Dr. Narayan Singh Bhati- Kalidas of Modern Rajasthani Poetry

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Back of the Book Dr. Narayan Singh Bhati, a great sensitive poet, comparable to Mahakavi Kalidas of Sanskrit poetry, who proved to be a bridge in between medieval and modern Rajasthani poetry, a dedicated ground-worker for the recognition of Rajasthani language, devoting his life to survey, preservation, editing and publishing Rajasthani classical and folk-literature, the first, categorically dividing literature as ancient, medieval and modern, a far-sighted scholar enriching language with grammar and providing all co-operation to Padmashri Lalas for completion of his Shabd Kosh by making it a institutional project, an expert in the choice of befitting persons for any work, a good administrator, the founder of Rajasthani Shodh Sansthan, Chopasani, Jodhpur, a promoter of Mansingh Pustak Prakash, critic and analyst, was a person of principles, always maintaining distance in between people coming into his contact and inspiring those who really had a strong desire to work, co-operative, who knew no adjustments and finally the man whom, financial scarcity or difference of opinions in institutional or social affair could not deflect from the path once he decided to follow.

About the Book The present volume analyzing life and contribution of Dr. Bhati to Rajasthani Language and literature along with his 12 poetical collections, speaks volumes about the desire for recognition of Rajasthani language for which he dedicated himself to prove the traditions of grammar and lexicons apart from extensive literature rich in all branches of prose, poetry and folk literature related to history and culture. As a poet, he is believed to be a bridge in between Dingal and modern Rajasthani Poetry and also compared with the great Sanskrit poet Kalidas by eminent critics for his sensitively of mind and richness of imaginations in depicting beauty of nature and its resemblance with various moods or feelings of the woman.

While the work proves a lasting memorial to Dr. Bhati, it will certainly, help the Non-Rajasthani knowing reader to realize the greatness of Rajasthani language and literature as also the poetic beauty of Dr. Bhati that makes him a quintessential poet of modern Rajasthan.

Foreword A famous poet of Rajasthani language known as the bridge in between Dingal & modem poetry, Dr. Narayan Singh Bhati, is also accredited with a considerable contribution to the language, literature & culture of Rajasthan.

As founder-Director of the Research Institute under the auspices of Chopasani Shiksha Samiti & later as Hon. Director, Maharaja Man Singh Pustak Prakash, he dedicated himself to bring to light the valuable works, yet unpublished or rarely available that reveal, besides poetic beauty, historical incidents & cultural values that enabled the inhabitants of this province to survive in constant struggle against the elements & warfare against the invaders for centuries together, protecting their self-respect, religion, societal beliefs & deep-rooted conventions. This labor of love he continued for 40 years through the institute's journal 'Parampara' in 100 volumes, each dealing with different manuscript (Bahi) or a subject - poetry, prose, oral tradition, folk-literature, literary persons & historians of Rajasthan.

As a regular feature of the institutes, he organized lecture-series & national seminars on topics related to history and literature of Rajasthan successfully, he maintained academic interaction with national scholars & other research institutes. He edited the work - Marwar Ra Paragana Ri Vigat by Munhata Nainasi, which has proved an encyclopedia for the socio-economic history of Marwar.

In fact, all this writing and research were not merely a part of duty for him; it was the unleashing of the sensitivity of an inbred poet & visionary academician within him. His whole work was dedicated to his desire to prove the richness of Rajasthani language & literature, that has its own systematic grammar, prosody, poetics & voluminous lexicons--all that is essential for its recognition by the people, state & the nation.

The present volume, a joint effort by Dr. Kshirsagar & Dr. Aidan Singh Bhati, produces an analysis of Dr. Narayan Singh's entire work enabling the reader to realize the greatness of our language & literature.

Introductory Rajasthani language that claims inheritance of more than 1000 years, is enriched by authors and poets contributing poetry depicting sentiments of velour, love and devotion, prose-religious and historical namely Khyat, Bat, Tawarikh, Hal and Vigat, correspondence, translations, the works combining prose and poetry like Vachanika, 'Davavait' revealing rhythmic prose, traditions of folk- literature mainly preserved orally and above all Geet and Duha - pertaining to historical episodes. In addition, different sects of devotional learnings and the monks of Jain religion have contributed much to this treasure. It must be noted that prior to the set- up of the British rule in India, Rajasthani was a state language used by the rulers and the administrators of the erstwhile states of Rajasthan.

Great, thinkers like Swami Vivekananda, Raja Ram Mohan Ray or Pt. Harvilas Sharada, were worried for the regional languages that were neglected and gradually, like other north Indian languages, Rajasthani also lost its importance; albeit, in the first quarter of the last century, scholars experienced the need for survey and preservation of Rajasthani literature among whom Prof. Ramsingh Tomar, Dr. L.P. Tessitory and Pt. Suryanarayan Parik of Bikaner, need to be mentioned here.

After Independence, Dr. Narayan Singh Bhati, a famous poet, seems the first among those who were not only worrisome, but also actively and eagerly engaged in survey and preservation of Rajasthani literature. It may safely be said that the work of Dr. Tessitory, that came to a standstill in 1919 A.C. with his death, was again continued by Dr. Bhati who dedicated his whole life for the cause of Rajasthani language and literature.

From his you luminous writings, the fact prominently figures that he was much worried for recognition of Rajasthani language by the state and central government and also by the inhabitants of this province. Giving considerable thought to the problem, he confirmed his view that we have first to prove the richness of this age-old language that needs a systematic grammar, lexicons like other languages and richness of literature - classical and folk, both. Padmashree Seetaram Lalas had written the grammar of Rajasthani by dedicating 8 years and shouldered the task of the lexicon. For the convenience of publication and budget, as it could not be a one-man-show, on suggestion of Dr. Bhati, the Chopasani Shodh Sansthan took over the entire work of lexicon as a project and for its completion; Dr. Bhati deserves all praise, also open-heartedly agreed by Sh. Lalas, the editor.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages