Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh
Encyclopedia
Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh (गजानन माधव मुक्तिबोध) (November 13, 1917 in Madhya Pradesh
– September 11, 1964) 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.
He is widely considered one of the pioneers of modern poetry in India, and doyen of Hindi poetry after, Surya Kant Tripathi 'Nirala', and known as being a pioneer, the mainstay of Prayogvaad Experimentalism
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 loses touch with the reality itself, and eventually dies and fades away like dead bird.
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. 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.
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
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. 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
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. In 2004, “Brahmarakshas ka Shishya”, a dramatizaton of Muktibodh’s story, was presented in New Delhi
by Soumyabrata Choudhury.
His novel, Vipatra has also been made into an audio book for the blind.
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.
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
– September 11, 1964) was one of the most prominent Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
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.
He is widely considered one of the pioneers of modern poetry in India, and doyen of Hindi poetry after, Surya Kant Tripathi 'Nirala', and known as being a pioneer, the mainstay of Prayogvaad Experimentalism
Experimentalism
Experimentalism may mean:*The philosophical belief that experiments yield truth; empiricism*The philosophical belief that truth is evaluated based upon its demonstrated usefulness; instrumentalism* Experimental literature*Experimental theatre...
movement of Hindi literature
Hindi literature
Hindi literature , is broadly divided into four prominent forms or styles, being Bhakti ; Shringar ; Veer-Gatha ; and Adhunik...
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
Modernism
Modernism, in its broadest definition, is modern thought, character, or practice. More specifically, the term describes the modernist movement, its set of cultural tendencies and array of associated cultural movements, originally arising from wide-scale and far-reaching changes to Western society...
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
Hindi literature
Hindi literature , is broadly divided into four prominent forms or styles, being Bhakti ; Shringar ; Veer-Gatha ; and Adhunik...
, from the prevalent Chhayavaad
Chhayavaad
Chhayavaad refers to the era of Neo-romanticism in Hindi literature particularly Hindi poetry, 1917–1938, and was marked by an upsurge of romantic and humanist content. Chhayavad was marked by a renewed sense of the self and personal expression, visible in the writings of time...
movement; this led to the initiation of Prayogvaad Experimentalism
Experimentalism
Experimentalism may mean:*The philosophical belief that experiments yield truth; empiricism*The philosophical belief that truth is evaluated based upon its demonstrated usefulness; instrumentalism* Experimental literature*Experimental theatre...
in Hindi poetry, and developing along with Pragativaad Progressivism
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
, eventually led to the creation of the ‘Nayi Kahani’ (New Story) movement, Modernism
Modernism
Modernism, in its broadest definition, is modern thought, character, or practice. More specifically, the term describes the modernist movement, its set of cultural tendencies and array of associated cultural movements, originally arising from wide-scale and far-reaching changes to Western society...
.
Brahmarakshas (ब्रह्मराक्षस) is considered his most influential work in experimental poems, noted for the use of archetypal imagery
Archetypal literary criticism
Archetypal literary criticism is a type of critical theory that interprets a text by focusing on recurring myths and archetypes in the narrative, symbols, images, and character types in a literary work...
, 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 loses touch with the reality itself, and eventually dies and fades away like dead bird.
His work was deeply influenced by his viewpoints of Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
, Socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
and Existentialism
Existentialism
Existentialism is a term applied to a school of 19th- and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual...
, and carried an innate expression of his deep discontent, heightened by his virulent imagery. He continued to show his progressive streak even after the disintegration of the Progressive Writers' Movement
Progressive Writers' Movement
The Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind or Progressive Writers' Movement was a progressive literary movement in the pre-partition British India, consisting of a few different writers groups around the world....
after 1953; and, through the rest of his career, he along with writers like, Yashpal
Yashpal
Not to be confused with Yash Pal Yashpal was a Hindi author renowned for झूटा सच Jhutha Sach , which is regarded as one of the best Hindi novels ever written...
, continued his ideological fight against modernist and formalist trends in Hindi literature.
