Garhwali, Kumaoni, Himalayan Literature

Glimpse of History of Modern Garhwali Poetry in Shailvani Part-5
Bhishma Kukreti


Initiating Developmental Stage of Garhwali Poetry (1900-1925)
Abodh Bandhu provides details that the modern Garhwali literature started with the publication of Garhwali news paper in 1905. Garhwali newspaper influenced Hindi readers of Garhwali origin to consider Garhwali as complete language and attracted for creating literature in Garhwali language. Atma Ram Gairola, Satya Sharan Raturi, Bhavani Datt Thapliyal, Tara Datt Gairola, Sada Nand Kukreti and Chandra Mohan Raturi were main stalwarts . ‘Sarswati’ a prominent Hindi magazine used to publish the Hindi poetries of Satya Sharan Raturi and Tar Datt Gairola had got fame as English writer after publishing ‘ The Songs of Dadu’ and ‘ Himalayan Folklores‘ and Chandra Mohan Ratuir could write fluently in Sanskrit or Hindi . However, Raturis and Gairola choose to serve Garhwali ,
Bahuguna mentioned that Garhwali newspaper ‘Garhwali ’ published the poems of following poets
Poet Poetry
1- Shashi Shekhra Nand Saklani : Shiksha
2- Sanatan Nand Saklani ‘Satkavidas’: Swarth Saptak
3- Devendra Datt Raturi of Tihri : Daridrastak
4- Girija Datt Naithani : Madystak
5-Mathura Datt Naithani : Swadesh Prem
6- Sur Datt Saklani Umanath Ji Ki Stuti, Chetwani
7- Ambika Datt Sharma : Shri Ram Chandra Vandana Varnan
8-Kanauji : Ham Padhan at Kyun Padhan
9-Ratnambar Chandola ‘Ratna’ : Matribhumi, Ainsu ki rood, Bamtali
10-D evendra Saklani : Karuna
11- Dayanand Bahuguna : Kumbh ko Melo
12- Sada Nand Kukreti Jatiya Bhajan
Later on daughter in law of Shashi Shekhra Nand Saklani published his poetry collection as ‘ Puspanjali’.
Vishambar Chandola published first Garhwali poetry collection as ‘Garhwali Kavitawali’ wherein the poems of above twelve poets were published along with poems of other creators. ‘ Garhwali Kavitawali’ is a mile stone in the history of Garhwali poetry.
Bahuguna mentioned about the poem Rami Bauraani by Baldev Prasad Sharma ‘ Deen’ (Bamsu, Tihri)
Baldev Prasad Sharma ‘ Deen’ created lyrical poem ‘Rami Baurani’ which is still very popular today. He published another popular poem ‘Jasi’ in 1927
However, this author does not understand the mentality of Abodh Bahuguna who should have written much about Rami Baurani because Rami Baurani is the first modern Garhwali poetry which attracted not only common Garhwalis but Kumaonis too to sing this poem or Geet. Though, in one context this author opposes Rami Baurani but he also says that no body can deny the importance of Rami Baurani. Today, most of the Garhwalis and Kumaonis presume that Rami Baurani is folk song but in reality , this song is the best example of modern Garhwali poetry who could attract the Garhwali Kumaoni psych because of its subject and lyrical value.
In this period, Ram Prasad Khanduri of Margun, Rawatsyun published many poems in periodicals and later on published in poetry collection form. His poems ‘ France ka Judh’ and Khaudo’ poems became very popular.
Bahuguna further writes that this is the period when Giridhari Lal Dobhal of Ghidi, Banelsyun, Pauri Garhwal, created many affectionate and memorable poems . His poem ‘ Kakh holi meri dandi kanthi’ is still popular . Later on, his daughter Vimala Barthwal (dalodi, Gagwadsyun) published his poetry collection.

Copyright @ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai, India, 2009