurjar or old Rajasthani
- its common language of Rajasthan and Gujrat
- 1st work was Bhrateshwar Bahubali Ghor by Vajrasensuri in 1168 ad
- In 15th century it evolved to Dingal
- Dingal was generally used in ballards and chronicles of warriors heroic deeds in the mewar and Marwar region
Shaurseni-
- It developed in Pingal which is a rajasthani variation of Braj Bhasha
- It was largely used for devotional and erotic poetry
Charans:-
- they preserves the glorious and martial deeds of their patrons
- Khayat- Chronicles
- Vats- Accounts of past events
- Vigats-Gazettes
Decline of Rajasthani Languages after the British rule was mainly due to following factors:-
- Outdated feudal system
- Growth of Printing press,newspaper and free discussion was largely discouraged in the princely states.
- Royal patronage to rajasthani was largely discontinued.
- Influence of Hindi
- Growth of Khardi boli
Present status of Rajasthani Languages and their main variations –
- Kamdhari- Nagari script mainly used in administration
- Jain style- Manuscript writing
- Modiya- Used by Trading class
- Shasti- Common people language.
Rajasthani Literature
Rajasthani Literature can be classified into three categories, which are as follows:-
- SanskritSanskrit and Prakrit
- Rajasthani
- Hindi
Sanskrit and Prakrit
Major literature of Sanskrit and prakrit developed in Rajasthan are as follows:-
- Shishupal Vadh by poet Magh
- Samaraichcha Katha by Hari Bhadra Suri
- Kuvalaya Mala by Udyotan Suri
- Upmiti Bharva Prancha Katha by Sidhi Rishi
- Harkaili by Vigrah Raj Chauhan IV of Ajmer
- Prithvi Raj Vijay by Prithvi Raj Chauhan
- Geet Goving and Sangeet Raj by Jai deva
- Charan Literature
Rajasthani
Major literature of Rajasthani developed in Rajasthan are classified into three styles which are as follows:-
- Jain- such as Prithvi Raj charit by Manak Chandra
- Dingal or Charan- like Prithvi Raj Raso by Chand Bardai, Rao Jaitasirau Chhanda by Vithu Sujo Nagarjota.
- Popular- like Veli Krishna Rukmani by Prithvi raj Rathore, Vansh Bhaskar by Surya Mal, Songs of Meera Bai, Khayal which are dance drama’s
Rajasthani literature is a rich and diverse body of work that spans centuries. It includes poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction, and is written in a variety of dialects. Some of the most important works of Rajasthani literature include:
- Prithviraj Raso is an epic poem that tells the story of Prithviraj Chauhan, a 12th-century Rajput king who fought against the Muslim invaders. The poem is written in the Brajbhasha dialect of Rajasthani, and is considered to be one of the masterpieces of Indian Literature.
- Dhola Maru is a folk epic that tells the story of Dhola, a prince from Marwar, and Maru, a princess from Mewar. The poem is written in the Marwari dialect of Rajasthani, and is known for its beautiful poetry and its depiction of the Rajasthani landscape.
- Krishna Bhakta Lilas is a devotional poem that tells the story of Krishna, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. The poem is written in the Mewari dialect of Rajasthani, and is known for its lyrical beauty and its depiction of Krishna’s life and teachings.
- Veer Raso is an epic poem that tells the story of Veer Singh, a Rajput warrior who fought against the Mughal emperor Akbar. The poem is written in the Marwari dialect of Rajasthani, and is known for its heroic deeds and its depiction of the Rajput warrior code.
- Sitaram Raso is an epic poem that tells the story of Rama, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. The poem is written in the Mewari dialect of Rajasthani, and is known for its beautiful poetry and its depiction of Rama’s life and teachings.
- Bhima Bhoi was a 16th-century poet who wrote in the Bhili dialect of Rajasthani. His poems are known for their simple language and their focus on social and religious issues.
