Garhwali, Himalayas Poet-38

Lalit Keshwan : The Initiator of Neo Modernism in Garhwali Poetry
(Review of-- Garhwali Literature, Garhwali Poems, Garhwali folk Literature)
Bhishma Kukreti


The Garhwali, Uttarakhand , Himalayan poetry can not be described without description of Lalit Keshwan. He along with Kanhayalal Dandriyal and Jayanand Khuksal ‘Baulya’ brought new thinking, realism, new style, new form, sharp satire,
Lalit Keshwan - the Garhwali poet, prose maker and Hindi poet was born in Sirali village, Idwalsyun Patti of Pauri Garhwal in 1940.
After, completing High School from Garhwali, he came to Delhi and struggled to settle down in the capital of India. The struggle in getting suitable job till he got back office job in Ashok Hotel made him poet. The new style of living in a five star hotel-Ashok Hotel by guests inspired him to break the old pattern of poetry creation in Garhwali language. He broke all the orthodoxies of old modern Garhwali poetry creation. In breaking old pattern of Garhwali poetry, he never left the touch of attracting the audience and readers. The readers may always, enjoy the rhymical , singing ability in his prose-poetry , he also acted in Garhwali film Dhai.
Besides, Garhwali language poetry creation, he also created poetry and prose in Hindi language.
He is still in demand in Garhwali Kavisammelan ( Reading poetry in conferences) because of his sharp satiric subject, lyrical pattern, contemporariness, freshness in the subject.
His publication details are as :
1-Khilda Phool, Hansda pat (Garhwali poetry collection)
2-Hari Hindwan a historical lyrical drama in Garhwali and Hindi languages
3-Dilhyan Din Tapyan Gham ( A Garhwali verses collection)
4- Jaga Hai desh (hindi poetry collection)
5- hamari ekta Jindbad (Hindi poetry collection)
6-Sabko Gale Lagate ( children poetry)
Udan tastary (stories for children)

Dr Shivanad Nautiyal praised him for his modernity in Garhwali literature and for thrilling the readers. Parashar Gaud put Keshwan among the top most poets of world poetry. Bhajan Singh Singh the famous Garhwali poet appreciated his work for changing the scenario in Garhwali language poetry. Another signature in Garhwali poetry world, Shambhu Prasad Bahugna eulogizes him for realism in Garhwali poetry.
He was reviewed well by many famous Garhwali critics as Rajendra Dhashmana, Swaroop Dhoundiyal, Prem lal Bhatt, Netra Singh Aswal and is awarded by Navani Puruskar anfd Uttar Pradesh government too

Copyright @ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai, India, 2009