Granth Ane Granthkar Pustak 01

This document is the first volume of a series titled "Granth Ane Granthkar" (Books and Authors) by Hiralal Tribhovandas Parekh, published by the Gujarat Vernacular Society. It serves as an introduction to Gujarati literature and its creators.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and content:

Overall Purpose:

• The book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Gujarati literature, focusing on the books published and the authors who wrote them.
• It intends to foster a greater appreciation for Gujarati literary heritage and encourage further literary development.
• It highlights the importance of documenting and preserving literary achievements for future generations.

Key Sections and Content:

1. Granth Parichay (Book Introduction): This section explains the purpose of the book, which is to introduce significant Gujarati books and their authors. The publisher regrets the inability to include illustrations due to a lack of available images, but hopes to incorporate them in future editions. The utility of such a book is emphasized, noting its value in clarifying authorship (e.g., distinguishing Premchand's works) and preserving the names of authors whose works might otherwise be lost.

2. Prastavna (Foreword/Preface): Written by Hiralal Tribhovandas Parekh, this section details the genesis of the project. Parekh initially proposed compiling a classified list of Gujarati books in 1864. He was inspired by similar efforts in Marathi literature. He discusses the challenges faced in compiling such a bibliography, including the lack of centralized collections and the difficulties in obtaining information from authors. He mentions the significant contribution of Motibhai Amin in creating a classified bibliography of 8,000 Gujarati books up to 1928, and how this volume aims to continue that work by documenting publications from 1929 onwards. Parekh also reflects on the efforts to create annual literary reviews, initially attempted by Ranjitram, and the subsequent difficulties in sustaining this practice. He mentions the societal tradition of inviting scholars to give lectures on literature, history, or philosophy.

3. San 1929 nu Granth Prakashan: Avlokan (Review of 1929 Book Publications): This extensive section provides a detailed analysis of the books published in 1929.

   • Quantitative Analysis: It estimates that around 610 books were published in 1929, with a broader estimate of 750 when including educational materials, songbooks, and popular literature. This averages to about two books published per day. It compares Gujarati publication numbers with those in Marathi, Hindi, and English, noting that Marathi and Hindi have higher publication rates.
   • Categorical Breakdown: It discusses various literary genres:
     • Children's Literature: A significant area of growth, with notable contributions from Dakshinamurti Bhavan and Gandiv.
     • Novels: A popular genre reflecting public taste, with Munshi's "Kautilya Bhagwan" and Ramanlal Desai's "Kokila" being highlighted for their historical and social themes respectively.
     • Short Stories: Praising the works of Ramnarayan Pathak and Dhumketu.
     • Translations: Acknowledging the prevalence of translations and their role in enriching Gujarati literature, while also cautioning against uncredited adaptations.
     • Poetry: Mentioning Nanalal's epic "Kurukshetra" and the works of Khabardar and Keshav Sheth.
     • Drama: Noting a rise in children's plays and one-act plays, and discussing Munshi's popular historical dramas like "Dhruvaswamini Devi" and "Kaka ni Shashi."
     • Dictionaries and Reference Works: Highlighting the importance of efforts like the Gujarati glossary by Gujarat Vidyapith and the classified bibliography of 8,000 books.
     • History and Archaeology: Discussing valuable works on historical research and synthesis, such as books on Ahmedabad and historical sources of Gujarat.
     • Biographies and Autobiographies: Mentioning the trend of writing autobiographies and biographies, including Mahatma Gandhi's "Experiments with Truth."
     • Philosophy and Religion: Expressing concern about the decline in the study of traditional Indian scriptures and philosophy, while acknowledging works like Maruwala's "Jivan Shodhan."
     • Travel Literature: Noting its scarcity and the need for more such works.
     • Science Literature: Lamenting the lack of progress in scientific literature in Gujarati and the challenges related to terminology.
   • Social and Political Context: The review also touches upon the prevailing socio-political climate of 1929, mentioning the Civil Disobedience movement, the Simon Commission boycott, political prisoners, and the economic impact of the times.

4. Granthkar Charitravali (Author Biographies): This is the core of the book, providing biographical sketches of contemporary Gujarati authors and their works. Each entry typically includes:

   • Author's name and title (if applicable).
   • Caste and place of origin.
   • Birth date and place.
   • Parentage and family background.
   • Educational background and achievements.
   • Professional career (teaching, law, government service, journalism, publishing).
   • Literary interests and preferred genres.
   • Key works, with publication years and sometimes brief descriptions.
   • Contributions to Gujarati literature, journalism, or social reform.

   The book lists a remarkable number of authors, indicating the vibrant literary scene of the time. Some prominent authors featured include:

   • Atitsukhashankar Kamalashankar Trivedi
   • Ardeshir F. Khabardar
   • Atmaram Motiram Diwanji
   • Anandshankar B. Dhruv
   • Kanhaiyalal M. Munshi
   • Chhaganlal H. Pandya
   • Narsinhrao B. Divetia
   • Mohanlal P. Dave
   • Gijubhai B. Badheka
   • Jethalal G. Shah
   • Maganbhai C. Patel
   • Jivarambhai R. Trivedi
   • Narsinhprasad K. Bhatt
   • Dholatram R. Mankad
   • Durgashankar K. Shastri
   • Chimanlal D. Tripathi
   • Chunilal V. Shah
   • Rameshbhai R. Desai
   • Ravi Shankar G. Anjaria
   • Vijayray K. Vaidya
   • Shrimati Tara Behan Modak
   • Shrimati Sharada Behan Mehta
   • Shivanand D. Pandya
   • Shambhuprasad C. Joshi pura
   • Shakaralal A. Dave
   • Sitaram J. Sharma
   • Haribhai D. Trivedi
   • Dr. Hariprasad V. Desai
   • Himmatlal G. Anjaria

5. Pariśiṣṭa: Press Copy ane Proofreading (Appendix: Press Copy and Proofreading): This section provides practical advice to authors on preparing their manuscripts for publication, focusing on press copy preparation and proofreading. It emphasizes the importance of clean, legible, and well-organized manuscripts for efficient printing. It discusses the need for accuracy in spelling, punctuation, and formatting, and advises authors to be mindful of the printer's limitations and practices.

Overall Impression:

"Granth Ane Granthkar Pustak 01" is a valuable resource for understanding the landscape of Gujarati literature in the early 20th century. It reflects a period of burgeoning literary activity, with a strong emphasis on both creative writing and scholarly pursuits. The detailed biographical entries showcase the dedication and passion of Gujarati authors and intellectuals in enriching their language and culture. The book also provides insights into the social and cultural context of the time, as reflected in the literary trends and public discourse.