Gujarati writers

The history of Gujarati literature can be divided into three broad periods: Early period (upto c.1450 A.D.), the Middle period (up to 1850 A.D.) and the Modern period (1850 A.D. onwards). It is claimed that the earliest writings in Gujarati was by Jaina authors. These were in the form of Rasas, Phagus and Vilasas. The rasas were long poems which were heroic, romantic or narrative in nature. Salibhadra Suri’s Bharatesvara Bahubalirasa (1185 A.D.), Vijayasena’s Revanagiri-rasa (1235 A.D.), Ambadeva’s Samararasa (1315 A.D.) and Vinayaprabha’s Gautama Svamirasa (1356 A.D.) are the best examples of this form of literature. The other notable Prabandha or narrative poems of this period include Sridhara’s Ranamalla Chanda (1398 A.D.), Merutunga’s Prabodhachintamani, Padmanabha’s Kanhadade Prabandha (1456 AD) and Bhima’s Sadayavatsa Katha (1410 A.D.). The phagus are poems which depict the joyous nature of the spring festival (Vasantha). Rajasekhara’s Neminatha-phagu (1344 A.D.) and Gunavanta’s Vasantha-vilasa (1350 A.D.) are best examples of such texts. Neminatha Catuspadika (1140 A.D.) by Vinayachandra is the oldest of the baramasi genre of Gujarati poems. The earliest work in Gujarati prose was Tarunaprabha’s Balavabodha (1355 A.D.). Prithvichandra Charita (1422 A.D.) of Manikyasundara, which is a religious romance, is the best representation of Old Gujarati prose and is reminiscent of Bana’s Kadambari.

During the 16th century, the Gujarati literature came under the strong influence of the Bhakti movement. Narsimha Mehta (1415-1481 A.D.) was the foremost poet of this period. His poems very spiritual and mystical and were a deep reflection of the philosophy of Advaitism. His Govinda Gamana, Surata Sangrama, Sudama Charitra and Sringaramala are outstanding specimens of devotional poetry. Another poet, Bhalana (1434-1514 A.D.) rendered Bana’s Kadambari into Gujarati. He also authored other important works like Dasama Skandha, Nalakhyana, Ramabala Charitra and Chandi Akhyana. Yet another poet, Mandana, produced great works like Prabodha Battisi, Ramayana and Rukmangada Katha. In this period, the Ramayana, the Bhagwad Gita, the Yogavashistha and the Panchatantra were all translated into Gujarati.

The 17th and the 18th centuries were dominated by three great Gujarati poets – Aksayadasa or Akho (1591-1656), Premananda Bhatta (1636-1734) and Syamaladasa Bhatta or Samala (1699-1769). Akho’s Akho Gita, Cittavicara Samvada and Anubhava Bindu are emphatic works on the Vedanta. Premananda Bhatta, who is considered as the greatest of all the Gujarati poets, was instrumental in raising the Gujarati language and literature to new heights. Of his several works, the important ones are Okha Harana, Nalakhyana, Abhimanyu Akhyana, Dasama Skandha, Sudama Charitra and Sudhanva Khyana. Samala was also a prolific poet who produced great works like Padmavati, Batrisa Putali, Nanda Batrisi, Simhasana Batrisi and Madana Mohana. This period also witnessed the Puranic revival which led to the proliferation of devotional poetry in Gujarati.

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