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
Sahitya Akademi Award
Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honor in India which Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of outstanding works in one of the following twenty-four major Indian languagesAssamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri,...
in Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
, was the younger brother of Muktibodh
Works
His first individual book was published in 1964, when he was on his death-bed: [Chand Ka Muh Teda Hai http://www.kavitakosh.org/kk/index.php?title=%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A6_%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%81%E0%A4%B9_%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A2%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%88._/_%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 (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."Bhoori Bhoori Khak Dhool"is the collection of his remaining poems.His complete work is available as 'Muktibodh Rachnavali"edited by Nemichand Jain.He is today considered a bridge between the Progressive
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
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. In literary criticism, he wrote a critical work on Kamayani
Kamayani
Kamayani is a Hindi epic poem by Jaishankar Prasad . It is considered one of the greatest literary works written in modern times in Hindi literature...
of literary doyen, Jaishankar Prasad
Jaishankar Prasad
Jaishankar Prasad , one of the most famous figures in modern Hindi literature as well as Hindi theatre.- Biography :...
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
Media
(चाँद का मुहँ टेढ़ा है) नगर के बीचों-बीच आधी रात-- अंधेरे की काली स्याह शिलाओं से बनी हुई भीतों और अहातों के, काँच-टुकड़े जमे हुए ऊँचे-ऊँचे कन्धों पर चांदनी की फैली हुई सँवलायी झालरें। कारखाना-- अहाते के उस पार धूम्र मुख चिमनियों के ऊँचे-ऊँचे उद्गार--चिह्नाकार--मीनार मीनारों के बीचों-बीच चांद का है टेढ़ा मुँह!! |
The wind’s sari border quivers bullets pierce empty nests on the fig-tree Bald detective of pale moonlight wander the city streets penetrating its many secret woes in multiangular corners... and further on: Her lips turn dark Suspended on a sculpted torso in a harijan temple greying thatch-roofs gnarled banyan roots misty ghosts of lime-smeared rags arrested in blouses, petticoats tattered bedsheets The lustful eye of the bald crooked moon... |
| – Muktibodh |
A Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
feature film, Satah Se Uthata Aadmi (Arising from the Surface), with script and dialogues by him, was directed by veteran film director, Mani Kaul
Mani Kaul
Mani Kaul was an Indian film director of Hindi films. He graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India where he was a student of Ritwik Ghatak and later became a teacher. Started his career with Uski Roti , which won him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie, he went on to win...
, and shown at Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
in 1981. In 2004, “Brahmarakshas ka Shishya”, a dramatizaton of Muktibodh’s story, was presented in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
by Soumyabrata Choudhury.
His novel, Vipatra has also been made into an audio book for the blind.
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 PradeshMadhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
Sahitya Parishad, has instituted the annual MuktiBodh Puraskar.
In 2004, 'Muktibodh Smarak', a memorial was set up at the 'Triveni Sangrahalaya' in Rajnandgaon
Rajnandgaon
Rajnandgaon is the primary town of Rajnandgaon District, in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. The population of the city is 143,727 . It came into existence on 26th Jan' 1973, by way of division of district Durg. The District headquarters of Rajnandgaon is on the Bombay - Howrah line of...
in Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is a state in Central India, formed when the 16 Chhattisgarhi-speaking South-Eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained separate statehood on 1 November 2000....
, along with fellow poets of Chhattisgarh, Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi and Baldeo Prasad Mishra.
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
- 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).
- Naash Devta and Kal Aur Aaj, poems by Muktibodh (Hindi)
- A Single Shooting Star, a poem by Muktibodh (Translated to English)
- Brahma Rakshas Ka Shishya, a story by Muktibodh
- Muktibodh ki Kavyaprakriya, by Ashok ChakradharAshok ChakradharAshok Chakradhar at Aheerpada Khurja, BulandshaharAshok Chakradhar is widely been regarded as the greatest of the latest of Indian poets, his writings and his recitations are like nonetheless of an devout like an Ameen Sayani on radio ceylon and Vividh Bharti he's a leading Hindi poet...
. - Muktibodh ki Kavitai, by Ashok ChakradharAshok ChakradharAshok Chakradhar at Aheerpada Khurja, BulandshaharAshok Chakradhar is widely been regarded as the greatest of the latest of Indian poets, his writings and his recitations are like nonetheless of an devout like an Ameen Sayani on radio ceylon and Vividh Bharti he's a leading Hindi poet...
, 1975. - Muktibodh ki Samishai, by Ashok ChakradharAshok ChakradharAshok Chakradhar at Aheerpada Khurja, BulandshaharAshok Chakradhar is widely been regarded as the greatest of the latest of Indian poets, his writings and his recitations are like nonetheless of an devout like an Ameen Sayani on radio ceylon and Vividh Bharti he's a leading Hindi poet...
. - 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 AkademiSahitya AkademiThe Sahitya Akademi ', India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India...
. ISBN 8172014961. (Younger brother)