Languages and Literature of Gujarat | Gujarat State PSC (GPSC) Preparation: All subjects - GPSC (Gujarat) PDF Download

Diversity of Languages in Gujarat

• Gujarat is home to a diverse population comprising various castes, religions, and communities, resulting in the presence of multiple languages within the state. The official language is Gujarati, an Indo-Aryan language derived from Sanskrit and created by Anand Kukadia, who was well-versed in Hindi and other languages. 
• Gujarati ranks as the 26th most spoken language globally and features eleven distinct dialects across different regions. Additionally, due to Gujarat's proximity to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, a small portion of the population speaks Marwari, Hindi, and Marathi. Urdu and Sindhi are also spoken in the state. Kutch, a significant area in Gujarat with a unique identity, has Kachchi as the primary language.
• Like other Indo-Aryan languages, Gujarati traces its roots to Sanskrit through 'Prakrit' and 'Apabhramsha.' The contemporary form of Gujarati evolved much later. The early language spoken in Gujarat and West Rajasthan was known as old Western Rajasthani, later called Maru Gujar. 
• Between the 11th and 14th centuries, the region spoke 'Apabhramsha' or ancient Gujarati. The language further developed after the establishment of the Gujarat Sultanate in the 15th century, with the foundations of modern Gujarati being laid in the 17th century. Renowned writers, scholars, and poets from Narsinh Mehta to Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in shaping Gujarati into a powerful means of expression.

The Literary Heritage of Gujarat

• Literature provides structure to human experiences and delves into cultural values. In Gujarat, the literary tradition is rich, encompassing folk songs, narratives, theater, and aphorisms. This tradition dates back to the Sultanate period, where stories and messages evolved as they were passed down through generations, leaving behind various versions of myths and legends. Gujarat's literary journey began in the 11th century, heavily influenced by trade, commerce, Hinduism, and Jainism. Before Gujarati developed its own linguistic identity, literary works were predominantly written in Sanskrit and Prakrit. A significant milestone in this journey was the creation of Hemachandracharya’s grammar book, Siddha Hema Shabdanushasan, during 1088-1072.
• Gujarat's literary tradition is closely tied to the Bhakti Movement, which spread across much of India between the 12th and 17th centuries. This movement began in Gujarat with the poet Narsinh Mehta (1414-1481), who is regarded as the 'Father of Gujarati Literature.' He dedicated his life to promoting selfless human compassion, despite facing significant opposition from his community between 1408-1480. Around the 12th century, the teachings of Acharyas like Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya, who were notable critics of Shankaracharya’s philosophy, also influenced the people of Gujarat.
• Between 1342 and 1800, Jain literati had a profound impact on Gujarat, though many of their writings remained hidden or privately held. During this period, Mirabai, the most prominent female poet, devoted her life to the worship of Krishna, joining other saint-poets who composed music and poetry in praise of God. From 1298 to 1420, when the Mohammedans conquered Cambay, Anhilwad, Somnath, Junagadh, and Idar, and laid the foundation of Ahmedabad in 1412 A.D., the languages most commonly used in literature were Sanskrit and Prakrit, with a strong focus on religious themes.

The Evolution of Gujarati Literature

• The art of storytelling through verse, known as Akhyan, was popularized by Premanand (1636-1734), who was also a Mannbhaat—a poet who sang to the accompaniment of a copper pot struck with ringed fingers. In the 12th century, the teachings of Acharyas like Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya, who were prominent critics of Shankaracharya’s philosophy, made their way into Gujarat and left a lasting influence on the people. In the 19th century, the poet Narmad (1833-86) became a pioneer of prose and poetry, using his work to drive social revolution. He advocated for a unified national language, promoted self-government, opposed religious orthodoxy, and was a strong social reformer. His publication, Dandiyo, was a newsletter aimed at raising community awareness against British rule. Narmad also introduced new phrase forms and integrated Western literary styles into his work.
• The period from 1886 to 1907 saw the rise of Govardhanram Tripathi, who was inspired by the Bhakti movement initiated by Narsinh Mehta and Mirabai. He authored the novel Sarasvatichandra, which became one of the most influential works in Gujarati literature, highlighting the complexities of society and advocating for social reforms.
• In 1815 A.D., Girdhar wrote the only popular versified Ramayana. During the 1800s, poets like Ranchod Bhakta, Ranchodji Divan, and Hari Bhatt produced Gujarati literature centered around Krishna. K.M. Munshi, active from 1887 to 1971, brought history to life by writing about the Solanki Dynasty. Zaverchand Meghani (1897-1947) compiled and published the rich oral traditions of Saurashtra, while Pannalal Patel wrote about rural Gujarat, and Sundaram focused on the plight of the poor. Umashankar Joshi (1911-1988) introduced the free verse form of poetry, making a significant contribution to Gujarati literature.
• The beginning of World War I marked the onset of the Gandhian era (1915-45) in Gujarati literature, characterized by humanism, social consciousness, and a strong national spirit. This era was filled with patriotic literature, with contributions from critics like K.M. Munshi, Meghani, Rasiklal Parikh, and others. In the post-Gandhian period, critics like Niranjan Bhagat, Yashwant Shukla, and Dhirubhai Thakkar continued to influence Gujarati literature, alongside other philosophical and linguistic authors.
• Gujarat Vidyapith became a hub for literary activities, fostering new values and emphasizing Gujarati literature. This period saw a surge in novels, short stories, diaries, letters, plays, essays, criticisms, biographies, travel books, and other prose forms. The British presence in India waned, and with the advent of printing technology, English language and education gained prominence. The modern era has seen a flourishing of literature reflecting new age thinking, social welfare, criticism, plays, patriotism, politics, spirituality, management, facts, fiction, and more.
• Today, Gujarati literature is no longer confined to the Gujarati language, as English literature has also gained a foothold. Many Gujarati authors are now venturing into multilingual writing, and English literature is being translated into Gujarati. For example, works by authors like Paul Coelho are now available in Gujarati. Additionally, children's literature, arts literature, and women's literature are gaining prominence in both Gujarati and English. The trend of author meets, book launches, debates, and review sessions is growing, promoting the idea that knowledge is power.
• The book publishing industry and the internet have opened new avenues for writers, with works being published as e-books, made available through platforms like Google Open Book, and self-published through Print on Demand (POD) services. This has allowed for the global promotion of Gujarati literature.