Chhayavad
Chhayavad(Hindi:छायावाद) (approximated in English as "Romanticism", literally "Shaded" ) refers to the era ofNeo-romanticisminHindi literature,particularly Hindi poetry, 1922–1938,[1]and was marked by an increase of romantic and humanist content.Chhayavadwas marked by a renewed sense of the self and personal expression, visible in the writings of the time. It is known for its leaning towards themes of love and nature, as well as an individualistic reappropriation of the Indian tradition in a new form of mysticism, expressed through a subjective voice.
Period
[edit]Chhayavad Yug dates from 1918 to 1937. It was preceded byBharatenduYug(1868–1900) andDwivediYug(1900–1918) and was followed by the Contemporary Period from 1937 onward.[1][2]
Chhayavad continued until the latter half of the 1930s, when the golden era of modern Hindi poetry was gradually replaced by social didacticism inspired by rising nationalist fervour. Some of the later poets of this era, like Dinkar, Mahadevi and Bachchan took nationalist and social critiquing within their poetry.
Notable authors
[edit]Jaishankar Prasad,Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala',Sumitranandan PantandMahadevi Varma[3]are considered as the four pillars of theChhayavadischool of Hindi literature. Other important figures of this literary movement wereRamdhari Singh 'Dinkar',Harivansh Rai Bachchan,Makhanlal ChaturvediandPandit Narendra Sharma.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan became excessively critical of Chhayavad later in his career and was associated with other genres likeRahasyavaad,PragativaadandHaalaavaad.
Notable works
[edit]Jaishankar Prasad'sKamayani(1936) is considered an important work of this school, followed byMahadevi Varma'sNihar(Mist, 1930) andHarivansh Rai Bachchan'sMadhushala(1935).
Criticism of Chhayavad
[edit]Initially, Chhayavad was very well received by readers and critics alike. However, subsequent scholars have criticized Chhayavad for excessive use of decorative language, romanticism aloof from contemporary social and economic malaise, and setting stricter rules on meter and rhyme.[citation needed]
Notes
[edit]- ^abHindi Language
- ^Historical Development of HindiArchived14 October 2007 at theWayback MachineUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- ^"Chhayavaadi Movement".Archived fromthe originalon 2 July 2018.Retrieved29 April2008.
References
[edit]- Romantic Poetry in the Era of Convention
- Chhayavad study in The Journal of the American Oriental Society, Jul 1, 2001
- 1 Now available in Vani Prakashan, New Delhi