Garhwali Language - Garhwali Literature

Garhwali Literature

Garhwali has a rich literature in all genres including poetry, novels, short stories and plays. Earlier, Garhwali literature was present only as folklore. Although Garhwali was the official language of the Kingdom of Garhwal since 8th century, the language of literature was mostly Sanskrit. The oldest manuscript that has been found is a poem named "Ranch Judya Judige Ghimsaan Ji" written by Pt. Jayadev Bahuguna (16th century). In 1828 AD, Maharaja Sudarshan Sah wrote "Sabhaasaar". In 1830 AD, American missionaries published the New Testament in Garhwali. Thereafter, Garhwali Literature has been flourishing despite government negligence. Today, newspapers like "Uttarakhand Khabarsar" and "Rant Raibaar" are published entirely in Garhwali. Magazines like "Baduli", "Hilaans", "Chtthi-patri" and "Dhaad" contribute in the development of Garhwali language. Some of the important Garhwali writers and their prominent creations are:

• • Abodhbandhu Bahuguna - "Ankh-Pankh", "Bhoomyal" and "Ragdwaat"
  • Kanhaiyyalal Dandriyal - "Anjwaal"
  • Jayakrishna Daurgadati - "Vedant Sandesh"
  • Sadanand Kukreti
  • Atmaram Gairola
  • Taradutt Gairola - "Sadei"
  • Satyasharan Raturi - "Utha Garhwalyun!"
  • Bhawanidutt Thapliyal - "Pralhad"
  • Chandramohan Raturi - "Phyunli"
  • Chakradhar Bahuguna - "Mochhang"
  • Bhajan Singh 'Singh' - "Singnaad"
  • Keshavanand Kainthola - "Chaunphal Ramayan"
  • Bholadutt Devrani - "Malethaki Kool"
  • Bhagbati Prasad Panthri - "Adah Patan" and "Paanch Phool"
  • Shreedhar Jamloki - "Garh-durdasa"
  • Mahaveer Prasad Gairola - "Parbati"
  • Govind Chatak - "Kya Gori Kya Saunli"
  • Dr. Shivanand Nautiyal
  • Lokesh Nawani - "Phanchi"
  • Durga Prasad Ghildiyal - "Bwari", "Mwari" and "Gaari"
  • Premlal Bhatt - "Umaal"
  • Sudaama Prasad Premi - "Agyaal"
  • Lalit Mohan Thapliyal - "Achhryunki taal"
  • Jayanand Khugsaal - "Jhalmatu dada"
  • Harsh Parvatiya - "Gainika nau par"
  • Purushottam Dobhal
  • Dr. Narendra Gauniyal - "Dheet"
  • Pratap Shikhar - "Kuredi phategi"
  • Gireesh Juyal 'Kutaj' - "Khigtaat"
  • Madan Mohan Duklaan - "Aandi-jaandi saans"
  • Veerendra Negi - "Inma kankwei aan basant"
  • Lalit Keshwan - "Khilda Phool Hainsda Paat", "Hari Hindwaan"
  • Sulochana Parmar
  • Beena Benjwal - "Kamedaa Aakhar"
  • Chinmay Sayar - "Aunar"
  • Bachan Singh Negi - "Garhwali translation of Mahabharat and Ramayan"

In 2010, the Sahitya Akademi has conferred Bhasha Samman on two Garhwali writers- Sudama Prasad 'Premi' and Premlal Bhatt. The Sahitya Akademi also organized "Garhwali Bhasha Sammelan"(Garhwali Language Convention) at Pauri Garhwal in June 2010. Many Garhwali Kavi Sammelan (poetry readings) are organized in different parts of Uttarakhand and, in Delhi and Mumbai.