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Gujarati literature has a long tradition, dating back to the 12th century. Gujarati literature reflects the state’s rich cultural legacy and societal challenges. From traditional literature to contemporary narratives, Gujarati literature is a part of dynamic literature history. In this section, we shall talk about Gujarati literature and its diverse history. This is an important subject of ancient history and can appear in various examinations such as UPSC, SSC and EPFO. So, if you want to learn more about Gujarati literature, then you are in the right place. Continue reading to enhance your knowledge about such topics.
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Gujarati Literature and Its Historical Context
Gujarati literature is a vibrant legacy that covers a diverse range of genres, styles, and themes. It has covered everything from devotional poetry to folk stories to modern novels and plays. Gujarati literature has its roots in the Apabhramsa language, which is older than modern Gujarati. The early literature of Gujarat was influenced by Jainism, which was the main religion in Gujarat at that time.
- The earliest works in Gujarati were majorly written by the Jain monks. The literature described the lives of Jain Tirthankaras and other religious leaders. Bharateshwar Bahubali Ras by Shalibhadra Suri, written in the 12th century, is one of the first works of Gujarati literature.
- The Old Gujarati era lasted from the 12th to 14th centuries. Folk traditions such as ballads, folklore, and oral narratives had a major effect on Gujarati literature during the period.
- Sundar Vanchet by Sunderji Bhagwat was one of the oldest works of Gujarati literature. Hemchandra, a Jain scholar, was another well-known writer of the time.
Also Read: Gems of Hindi Literature & their Exceptional Work
Bhakti Movement and Gujarati Literature
The Bhakti movement became popular during the medieval period. This period saw a rise in religious poetry, especially to the Lord Krishna.
- Narsinh Mehta is one of the most well-known poets of this era. He is also known as the ‘Adi Kavi’ in Gujarati literature. His religious songs and poetry are an important part of Gujarati culture.
- Mirabai was a Rajput princess and devotee of Lord Krishna. She is mostly associated with Hindi and Rajasthani literature. She also wrote poetry and bhajans in Gujarati, which left a lasting mark on Gujarat’s religious literature.
- Premanand Bhatt was a poet and playwright whose work usually focused on Krishna’s life. The Okha Haran and Dashama Na Sakhro are among his most popular works.
The 17th to 19th centuries saw the emergence of Akhyana, which is the combined storytelling with music and drama in Gujarati’s folk literature.
- Bhala was a poet from this era who made major contributions to Gujarati literature. His popular works of art, Bahubali Ras and Gautama Gita, reflect a blend of religious devotion and traditional elements.
- Dayaram was a poet and reformer renowned for his Garbi works. Garbi is a folk dance and song that depicts the love between Krishna and the Gopis.
Modernization of Gujarati Literature
The 19th century saw social change and modernisation in Gujarati literature. This age was influenced by the Indian Renaissance and saw the emergence of new literary forms like as essays, novels and plays.
- Narmadashankar Lalshankar Dave, also known as Narmad, was known as the pioneer of Gujarati literature. Narmad wrote literature about caste injustice and women’s rights. His ‘Mari Hakikat’ is one of the first autobiographies in Gujarati.
- Govardhanram Tripathi is a key individual in the modernisation of Gujarati literature. He is best known for his novel Saraswatichandra. This novel, which addresses the themes of love and social reform, is considered one of the most important works in Gujarati literature.
- Dalpataram was an author and playwright who was recognised for his humorous work.
The beginning of the 20th century saw the rise of Gandhi during the period of independence. Gandhi had a clear influence on Gujarati literature which inspired many writers.
- Matama Gandhi’s book ‘The Story of My Experiments with Truth’ was originally written in Gujarati. Gandhi’s writing style was simple but strong, and his work had a major effect on Gujarati literature.
- Umashankar Joshi was a poet, essayist, and scholar. His poetry reflects a concern for humanity and social justice.
- Sundaram was a literary critic recognised for his modern approach to poetry. His collections Swagat and Sadhana are regarded as notable contributions to Gujarati poetry.
- Pannalal Patel was a famous novelist known for his realistic portrayal of rural life in Gujarat. His finest work is Manvini Bhavai, which received the Jnanpith Award.
- Kanhaiyalal Munshi (also known as K.M. Munshi) was an author, historian, and politician. His most important novels are Patan Ni Prabhuta and Gujarat No Nath.
Also Read: Prakrit Literature: A Language Older Than Sanskrit
Gujarati theatre flourished in the 20th century, due to the contributions of playwrights such as Girish Karnad and Vijay Tendulkar. Gujarati literature grew in the post-independence era, taking on various literary forms.
- Modern Gujarati poetry is defined by its diversity, with writers including Sitanshu Yashaschandra and Chinu Modi.
- Short stories have remained a popular form in modern Gujarati literature, with writers including Dhiruben Patel and Kanji Patel.
- Dalit literature in Gujarati has challenged the traditional narratives of Gujarati society, as shown by writers such as Dalpat Chauhan and Harish Mangalam.
- Feminist voices have also gained popularity in contemporary Gujarati literature, with writers such as Saroj Pathak and Varsha Adalja.
- Gujarati diaspora literature explored themes such as migration and cultural identity.
Gujarati literature has influenced its people’s identity while also contributing to social justice, human rights, and cultural identity. Gujarati literature continues to evolve as a powerful and lasting expression of the human experience.
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FAQs
Gujarati literature has a long tradition, dating back to the 12th century. Gujarati literature reflects the state’s rich cultural legacy and societal challenges. From traditional literature to contemporary narratives, Gujarati literature is a part of dynamic literature history.
Gujarati literature has its roots in the Apabhramsa language, which is older than modern Gujarati. The early literature of Gujarat was influenced by Jainism, which was the main religion in Gujarat at that time. The earliest works in Gujarati were majorly written by the Jain monks. The Old Gujarati era lasted from the 12th to 14th centuries.
Some of the notable writers of Gujarati literature are Umashankar Joshi, Sundaram, Kanhaiyalal Munshi, Dhiruben Patel, Kanji Patel, Saroj Pathak, Varsha Adalja and many more.
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