Garhwali, Kumaoni, Himalayan Literature

Glimpse of History of Modern Garhwali Poetry in Shailvani , Part 4
Bhishma Kukreti


Developmental Stages of Modern Garhwali Poetries
Foundation Stage:

Though, in real term, the modern Garhwali poetry started from 1900 but before this time, Pundit Hari Krishna Daurgadatti Rudola, Pundit Leela Datt Kotnala and Mahant Harsh Puri Gusain of Shri Nagar Pauri Garhwali put the foundation for modern Garhwali poetries. The campaign started from 1875
Pundit Harikrishna Daurgadatti Rudola created poetries as ganga panchak, Chetawani, Shiksha etc , which are of inspirational ones.
Pundit Leela Datt Kotnala (1846-1926) created poems supporting Lord Ripen’s laws to demolish racism and supported British Raj by creating poem ‘Lord Ripen’. Kotnala published a poetry collection by name - Garhwali Chhandmala’ in 1918. Virah and Holi poems are marvelous pieces of poetries in Garhwali Chhandmala. Kotnala created Garh-Geeta, Leela prem Sagar, and Garhwali Prastawawali too.
Mahant Harsh Puri Gusain (1820-1905) created many poems and ‘Rajneesh ‘ and Buro Sang’ poems are affectionate and with pathos.
Pundit Jakrishna Daurgadatti Rudola created poem as ‘ Vedant Sandesh’ and these poems are modern as modern today’s poems. An example of his poems is here :
Kya chhenthadaa sadak ma kakhim ni milda?
Kya dallying harle apnee suchhaya ?
Kya suki gen nad nal sabhi jagatma ?

Abodh Bandhu Bahuguna divided the development of written form of Garhwali poetries according to time


1- First initiating Stage (1901- 1925)
2- Second Developmental Stage (1926-1950)
3-Third Developmental Stage (1951-1975)

Continued……..

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai, India, 2009