In today’s Throwback Thursday we reflect upon the Father of Modern Gujarati Literature, Narmad. We pay homage to the visionary who brought life into the written word. His works are a testament to the power of literature that can shape society, ignite change, and immortalize the human soul. Let us take a glance at his literary universe.
Narmadashankar Lalshankar Dave, fondly known as Narmad was born in 1833 and left a lasting impact until his passing in 1866. Narmad revolutionised Gujarati literature with his vibrant and diverse collection of poems, essays, plays, and other prose. His works still inspire generations of writers, making him an esteemed founder of modern Gujarati literature.
Narmad: The Trailblazer
Narmad was a literary pioneer. He introduced innovative writing styles and forms that were revolutionary to Gujarati literature. He wrote extensively across genres such as autobiography, poetry, lexicography, historical plays and folk literature. Apart from being a writer, he was also an outspoken journalist and pamphleteer who courageously challenged religious fanaticism and orthodoxy, and advocated for nationalism and patriotism. Surprisingly, almost 50 years before Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru, Narmad was the one who put forward the idea of self-government and advocated for a unified national language for India, picturing Hindustani. His compositions such as “Sahu Chalo Jeetva Jang” stirred the feeling of pride and fervour among the people.
Notable Contributions
Penned in 1873, the poem “Jai Jai Garavi Gujarat” resonated in the hearts of Gujaratis to this day. It captures the cultural symbols that shape the identity of Gujarat with Pride, going beyond religious and social boundaries to embrace the diverse castes, communities, races, religions, and sects that are part of the state. This power pact poem earned its rightful title as Gujarat’s state song. Mahatma Gandhi too has acknowledged Narmad’s influence on his philosophy, highlighting his writings’ powerful impact.
Narmad has an extensive body of work which includes collections like “Narmagadya” a compilation of essays, a collection of poems “Narmakavita”, stories from mythological literature “Narmakathakosh”, and a dictionary “Narmakosh”. His autobiography, “Mari Hakikat”, was published posthumously and was the pioneering autobiographical work in Gujarati literature. The three volumes of his essays, meticulously collected and edited, highlighted his intellect and deep insights. Some among them are “Narmadgadya or “Narmadashankar Lalashankarna Gadyatamak Granthrono Sangrah”, “Naramdnu Mandir-Gadya Vibhag,” and “Narmadgadya”.
Narmad’s scholarly pursuits went beyond his writings. He has contributed effort to researching and editing various works, including those of Manohar Swami and Premanand. Some of his noteworthy edited and researched works are “Narmakathakosh”, “Dayaramkrut Kavyasangrah”, “Stree Geet Sangrah”, and the comprehensive “Narmakosh” issue. Moreover, his thought-provoking plays and dialogues such as “Tulsi Vaidhvyachitra,” “Draupadidarshan”, and “Krishnakumari”, showcased his versatility and power over dramatic storytelling.
Literary Legacy
The Literary Legacy of Narmad is reflected in his posthumously published works. “Mari Hakikat”, released in 1933, is his autobiography which remains a cherished gem as the first Gujarati autobiography. A compilation of his letters and notes, titled “Uttar Narmad Charitra” further gives us a glimpse of his life and beliefs. To honour him, a soliloquy was written and directed by the name of “Narmad: Mari Hakikat” by Harish Trivedi.
This production premiered in Dayton, Ohio, in 1955 and moved audiences during its other tours as well in India, UK, and France, which earned critical acclaim. Narmad was a visionary who challenged the status quo and fostered a rich legacy that inspires and resonates with readers and writers. His pioneering spirit and unwavering dedication to his work make him an immortal figure in Gujarati literature.
