Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh

Infobox Writer
name = Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh


imagesize = 150px
birthdate = birth date|1917|11|13|mf=y
birthplace = Shyorpur, Gwalior district, IND
deathdate = death date and age|1964|9|11|1917|11|13|mf=y
deathplace = Rajnandgaon District, Chhattisgarh, IND
occupation = writer, poet, essayist, literary critic, political critic

Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh (गजानन माधव मुक्तिबोध) (November 13, 1917ndash September 11,1964) [http://hi.literature.wikia.com/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B5_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7 Biography and Works of Muktibodh] ] was one of the most prominent Hindi poets, essayist, literary and political critic, and fiction writers of the 20th century. He also remained assistant-editor of journals like, "Naya Khun" and "Vasudha" etc [http://www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/lekhak/g/gajanan_madhav_muktibodh.htm Muktibodh Profile] www.abhivyakti-hindi.org.] . He is widely considered one of the pioneers of modern poetry in India [http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/old_version/glos.htm Muktibodh] Sahitya Akademi Official website.] , and doyen of Hindi poetry after, Surya Kant Tripathi 'Nirala' [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000910/spectrum/books.htm#1 Resurrection of Kumar Vikal] The Tribune, September 10, 2000.] , and known as being a pioneer, the mainstay of "Prayogvaad" Progressivism movement of Hindi literature and it was also his work, which also marked the culmination of this literary movement and its evolution into the "Nayi Kahani" and "Nayi Kavita" Modernism in 1950s, his presence is equally important in the rise of ‘New Criticism’ in Indian literature.

He started out as an important poet, being published in the first three volumes of "Tar Saptak", series of anthologies (1943), which marked a transition in Hindi literature, from the prevalent Chhayavaad movement; this led to the initiation of "Prayogvaad" Experimentalism in Hindi poetry, and developing along with "Pragativaad" Progressivism, eventually led to the creation of the ‘Nayi Kahani’ (New Story) movement, Modernism .

"Brahmarakshas" (ब्रह्मराक्षस) is considered his most influential work in experimental poems, noted for the use of archetypal imagery, and the stark depiction of the contemporary intellectual, who gets so lost in his own sense of perfectionism, unending calculations, and subjective interpretation of the external reality that soon he looses touch with the reality itself, and eventually dies and fades away like dead bird [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=m1R2Pa3f7r0C&pg=PA161&vq=Muktibodh&dq=Gajanan+Madhav+Muktibodh&source=gbs_search_s&sig=ACfU3U3muK4tKAq4nTOFpTVMIPJSH5B6AA Experimentalism] Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: An Anthology, by K. M. George, 1992, Sahitya Akademi, ISBN 8172013248. Page 161-162.] .

His work was deeply influenced by his viewpoints of Marxism, Socialism and Existentialism, and carried an innate expression of his deep discontent, heightened by his virulent imagery [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=m1R2Pa3f7r0C&pg=PA620&vq=Muktibodh&dq=Gajanan+Madhav+Muktibodh&source=gbs_search_s&sig=ACfU3U27TwEYHgRJ-Kz7pPIjBzOQGSpjvg#PPA621,M1 Muktibodh -"Brahmarakshas"] Modern Indian Literature: An Anthology, by K. M. George, 1992, Sahitya Akademi, ISBN 8172013248. Page 621.] . He continued to show his progressive streak even after the disintegration of the Progressive Writers' Movement after 1953; and, through the rest of his career, he along with writers like, Yashpal, continued his ideological fight against modernist and formalist trends in Hindi literature [ [http://www.jlsindia.org/issuesinliterature.htm Issues in Literature] Janwadi Lekhak Sangh.] .

He is best known for his long poems:"Brahma-rakshasa" (ब्रह्मराक्षस), "Chand ka Muh Teda hai" (The Moon Wears a Crooked Smile) (चाँद का मुहँ टेढ़ा है), "Andhere Mein" (In the Dark) (अंधेरे में) and "Bhuri Bhuri Khak Dhul" (The Brown Dry Dust) (भूरी भूरी ख़ाक धूल); his complete works extending to 6 volumes, were published in 1980, as "Muktibodh Rachnavali".

'Sharadchandra Madhav Muktibodh' (1921-1985) a Marathi poet, novelist, and Marxist critic, winner of 1979, Sahitya Akademi Award in Marathi, was the younger brother of Muktibodh [ [http://www.ciil-ebooks.net/html/kelkar/html1/f64.htm NOTES 12] www.ciil-ebooks.net.]

Works

His first individual book was published in 1964, when he was on his death-bed: "Chand Ka Muh Teda Hai" (चाँद का मुहँ टेढ़ा है). Although Muktibodh could not manage to get his works published, as a book in his lifetime, he was one of the contributing poets to the first three volumes of "Tar Saptak", a series of path-breaking poetry anthologies, edited by Ajneya.

He is today considered a bridge between the Progressive movement in Hindi poetry and the "Nayi Kavita" (Modern Poetry) movement.

