Ghundya Dyur: Struggle among Body, Social Norms and Individuality

(Review of Modern Garhwali Fiction by Rama Prasad Ghildiyal ‘Pahadi’)

       [Let us Celebrate Hundredth year of Modern Garhwali Fiction!]

                            Bhishma Kukreti

[Notes on Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms; Garhwali Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms; Uttarakhandi Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms;  Mid Himalayan Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms;  Himalayan Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms; North Indian Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms;  Indian Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms;  south Asian Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms;  Asian Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms]  

             Rama Prasad Ghildiyal ‘Pahadi’ was famous left wing modern Hindi fiction writer. In his last days of his life he worked for promoting and preserving Garhwali oral and written literature. ‘Pahadi’ was famous for his writing letters to Garhwali creative. This author is fortunate to have communication with ‘Pahadi’.

   Rama Prasad Ghildiyal ‘Pahadi’ wrote two modern Garhwali stories- ‘Ghundya Dyur’ and Meri Moonga Kakh Holi

    ‘Pahadi’ published his story ‘Ghundya Dyur’ in Hilans (January 1980).

  ‘Ghundya Dyur’ deals with the old custom of Garhwal when younger brother law (Devar/Dyur) of young age used to marry his aged widow sister in law (Bhauj/bau). There were social reasons for accepting such custom. Main reason was various needs for widow specially body need and social security.  

   Hari Singh had to marry his aged widow sister in law due to economic compulsion.  People used to tease Hari Singh as ‘husband of old woman.” Hari Singh starts alcohol consumption.

    Hari Singh started dating with his Sali( sister of Bhauj) due to psychological pressure of young body . However, when Hari Singh meets his old school mate the life changes.

  The story deals with many dimensions of needs of widow woman, her need for social security and the psychological need of a young boy married to aged woman.

 Pahadi synthesized social mood, problems and psychology effective in modern Garhwali fiction ‘Ghundya Dyur’ effectively

Reference-

1-Abodh Bandhu Bahuguna, Gad Myateki Ganga

2-Dr Anil Dabral, 2007 Garhwali Gady Parampara

3-Bhagwati Prasad Nautiyal, articles on Durga Prasad Ghildiyal l in Chitthi Patri

4-Dr. Nand Kishor Dhoundiyal, Garhwal Ki Divangat Vibhutiyan

5-Notes of Prem lal Bhatt on the Stories of Durga Prasad Ghildiyal

6- Hilans (January, 1980)

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, 30/7/2012  

Notes on Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms; Garhwali Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms; Uttarakhandi Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms;  Mid Himalayan Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms;  Himalayan Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms; North Indian Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms;  Indian Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms;  south Asian Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms;  Asian Fiction of Struggle- Individuality and social norms to be continued…

          Let us Celebrate Hundredth year of Modern Garhwali Fiction!