Literature of Rajasthan

"The heroic sentiment which is the essence of every song and couplet of a Rajasthani is peculiar emotion of its own of which, however, the whole country may be proud" Rabindranath Tagore.

The literature of Rajasthan can be defined as distinctive and active due to its traditional customs continuing since the ancient times. Renowned because of its cultural heritance, art and crafts the literature of Rajasthan can be divided into three categories.

Ancient Rajasthan Literature:
 Each and every period has its own style, language and content. Since 1050 A.D only two languages prevailed i.e. Maru-Gurjar in which mainly the quote’s were written. During that period most of the verses were written about Jainism in Maru i.e., Rajasthan and Gurjar i.e., Gujarati style. The main difference between ancient and medieval period is found only in literature, where in the ancient time most of the writing were based on Jains, in the beginning of the medieval period Akhyan Kavya and devotional poetry came into existence and developed.

 The literature during the ancient period is based on Jainism. The another important literature that swung during that period was ‘secular love poetry’. These are religious poetries spreading the teaching of love and secular state to the people. Still most of them are sing as common folk songs by the traditional folk singer. This period also encouraged the caran poeteries.

Medieval Rajasthani Literature:
The caran style of poetries that came into existence by the end of ancient period got flourished and popularized during medieval period. The unique piece of cara work during that period is `Vacanika Acaldas Khiciri`. The belief in worship of goddess Karanji and five pirs gave speed to the literature and society of that period more importantly to the folk literature of Rajasthan. The literature written during that period from 1450 to 1650 reached to the new heights and every area.

There was a complete fleet of carans and poets who wrote extensively on the heroic deeds of the warriors. The three important directors of the society in medieval period were king, religion and traditions. The religious poems also known as sant poetry is considered as the produce of such section which were self willed.

There were some sections who believed in the physical appearance of God but not in worship of a particular God, where as there were few who believed neither in any  but only in one unseen God. Whereas there were some who adored both the physical Gods and some particular Gods. This difference in belief undoubtedly effected the writing of that period. However, Akhyan Kavyas continued in this period also.

Modern Rajasthani Literature:
 With the introduction of British rule in country the literature also effected. The impact of british rule can be noticed in the writings of that period. With the spread of western education every thing started got changing whether it was society, traditions, culture or any other sector impact of western education could be seen every where. All these changes also effected the literature of Rajasthan. This change can be noticed in the poems written during the 1850 A.D. Shift from medieval to modern period can also be considered as the shifting of literature.

Where the old Rajasthan literature had poems based on nature the poems of this period was dedicated to pay tribute to the historical personalities. The poems sung during that period represented the patriotic and heroic literature of Rajasthan of that period. Besides the poems, the literature is also in form of essays, biographies, magazines, literary criticism, recollections, poetic prose, etc.

Keeping pace with the early centuries Rajasthani literature is progressing continuously under the assistance of ruling government of each period.