A Study on The Imitations of Gita Govinda (An Old and Rare Book)

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Gitagovinda sparked off a distinct lyrical trend of devotional poetry by its sonorous impact, musical phrase structure and stylistic simplicity that encouraged a good number of poets to setoff along the trail. This is a study to examine the entire crop of literature written in imitation of Jayadeva whom none could excel though a few could achieve racy lyricism pretty close to his style.

Some of them wrote from a very natural inspiration charged with a devotional intensity that saturated their composition. Simple imitation produced some highly ornate poetry that fails to evoke proper response inspite of good craftsmanship displayed by the poets. A fair assessment of each work needs a large scope; so samples have been taken from each genre for close examination. This tradition remained a source for regional lyric-poetry and devotional epics which enriched the bulk of vernacular literature. As such they enjoy an historical status which each crític should investigate to understand the origin and development of erotic poetry transfigured by a devotional intensity of sublimated passions.

In its range this poetry does encompass all the shades of sex-passion from its grossly physical to the ecstatically sublime. A true devotee found the lines symbolic while a sensualist relished the passion in its nude display.