Critical History of Garhwali Literature

History of Literature
History of Indian Literature
History of Himalayan Language Literature
Critical History of Garhwali Literature
Pani: A Satirical Long Poem (Khand Kavy) by Narendra Kathait

Narendra Kathait is one of the important signatures for writing satirical Garhwali prose. The poetry collections of volumes Tup Tup and Pani prove that Kathit can create satirical verses with the same ease as prose.
There is a proverb in rural Uttarakhand , “ pahad ka Naunyal ar Pani Pahad ka Kam ni And , Dui taul Deshund bhaji Jandan” meaning that the water of Uttarakhand and youth are not useful for Uttarakhand, both runs towards plains. Yes! This statement is true that Ganges and Jamuna, Nayar, Hinwal rivers are there in Garhwal but Garhwalis can not use them and youth migrate in their early age in search of jobs or beter education. Water had been a major problem for Garhwalis for centuries. This is also a historical fact that our forefathers were haaving perfect knowledge of water conservation.
Due to necessary developmental works (making motor roads etc) , the old reserviors are drying up and there is now, more and more shortage of potable water and water for irrigation in Garhwal. In such circumstances, the sensible creative can not sit idle. Narendra Kathait created fine satirical poems centering drying up of water reservoirs, dried water pipelines because of corruption in administration and political system.
Narendra Negi took the clue from Gangavtarn and made Bhagirathi (it is said that Bhagirath brought Ganges from heaven) the main character or hero for creating poetries of his long poem (Khandkavy) Pani . This author call a wise thinking by Kathit for making Bhagirath as hero of long poem Pani. Kathit created Bhagirath as a remarkable symbol as modern corrupted engineer in this long poetry.
Kathit criticized planners, engineers, contractors, auditors, the local self governing bodies, for not taking the required care in water management in Garhwal because every body is engaged in corruption and not spending the planned money on water management in rural Garhwal.
Beside criticizing the government agencies, contractor and political system, Kathait did criticize the society too as they are not aware about their duties and right for correcting the system. Narendra condemns the whole society for sleeping on their past laurels and not taking stock for present and future.
Narendra used simple language, old symbols , proverbs, known mythological characters , astounding imagination, day to day problems of common men in creating this long poem Pani. The wordings create humour and satire and the reader enjoys in reading the poems and at the same time Narendra Kathit becomes successful in provoking the readers too by his satire and wit. Since, the poems are based on reality of rural Garhwal, the readers feel as the poems are their own experiences.
Though, the poems in prose style but have amusable flow. Many dialects are from Bangadsyun area .
Garhwali critic Bhagwati Prasad Nautiyal states that Narendra Kathait has his own style, flow, temperament, disposition in creating Garhwali satirical poems .
Pani : Garhwali Khandkavy
By Narendra Kathit
Year of Publication 2008AD
Publisher: Abhash Yatharth C /O Samay Saxya, Faltu Line, Dehradun

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai, India 2010