- Devnarayan was a 17th-century saint who founded the Devnarayan Panth, a religious sect that is popular in Rajasthan. His hymns are written in the Mewari dialect of Rajasthani, and are known for their devotional fervor and their depiction of Devnarayan’s life and teachings.
- Gopi Chand Nahta was a 19th-century poet who wrote in the Marwari dialect of Rajasthani. His poems are known for their beautiful imagery and their depiction of the Rajasthani landscape.
- Sitaramdas Bhandari was a 20th-century poet who wrote in the Marwari dialect of Rajasthani. His poems are known for their social and political commentary.
- Dhanpat Rai was a 20th-century poet who wrote in the Marwari dialect of Rajasthani. His poems are known for their romantic themes and their depiction of the Rajasthani landscape.
- Achaldas was a 20th-century poet who wrote in the Marwari dialect of Rajasthani. His poems are known for their religious themes and their depiction of the Rajasthani landscape.
- Khem Karan Chautala was a 20th-century poet who wrote in the Marwari dialect of Rajasthani. His poems are known for their social and political commentary.
- Panna Dhayal was a 20th-century poet who wrote in the Marwari dialect of Rajasthani. His poems are known for their romantic themes and their depiction of the Rajasthani landscape.
Rajasthani literature is a rich and diverse body of work that reflects the history, culture, and people of Rajasthan. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating region of India.
FAQ’s
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about Rajasthani literature:
- What is Rajasthani literature?
Rajasthani literature is the body of literature written in the Rajasthani language. It is a rich and diverse tradition that spans over a thousand years. - What are some important works of Rajasthani literature?
Some important works of Rajasthani literature include the following:- The Prithviraj Raso, an epic poem about the life of the Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan
- The Hammir Hatharasa, a historical romance about the life of the Rajput king Hammir Dev Chauhan
- The Mirabai Natak, a play about the life of the Hindu saint Mirabai
- The Devnarayan Katha, a folktale about the god Devnarayan
- The Rajasthani folk songs, which are a rich and vibrant tradition of oral literature
- What are some of the local dialects of Rajasthani?
Some of the local dialects of Rajasthani include the following:- Marwari
- Mewari
- Bikaneri
- Jodhpuri
- Jaisalmeri
- Shekhawati
- Dhundari
- Godwari
- Hadoti
- Malvi
- Lambani
- What are some of the characteristics of Rajasthani literature?
Some of the characteristics of Rajasthani literature include the following:- It is a rich and diverse tradition that spans over a thousand years.
- It is written in a variety of dialects, each with its own unique flavor.
- It is often concerned with themes of love, war, and religion.
- It is characterized by its use of vivid imagery and poetic language.
- It is a living tradition that continues to be produced by both amateur and professional writers.
- What are some of the challenges facing Rajasthani literature?
Some of the challenges facing Rajasthani literature include the following:- It is a minority language that is not widely spoken outside of Rajasthan.
- It is often overshadowed by more well-known literary traditions such as Hindi and Urdu.
- There is a lack of funding for Rajasthani literature and its promotion.
- There is a lack of awareness of Rajasthani literature among the general public.
- What are some of the ways to promote Rajasthani literature?
Some of the ways to promote Rajasthani literature include the following:- Increasing funding for Rajasthani literature and its promotion.
- Raising awareness of Rajasthani literature among the general public.
- Promoting Rajasthani literature through education and outreach programs.
- Supporting Rajasthani writers and their work.
- Celebrating Rajasthani literature through festivals and events.
MCQ’s
- Which of the following is not a Rajasthani dialect?
(A) Marwari
(B) Mewari
(CC) Dhundari
(D) Bhili - Which of the following is not a Rajasthani literary work?
(A) Pabuji Ki Raso
(B) Devnarayan Raso
(C) Hammir Raso
(D) Chandayana - The language spoken in Rajasthan is called:
(A) Rajasthani
(B) Hindi
(C) Marwari
(D) Mewari