Nirbiju: First Garhwali Novel for Children and Youth

Critical Review of Garhwali Language Novel-1

Critical Review of ‘Nirbiju’ (2013) A Garhwali Novel by Dr. Umesh Chamola

                                     Bhishma Kukreti

[Notes on First regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Garhwali Novel for Children and Youth; First Uttarakhandi regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Mid Himalayan regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Himalayan regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First North Indian regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Indian regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First South Asian regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Asian regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Oriental regional language Novel for Children and Youth]

  There are a few novels in Garhwali language and could be counted on fingers. Baldev Prasad Nautiyal wrote first Garhwali novel (around 1940) Daya Dhar Bamrada, Abodh Bandhu Bahuguna and Harsh Parvteey are other Garhwali novelists.  

 ‘Nirbiju’ is a mini novel and attracts children and old aged readers with same intensity. It may be said that ‘Nirbiju’ is first Garhwali novel suitable for children and youth.

   Novel writing in Garhwali started in 1942 but still it is in orphan stage from numbers of novels are concerned. ‘Nirbiju’ is one step of fulfilling the need of novel suitable for children and youth.

 ‘Nirbiju’ has two meanings in Garhwali- the plant don’t  grow through seeds but through other means as sugarcane, ginger etc nd such plants are called ‘Nirbiju’. There are seeds those don’t have capacity to give birth to plant and those seeds are also called ‘nirbiju’. The novel writer took ‘Nirbiju’ for seeds those don’t have capacity to give birth to a new generation.  

              The story plot is of old kingdom style but the subject is related to contemporary needs. The king Mahendra Pratap of Shergarh attacks the Saurgarh kingdom. There was bloodbath in the battle. The princess of Saurgarh Rupani preached Mahendra for love and peace.  Mahendra Pratap was influenced and stop battle. Both fell in love and they married each other.  Their married life was an example for lovers. However, one day the king fell in love with court dancer Mohani and marries her. The dancer and her relatives took over the kingdom charge though appointing their relative on key positions.  The well wishers of king Mahendra and queen Rupni cautions the king for new happenings in the court but King does not pay attention. Rupni dies due to deception of Mohani. The king kills the relatives of Mohani  but at the end Mahendra Pratap is also killed. There was no body for new generation (Nirbiju).

   The story construction is so tight and cryps that readers would like to read novel many times.  The dialogues are small and very appropriate as per the characters. The characterizations are of great style and are as per the theme. There are proverbs those provide speed to story and pleasure to the readers.

  The dialects are from upper Garhwal-Chamoli region.

The novelist is successful in discussing the values without any dry preaching.

The novel promises for Dr. Umesh Chamola being a great novelist in future.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti 22/3/2012

Critical Review of Garhwali Language Novel to be continued…2

  Notes on First regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Garhwali Novel for Children and Youth; First Uttarakhandi regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Mid Himalayan regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Himalayan regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First North Indian regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Indian regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First South Asian regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Asian regional language Novel for Children and Youth; First Oriental regional language Novel for Children and Youth to be continued…