Muktibodh made a name for himself in the field of criticism as well, with his strong views on the upper caste influence on the disintegration of Bhakti movement in India, which he viewed a lower caste uprising against the hegemony upper caste [ [http://www.sabrang.com/cc/comold/march98/dalit.htm Dalit] "According to Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh: the Bhakti movement began as a revolt of the lower castes/lower classes against the upper castes/upper classes; it drew people from all castes/classes but the egalitarian agenda was generally raised by the lower caste saints; and, when the movement was taken over by the upper castes, the entire movement disintegrated." ] . In literary criticism, he wrote a critical work on "Kamayani" of literary doyen, Jaishankar Prasad titled: "Kamayani, Ek Punarvichar".

"Ek Sahityik ki Diary", first written for his column in the weekly "Naya Khun", and later continued in the journal "Vasudha", published from Jabalpur (1957-60), offers a glimpse of his literary and socio-political criticism, and insights into his way of thinking, and was first published in 1964. It is most noted for the article, "Teesra Kshana" (Third Moment), where he shows his preference for the hypothesis of three successive stages in the creative process, of inspiration, impersonalization and expression, rather than a single moment of inspiration [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&pg=PA1017&dq=Gajanan+Madhav+Muktibodh&lr=&sig=ACfU3U1in64yzK-CX1EipPco8aJ4LUgVmA Dairies] Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol. 2, 1988, Sahitya Akademi, ISBN 8126011947. Page 1017 .] [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&pg=PA1138&vq=Muktibodh&dq=Gajanan+Madhav+Muktibodh&lr=&source=gbs_search_s&sig=ACfU3U1IqmqTmn3DvJn0-PfJUjjHF2wMYA "Ek Sahityik ki Diary"] Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol. 2, 1988, Sahitya Akademi, ISBN 8126011947. Page 1138.]

Media

A Hindi feature film, "Satah Se Uthata Aadmi" (Arising from the Surface), with script and dialogues by him, was directed by veteran film director, Mani Kaul, and shown at Cannes Film Festival in 1981 [ [http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/archives/artist/id/7634.html Films presented in Cannes 1981] Cannes Film Festival Official website.] . In 2004, “Brahmarakshas ka Shishya”, a dramatizaton of Muktibodh’s story, was presented in New Delhi by Soumyabrata Choudhury [ [http://www.indiahabitat.org/calendar/oct2k4/calen.htm Calendar of Events - October 2004] India Habitat Centre website.] [ [http://www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/gauravgatha/2002/brahma/brks1.htm "Brahmarakshas ka Shishya" Text] www.abhivyakti-hindi.org.] .

His novel, "Vipatra" has also been made into an audio book for the blind [ [http://www.shruti.org.in/audio/BRA_Catalogue.xls #194 Muktibodh - Viptara] Blind Relief Association.] .

Legacy

His brilliance was recognized by the literary world after the posthumous publication of "Chand Ka Munh Tedha Hai," the first collection of his poems, in the early 1960s. Ever since, the book has run into several editions, and is recognized as a modern classic. In his memory, Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Parishad, has instituted the annual "MuktiBodh Puraskar".

In 2004, 'Muktibodh Smarak', a memorial was set up at the 'Triveni Sangrahalaya' in Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh, along with fellow poets of Chhattisgarh, "Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi" and "Baldeo Prasad Mishra". [ [http://rajnandgaon.nic.in/district.htm History] Rajnandgaon Official website.] [The Muktibodh Smarak at Triveni Sangrahalaya is at coordinates coord|21.092136|81.027751|type:landmark|name=Muktibodh Smarak]

Bibliography

* "Chand ka Muh Teda Hai" - (Anthology of Poems), 1964, Bharatiya Jnanpith.
* "Kath Ka Sapna" (Anthology of Short stories), 1967, Bharatiya Jnanpith.
* "Satah Se Uthta Admi" (Anthology of Short stories), 1971, Bharatiya Jnanpith
* "Nayi Kavita ka Atmasangharsh tatha anya Nibandha" (Essays), 1964, Visvabharati Prakashan.
* "Ek Sahityik ki Dairy" (Essays), 1964, Bharatiya Jnanpith.
* "Vipatra" (Novel), 1970, Bharatiya Jnanpith. [http://www.geocities.com/indian_poets/hindi.html Indian Poets - Hindi] ]
* "Naye sahitya ka saundarya-shastra", 1971, Radhakrishna Prakashan.
* "Kamayani: Ek punarvichar", 1973, Sahitya Bharti.
* "Bhuri Bhuri Khak Dhul" - (Anthology of Poems), 1980, New Delhi, Rajkamal Publications.
* "Muktibodh Rachnavali", Edited by Nemichandra Jain, (Complete Works) 6 Vols., 1980, New Delhi, Rajkamal Publications.
* "Samiksha ki samasyain", 1982, New Delhi, Rajkamal Publications.
* "Pratinidhi kavitayein", edited by Ashoka Vajapeyi. 1984, Rajkamal Prakashan.
* In the Dark: "Andhere Mein", translated by Krishna Baldev Vaid. 2001, Rainbow Publishers. ISBN 8186962425. (ISBN 81-86962-42-5.).
* "Dabre Par Sooraj ka Bimb", 2002, National Book Trust. ISBN 8123738803. [ [http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/AuthorSelect.asp?Author=Gajanan+Madhav+Muktibodh Muktibodh Books] ]
* "Muktibodh Ki Kavitayen" (Anthology of Poems), 2004, Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 8126006749.

