Garhwali, Kumaoni, Himalayan Literature

Ratnamber Datt Chandola ‘ratna ’ : A Garhwali Language Poet of Imagery
Bhishma Kukreti

Ratnamber Chandola is more known for his poems, plays, articles in Hindi and works in English language. Ratnamber Datt Chandola created Garhwali poems in his young age and Garhwali magazine published many such poems around mid-thirties. Chandola was sparkling in portraying landscape of Garhwal and its inhabitants. The Garhwali poems of Ratnamber are influenced by Garhwali folk songs specially ‘Baramasa’ . Chandola was successful in depicting seasons of Garhwal.
Ratnamber Chandola was born in a Himalayan village , Thapli, Kafolsyun of Pauri Garhwal in 1901. He worked in armed force.
Ratnamber Datt contributed more to Hindi literature and is famous for his poetry books- Madhukosh; plays as Tuta Khilona, biography- mri man. In English language, Ratnamber is remembered for ‘Crusade to Colombo’ and ‘ A Romance of a Broken Doll’ .
Ratnamber Datt Chandola verses in Garhwali language in his young age. It clearly shows that Garhwali folk songs specially ’ Baramasa’ influenced him writing poems about nature. Chandola also wrote on the struggle of Garhwalis due to seasonal changes in Garhwal
An example is :
Ainsu ki rudiyun ma chhan gham chamkyan
Barkha jara ni hoi , chhan Indra devta Ruthann
Pani bina tisala chhan goru bhansa chatoyant
Hovan jan ki yunka talu man pran atkyan
Ratnamber Chandola expired on 27th February 1975 in Delhi .

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