Granth Ane Granthkar Pustak 10 - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Granth Ane Granthkar Pustak 10," covering the period from 1942 to 1950. The book, edited by Dhirubhai Premshankar Thakar and Indravadan Kashinath Dave, was published by Gujarat Vernacular Society in Ahmedabad.

Overview of the 'Granth Ane Granthkar' Series:

The series, initiated by the late Shri Hiralal Parekh, aimed to provide biographical and literary information about Gujarati authors.
The initial eight volumes were published by 1930. Volume 9 came out in 1942, followed by Volume 10 in 1952 after a significant gap.
The aim was to continue the series, covering remaining authors and providing literary reviews of subsequent decades.

Volume 10: 1942-1950 Literary Review:

The book is structured into three main sections, reflecting the editors' plan to cover various aspects of Gujarati literature during the decade:

Division One: An Overview of the Decade's Literature (1941-1950)

This section provides a retrospective analysis of the Gujarati literary landscape during this period, influenced by significant historical events:

Impact of World War II and Indian Independence: The decade began with the peak of World War II, casting a shadow of fear, despair, and material hardship (rationing, inflation) on India, including Gujarat. The "Quit India" movement of 1942 further impacted society and literature, though it evoked less widespread enthusiasm among writers compared to earlier movements. India's independence in 1947 brought initial joy, but it was soon overshadowed by post-war economic struggles, partition violence, and a growing sense of cynicism and disillusionment.
Literary Trends:
- Poetry: While older poets continued their work, the output of new poetry was seen as less impactful than in the previous decade. Themes shifted from social issues to nature, love, and a renewed interest in devotion and philosophy. However, a lack of profound, life-altering poetry was noted.
- Drama: The publishing of plays lagged due to limited readership and stage productions. The gap between commercial theater and literary drama persisted. While about fifty plays were published, many were social dramas focusing on the complex relationships between men and women.
- Novels: Novels were highly popular, with historical and social themes dominating. Writers like Munshi, Ramanlal, Chunilal Shah, Dhumketu, and Meghani continued their prolific output. The decade saw a rise in realistic depictions of rural life.
- Short Stories: The short story genre saw a significant increase in publications. While many authors continued their previous styles, newcomers were influenced by Western authors like Chekhov and Salinger. The focus was often on life's complexities, with a tendency towards realism, psychological analysis, and a portrayal of prevailing disillusionment.
Non-Fiction Literature: This area saw considerable growth. Biographies, collections of essays, critical studies, diaries, and autobiographies were notably produced. The research and editing of ancient and medieval Gujarati literature also saw a significant contribution.

Division Two: Literary Personalities - Deceased and Living Authors

This section is dedicated to biographical profiles of prominent literary figures:

Deceased Authors: This includes individuals like Ichharam Suryaram Desai (journalist, writer), Uttamlal Keshavlal Trivedi (editor, writer), Alexander Kinloch Forbes (administrator, scholar, promoter of Gujarati literature), Keshavlal Motilal Parikh (lawyer, social reformer), and Keshavlal Hariram Bhatt.
Living Authors: This covers a broad spectrum of Gujarati writers, with a focus on their literary contributions and influence. The selection aimed to include elder, established authors first, while recognizing that many younger writers' careers were still evolving.
Notable figures discussed: The text mentions and provides biographical sketches of numerous authors, including Khushalray Sarabhai, Gopalrao Hari Deshmukh, Zaverilal Umiyashankar Yajnik, Dalpatram Dahyabhai Kavi, Durgaram Mchharam Dave, Nrusinhdas Bhagwandas Vibhakar, Pranskar Premshankar Bhatt, Maganlal Narottamdas Patel, Manilal Nabhubhai Dwivedi, Manishankar Jatashankar Kikani, Venilal Chhaganlal Such, Vaikunthlal Shreepatray Thakar, Shyamji Krishna Varma, Sou. Sumatilal, Sur Sinhji Takht Sinhji Gohil (Kalapi), Harjivan Samiya, and Ambhelal Karshanjhi Vashi, among others.

Division Three: Detailed Analysis of Literary Genres

This section delves into specific genres and their development during the decade:

Poetry: While acknowledging the continued activity of established poets, the analysis noted a decline in the impactful and revolutionary output compared to the previous decade. Themes of nature, love, and devotion became more prominent.
Drama: The output of plays was modest, facing challenges of stage adaptation and publication. However, the decade saw a focus on social themes and attempts at realistic portrayal.
Novels: Novels were highly popular, covering both historical and social themes. The trend of social novels, which gained prominence earlier, continued.
Short Stories: The popularity of short stories surged, with many new authors emerging and exploring diverse themes, often with a focus on psychological depth and realism.
Biographies: There was a significant increase in biographical works, covering a wide range of personalities from spiritual leaders and scientists to poets and social reformers. However, the quality of some biographies was criticized for being more collection-based than deeply analytical.
Autobiographies and Diaries: The decade saw a rise in autobiographical writings and diaries, offering personal insights into the lives of prominent individuals.
Letters: Collections of letters were recognized for providing authentic glimpses into authors' lives and thoughts.
Essays and Lectures: Essays and lectures covered diverse topics including literature, education, society, and national thought, with a notable emphasis on intellectual discourse.
Humor Literature: The humor genre saw a development towards more refined, less satirical and more life-observational humor.
Travelogues: While many traveled, the literary output in the form of travelogues was considered limited, with notable exceptions like Sundaram's 'Dakshinayan' and Munshi's 'Mari Bin-jabardar Kahani'.
Literary Criticism: Criticism evolved from traditional, rule-bound analysis to more appreciative and interpretive approaches. However, a call was made for deeper, more comprehensive studies of seminal authors and literary forms.
History: The decade saw the publication of several historical works, including comprehensive histories of Gujarati literature and specific periods. Research into ancient texts and the influence of Islam on Gujarati culture were also noted.
Research and Editing: Significant efforts were made in the research and editing of ancient manuscripts, improving textual accuracy and making them accessible.
Religion and Philosophy: This area saw a continuation of traditional religious discourse, but also a growing interest in critical analysis and the exploration of scientific interpretations of philosophical concepts.
Social Sciences (Economics, Politics): While acknowledging a gap in original scholarly work, the decade saw translations and analyses of economic and political theories, often viewed through a Gandhian lens.
Education: Education remained a significant theme, with a focus on practical, holistic, and value-based learning, reflecting the influence of figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.
Dictionaries: The production of dictionaries, including specialized terminological ones, was recognized for its importance in standardizing language.
Science: While popular science books saw some publication, there was a perceived need for more advanced and research-oriented scientific literature and translations from other languages.
Children's Literature: The output of children's literature was significant in quantity but often criticized for lacking depth and quality, with a focus on superficial entertainment rather than meaningful education.
Miscellaneous: This category included works that did not fit neatly into other genres.
Translations and Adaptations: The decade saw a substantial number of translations from Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, and other foreign languages, reflecting a growing interest in diverse literary traditions.

Conclusion:

The book provides a valuable snapshot of the Gujarati literary scene between 1942 and 1950, highlighting the challenges and developments across various genres, influenced by the socio-political context of the time. The editors acknowledged the contributions of many authors and provided a detailed, albeit sometimes critical, review of the literary output. The work underscores the continuous evolution of Gujarati literature and the efforts of scholars and writers to enrich it.