Further reading

* Soviet Literature, by Soi͡uz pisateleĭ, USSSR. 1947, Foreign Languages Publishing House, p 144-147.
* "Muktibodh ka sahitya: Ek anusilana", by Shashi Sharma, 1977, Indraprastha Prakashan.
* "Muktibodh: Vicharak, kavi aura Kathakar", by Surendra Pratap, 1978, National Publishing House. [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=muktibodha&x=12&y=17]
* "Muktibodh: Sankalpatmaka kavita", by Jagdish Kumar, 1981, Nachiketa Prakashan.
* "Muktibodh ka Sahitya-vivek aur unki Kavita", by Lallan Ray, 1982, Manthan Pub.
* "Muktibodh ki atmakatha", by Vishnuchandra Sharma, 1984, Radhakrishna Prakashan. (Biography)
* "Paya Patra Tumhara: Gajanan Madhava Muktibodh aur Nemichandra Jain ke bich Patra-vyavahar", (1942-1964), Edited by Nemichandra Jain. 1984, Rajkamal Prashan [http://www.lib.virginia.edu/area-studies/SouthAsia/New/hindmy98.html#mukt Books by Muktibodh] www.lib.virginia.edu.]
* "Muktibodh: Yuga chetana aur Abhivyakti", by Alok Gupta, 1985, Giranar Prakashan.
* "Jatil samvedana ke kavi Muktibodh", by Alok Gupta, 1993, Parsva Prakashan.
* "Pratibaddhata aur Muktibodh ka Kavya", by Prabhat Tripathi. 1990, Vagdevi Prakashan. ISBN 8185127271.
* "Muktibodh ka shilpa-saushthava", by Madhu Srvastav, 1992, Janardan Prakashan.
* "Muktibodh kavi aura kavya", by Madan Gulati. 1994, C.D. Publication.
* "Muktibodh: Muktikami chetana ke kavi", by Ajay Shukla, 1994, Sanjay Book Centre.
* "Muktibodha ki kavya Bhasha", by Kshama Shankar Pandey, 1995, Shilpi Prakashan.
* "Muktibodh ki kavita mem yathartha-bodha", by Sashibala Sharma, Sabda aura Sabda Pub.
* "Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh: Srjana aur Shilpa", by Ranjit Sinha, 1995, Jay Bharati Prakashan.
* "Muktibodh ki kavitaon se guzarate hue", by Anup Sharma, 1996, Sahitya Bhavan Pvt. Ltd.
* "Muktibodha vichar aur Kavita", by Devendra Kumar Jain, 1998, Takshasila Prakashan.
* "Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh Ke Kavya Mein Samajik Chintan", by Yuvraj Sontakke, New Delhi, New Bhartiya Book Corporation. 2000.
* "Muktibodha-kavya: Janavadi chetana ke sandarbha main", by Premalata Casavala. (Socialism in the poetic works of Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh), 2001, Adhara Prakashan, ISBN 8176750387.
* "Muktibodh ki Kavya Bhasha", by Sanat Kumar, 2001, Chintan Prakashan, Kanpur. (Study of the poetic works of Muktibodh).
* [http://www.geeta-kavita.com/indian_poetry_list.asp?author=Muktibodh,_Gajanan_Madhav "Naash Devta" and "Kal Aur Aaj", poems by Muktibodh (Hindi)]
* [http://www.geocities.com/kavitayan/muktibodh.html A Single Shooting Star, a poem by Muktibodh (Translated to English)]
* [http://www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/gauravgatha/2002/brahma/brks1.htm "Brahma Rakshas Ka Shishya", a story by Muktibodh]
* "Muktibodh ki Kavyaprakriya", by Ashok Chakradhar.
* "Muktibodh ki Kavitai", by Ashok Chakradhar, 1975.
* "Muktibodh ki Samishai", by Ashok Chakradhar.
* Lives and Works of Great Hindi Poets, by Manohar Bandopadhyay, 1994, B.R. Pub. House, ISBN 8170187869. Page 149.
* "Muktibodh ki Nivadak kavita", by Sharadchandra Madhav Muktibodh, 1993, Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 8172014961. (Younger brother)

Notes and references

External links

* [http://hi.literature.wikia.com/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B5_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7 Works of Muktibodh]
* [http://www.anothersubcontinent.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1521 Discussion on Life and Works of Muktibodh]