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| Home > Regional Literature > Marathi Literature > Modern Marathi Literature
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| | Modern Marathi Literature
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The modern period of Marathi Literature divides into four ages.The first period starts from 1800 to 1885, the second from 1885 to 1920, the third from 1921 to 1945, and finally the last period continues till now.In this period, almost all forms of literature in prose and poetry were developed and even scientific literature was produced.Under the British rule, attempts were made to enrich both the language and literature.
The Raja of Tanjore got the first English Book translated to Marathi in 1817. Several more such attempts were made and translation work was encouraged a lot. Chhatre, Bal Shastri Jambhekar, Lokahitavadi and Jotiba Phule wrote on various topics in Marathi.
The first Marathi newspaper was started in 1835, and Baba Padamji`s Yamuna Paryatan was the first Marathi novel written on social reform in 1857.
However, this period was a lean one for original poetry and only translations of Sanskrit poems were produced. Establishment of the University of Bombay in 1858 and the starting of the newspaper Kesari in 1880-81 gave a boost to the development of Modern Marathi Literature. Keshavasuta (1866-1905), the first Marathi revolutionary poet, launched Modern Marathi poetry with his first poem.
In this period two groups of poets, Ravikiran Mandal and Kavi Tambi, together encouraged some great poets like Ananta Kanekar (Chandarat), Kavi Anil (Phulwat) and N G Deshpande. Poetry after 1945 explores human life in all its shades. B S Mardhekar set the fashion of this trend for P S Rage, Vinda Karandikar, Vasant Bapat and Shanta Shelke.
Marathi Dramas
Vishnudas Bhave was the pioneer of Marathi drama which was born in 1843. Other great dramatists were B P Kirloskar (Saubhadra), G B Deval (Sharada), R G Gadkari (Ekach Pyala), Mama Varerkar (Apporva Bangal) and P L Deshpande (Amaldar). Marathi stage is still following its rich tradition and is a very popular form of entertainment.
Publishment of Novels and Short Stories
Novels were not far behind, and the first to be published was `Madhali Sthiti` by Hari Narayan Apte (1864-1919). Natha Madhav, CV Vaidya, Prof V M Joshi, V S Khandekar, Sane Guruji, Kusumvati Deshpande, Kamalabai Tilak are the prominent novelists of the Marathi language. The short story and essay forms came into existence in this period through Diwakar Krishna, H N Apte and V S Gurjar. S M Mate, Durga Bhagwat, N S Phadke are well-known essayists in Marathi, a rich language in all its forms and branches with a history of over a thousand years. It occupies a distinct position in the field of Indian Literature and will continue to do so even in the near future. The late nineteenth century in Maharashtra is the period of colonial modernity. Like the corresponding periods in the other Indian languages, this was the period dominated by the English educated intellectuals. It was the age of prose and reason. It was the period of reformist diadicticism and a great intellectual ferment.
The first English Book was translated in Marathi in 1817. The first Marathi newspaper started in 1835. Many books on social reforms were written by Baba Padamji (Yamuna Paryatana, 1857), Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Lokhitwadi, Justice M G Ranade, Hari Narayan Apte (1864-1919) etc. Lokmanya Tilak`s newspaper Kesari, set up in 1880, provided a platform for sharing literary views. Marathi at this time was efficiently aided by Marathi Drama. Here, there also was a different genre called `Sangit Natya` or Musicals. The first play was V.A. Bhave`s Sita Swayamvar in 1841. Later Kirioskar (1843-85) and G.B. Deval (1854-19l6) brought a romantic aroma and social content. But Krishnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar (1872~1948) with his banned play Kichaka-Vadh (1910) set the trend of political playwriting.Later on this "stage" was ably served by stalwarts like Ram Ganesh Gadkari and Prahlad keshav Atre.The Drama Flourished in 60s and 70s with few of the best indian actors available to take on a variety of protagonists. Mohan Agashe, Sriram Lagoo, Kashinath Ghanekar, Prabhakar Panshikar playing many immortal characters penned by greats like Vasant Kanetkar, Kusumagraj, vijay Tendulkar to name a few. This Drama movement was ably supported by Marathi films which did not enjoy a continuous success. Starting with V.Shantaram and before him the pioneer DadaSaheb Phalke, Marathi cinema went on to influence contemporary hindi cinema. Director Raja Paranjape, Music director Sudhir Phadke ,lyricist G.Madgulkar and actor Raja Gosavi came together to give quiet a few hits in later period.
Marathi Language as spoken by people here was throughout influenced by drama and cinema alongwith contemporary literature. Modern Marathi poetry began with Mahatma Jyotiba Phule`s compositions. The later poets like Keshavsuta, Balakavi, Govindagraj, and the poets of Ravi Kiran Mandal like Madhav Julian wrote poetry which was influenced by the Romantic and Victorian English poetry. It was largely sentimental and lyrical.PK Atre, the renowned satirist and a politician wrote a parody of this sort of poetry in his collection Jhenduchi Phule. Sane Guruji (1899-1950) contributed to the children`s literature in Marathi. His major works are Shyamchi Aai (Shyam`s Mother), Astik (Believer), Gode Shevat (The Sweet Ending) etc. He translated and simplified many Western Classics and published them in a book of stories titled Gode Goshti (Sweet Stories). Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar (1889-1976)`s YayaTi won him the Jnanpith Award for 1975. He also wrote many other novels, short stories, essays etc. His major works are Don Dhruv (Two Poles), Ulka (Meteorite) , Krounchavadh, Jalalela Mohar, Amrutvel.
The major paradigm shift in sensibility began in the forties with the avant-garde modernist poetry of B.S. Mardhekar. In the mid fifties, the `little magazine movement` gained momentum. It published writings which were non-conformist, radical and experimental. Dalit literary movement also gained strength due to the little magazine movement. This radical movement was influenced by the philosophy of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and challenged the literary establishment which comprised of largely middle class,urban and upper caste people. The little magazine movement threw up many excellent writers. Bhalchandra Nemade is a well known novelist, critic and poet. The poetry of Arun Kolatkar, Dilip Chitre, Namdeo Dhasal, Vasant Abaji Dahake, Manohar Oak and many other modernist poets is complex, rich and provokative. Bhau Padhye,Vilas Sarang Shyam Manohar and Visharm Bedekar are well known fiction writers.
Datta Raghunath Kavthekar, a renowned Marathi novelist of the 1930s through the late 70s era. Popular for novels and collections of short stories depicting aspects of human relationships and emotions. Movies based on his stories includes `Kunkavacha Karanda`.
N. S. Phadake Narayan Sitaram Phadake. P.K. Atre Prahlad Keshav Atre. Biography - Karheche Pani. penname - Keshavkumar. Krishnaji Keshav Damale known as Keshavsut. P.L. Deshpande is affectionately referred to as "Pu La". Purushottam Laxman Deshpande.From pure situational humour to modern classics, to Marathi film music direction, "Pu La" did everything. He has written, directed & gave music to a Marathi classic - Gulacha Ganpati. He has also contributed a great deal to Indian classical music, by way of his inspired solo performances on the harmonium.
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