Garhwali, Kumaoni, Himalayan Literature

Tara Dutt Gairola : The Initiating Garhwali poet of Modern time
Bhishma Kukreti

Tara Dutt Gairola has many credits as far as Garhwali language is concerned. He was one of the poets who initiated Garhwali poetry writing in modern time. He also brought the Garhwali folk Songs in lime light.
Tara Dutt Gairola was born on 6th June, 1875 in Daldhung village, patti Badyargarh of Tihri Riyasat. He was LLB and shifted to Pauri for his law practices. Tara Dutt Gairola was elected M L C and was awarded Rai Bahdur by British Government.
Gairola was expert of Garhwali, English , Urdu, and Hindi languages.
Tara Dutt Gairola was attached to Garhwali magazine and also edited a first ever Garhwali poetries collection ‘Garhwali Kavitavali’ , wherein there are Garhwali poems of many Garhwali language poets.
Tara dutt Gairola was fine Garhwali poet and he published his Garhwali language poetry collection by name - ‘Sadei’. The poems of ‘Sadei’ are of pathos raptures and emotions.
Tara Dutt published books related to Garhwal -Himalayas in English too. Government Press Allabad published his collection and translated Garhwali folk Stories- Folklores by name- ‘Himalayan Folklores’ . Gairola also wrote the books (till date unpublished ) - A- Glimpse into the History of Garhwal, B- Himalayan Magic, C-Life and Letters of a Garhwali patriot Chandra Mohan Raturi.
Tara Dutt Gairola expired on 28 th May, 1950 in Pauri.

Copyright @ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai, India, 2009