GUJARAT
Geography  |  Area, Population & Literacy  |  Social Structure  |  Culture  |   Language  |  Literary Tradition
Music  |  Folk Dance  |  Ras and Garba

Literary Tradition

In early stages, literary activities in Gujarat, mostly in verses, were mostly confined to religious themes. Till the time, Gujarati emerged as a separate language, all works were written first in Sanskrit, later in Prakrit and then in Apabhramsha. Writers, scholars, poets and acharyas received great encouragement for their works during the Maitraka period. Vallabhi, which was a great seat of learning and no less renowned than the University of Nalanda had among its inhabitants great scholars and savants of all the three religions viz. Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Famous Buddha monks like Acharya Sthirmati and Gunamati, pupils of Vasubandhu, the noted Pandit from Nalanda, lived there in a monastery outside the town. It was also at Vallabhi that the reduction of Jain agamas was carried out during this period Libraries at Vallabhi, Cambay and Patan were also well known at that time. Saints continued to inspire the spiritual and devotional life of the people of Gujarat. Notable among them were literary activity in modern Gujarat took firm roots during the nineteenth century under the influence of English literature. For the dissemination of new ideas and new themes in Gujarati literature, the contribution made by Alexander Kinloch Forbes was noteworthy. He was a great scholar in Gujarati language and literature. In 1848, along with others, he started the Gujarat Vernacular Society at Ahmedabad which heralded the literary renaissance in Gujarat. His ~ Ras Mala in two volumes on the historical· and folk literature of Gujarat is a monumental work. Gandhiji influenced literary life in Gujarat as he did so in many other walks of life, by giving a new orientation to prose writing charaderised by simplicity and vigour. Great authors and poets like Kanaiyalal Munshi, Umashankar joshi, Sundaram, R.V. Desai, Pannalal Patel and Dhumketu had great impact on social culture of Gujarat. The gratest contribution however, to Gujarati literature comes from its folklore, the literature of the people, its folk dances, ras, garbi, garba, bhajan and kirtan, which reveal their way of life, religion and deeds of bravery.

Culture

Geography, history and religious systems had a decisive impact on the residents of Gujarat. In the abroad stream of Indian culture their distinctive traits are reflected in their colourful folk dances, artistic buildings, graceful customs, traditions and handicrafts.In Gujarat, as in the other parts of India, culture is closely interlinked with religion. It has been the basis of all cultural activities, be it in the field of philosophy, literature, architecture, paintings or music. As different people came to Gujarat at different times, it became a confluence as well as melting pot of many religions. Hinduism, Islam and Jainism are the principal religions of the State. Hinduism accounts for 88.9%, Islam for 8.46% and Jainism for 1.99% of its total population. The ruler of various dynasties during the hindu period were either Shaivites or Vaishnavites. But they also encouraged and assisted Jainism and Buddhism. The Maitrak ruler, who were Maheshwaras-devotee of Shiva - also took pride in styling themselves Param Bhagawata.

Grants were liberally given by the maintenance of vihars, temples and ashrams. Royal patronage continued during the Vaghela and Solanki periods when mosques were built by hindu religious leaders for the benefit of Muslim residents. Religious tolerance of Gujarat was of a very high order. The catholicity of its rulers and people was marked by broadness of vision and liberality. The peace and plenty helped Gujarat promote learning, cultivate arts and pursue professions to near perfection.

Sanskrit was the medium of learning and literature in the early periods. Rock edicts at Junagadh were inscribed in Sanskrit. Renowned poets like Bhatti and Magh also wrote in Sanskrit. The great Jain scholar and saint Hemchandracharya wrote a number of books in Sanskrit. Like other languages of the Indo-Aryan family, Gujarati is derived from Sanskrit through Prakrit and Apabhramsha. However, what is now known as Gujarati evolved much later. The language originally spoken in Gujarat and west Rajasthan was known as old western Rajasthani and then as Maru Gujar. Apabhramsha or ancient Gujarati was spoken in this region between the 11th and the 14th century. Old Gujarati then evolved after the establishment of the Sultanate of Gujarat in the 15th century. But it was in the 17th century that the foundations of modern Gujarati were laid. This was assiduously cultivated and ultimately developed into a powerful vehicle of expression by a number o: writers, scholars and poet from Narsinha Mehta to Mahatma Gandhi.

Geography  |  Area, Population & Literacy  |  Social Structure  |  Culture  |   Language  |  Literary Tradition
Music  |  Folk Dance  |  Ras and Garba