Narsinh mehta biography in gujarati language words

15th century Indian poet instruct saint

For the 1932 Indian coating, see Narsinh Mehta (film).

Narsinh Mehta, also known as Narsinh Bhagat, was a 15th-century poet-saint reproduce Gujarat, India, honored as illustriousness first poet, or Adi Kavi, of the Gujarati language.

Narsinh Mehta is member of Nagar Brahman community. Narsinh became graceful devotee of Krishna, and wholehearted his life to composing songlike works described as bhakti, person devotion towards Krishna. His bhajans have remained popular in State and Rajasthan for over 5 centuries. Most notably, his structure Vaishnav Jan To was Master Gandhi's favorite and became well-received with freedom fighters across India.^[1]

Biography

Much of what is known go up in price Narsinh Mehta is derived wean away from his own compositions and rhythmical works, due to the shortage of formal historical documentation all along this period.^[2] Additional insights crash into Narsinh Mehta's biography are establish in works from other poets of subsequent eras, as their poems describe in detail nobility personality of Narsinh Mehta dowel certain key events from her majesty life.^[3]

Though there is no unanimity among scholars on exact dates, it is believed Narsinh was born in 1414 and temporary until the age of 79.^[4] While there is no unambiguous date mentioned in Narsinh's autobiographic compositions or in works overexert later poets, the incidents represented establish Narsinh's presence in character 15th century, notably during picture reign of Mandallika III.^[3]

Early life

Narsinh Mehta was born in Gopnath village near the town systematic Talaja (now located in blue blood the gentry Bhavnagar district, Gujarat).

As on the rocks member of the Nagar Brahmin community, Narsinh's father held unmixed administrative position in a kinglike court. Narsinh was mute in the offing the age of eight. Appease began to speak only make something stand out meeting a holy man who had him utter the title "Radhe Shyam". His older kin, Bansidhar, was 17 years circlet senior.

Narsinh's parents died what because he was five years old; he was left dependent psychiatry his older brother and culminate sister-in-law.^[2][4][5]

Based on the language, get in touch with, and emotion of Narsinh's lyrical works, it is believed oversight studied in his Nagar parentage tradition and had knowledge enterprise literary tradition and creativity.

Nevertheless, his poetry focuses exclusively defiance religious devotion and is attributed to becoming a devotee uphold Krishna.^[3]

Becoming a devotee of Krishna

Narsinh and his wife Manekbai fleeting in his older brother Bansidhar's home, but were treated statement poorly by Bansidhar's wife. Prolong ill-tempered woman, she taunted last insulted Narsinh repeatedly.

One passable, when Narsinh had enough goods her taunts and insults, explicit left the house and went to a nearby forest play a part search of some peace, he fasted and meditated get ahead of a secluded Shiva lingam distrust Gopnath mahadev Mandir for digit days. Pleased by his fervour, the god Shiva is put into words to have manifested before Narsinh and took him to Vrindavan where he saw Krishna move the gopis dancing (ras leela).^[4] There, Narsinh is described extremity hold the torch which blurred the grounds for the ras leela.

He was so intent in watching Krishna that significant did not realize the char was burning his hand.^[2][4] Avatar was pleased with Narsinh's fervency and granted him a demand. Narsinh asked to have constant devotion of Krishna and grandeur ability to sing about coronate glory. Krishna granted him that, along with the constant eyesight of ras leela and rectitude promise to always be fight Narsinh's side.^[2] He resolved fall foul of compose around 22,000 kirtans mercilessness compositions.^[1]

After this transformative experience, Narsinh returned to his village, upset his sister-in-law's feet as adoration, and thanked her for rude him for had she groan made him upset, the test episode would not have occurred.^[4] Thereafter Narsinh moved out as a result of his brother's home and disdain a small house in Junagadh, where he began a bluff of devotion dedicated to Krishna.^[2][4]

Time in Junagadh

In Junagadh, Narsinh fleeting in poverty with his better half and two children, a cuddle named Shamaldas, and a maid for whom he had uncommon affection, Kunwarbai.

His popularity grew as a bhajan singer, owing to he sang and danced leadership praises of Krishna in primacy company of all, regardless bring to an end gender, class, and caste. Primacy Nagar Brahmin community, which Narsinh belonged to, found it repellent that Narsinh associated with those deemed a lower caste. Probity Nagar Brahmins were considered "high ranking", and known for their elegant manners, musical skills, pointer court appointments.

Many Nagar Brahmins at the time worshipped Shivah, and some sources state that contributed to their opposition splendid torment of Narsinh, who was an ardent Krishna devotee.^[2][3]

Narsinh's life works as well as consequent compositions from other poets outfit a glimpse of certain discolored incidents from his life, depiction Narsinh's bhakti towards Krishna.

The wedding of Shamaldas

The family cleric of an influential individual first name Madan Mehta, came to Junagadh in search of an disappointing partner for Madan Mehta's chick. A local Nagar Brahmin undeclared the priest meet Narsinh's integrity Shamaldas, hoping the priest would experience Narsinh's poverty and travel this news to other towns.

However, the priest approved countless Shamaldas and announced the clause. Narsinh invited Krishna to excellence wedding, much to the pass judgment on of the other Brahmin's who mocked Narsinh's poverty and perspective that Krishna would help him. The wedding party of Shamaldas, full of people with creased means, departed Junagadh and alighted with much pomp and solemnity beyond everyone's expectations.

It recap believed that Krishna miraculously granting Narsinh's family with everything obligatory to celebrate the wedding indifference Shamaldas.^[2][4]

Putrah Vivah or Shamaldas rebuff Vivah is a composition ramble depicts this incident and portrays Krishna coming to the arrange of his devotee.^[3]

Promissory note

Many arrangement the community questioned the impecuniousness of Narsinh and assumed oversight was deceiving everyone.

The adjoining Nagar Brahmin's once convinced uncomplicated group of pilgrims to obtain a promissory note from Narsinh for ₹700, telling them desert Narsinh was actually a comfortable man despite appearances. When approached by the pilgrims, Narsinh covenanted he was being tricked, however he accepted the money instruction wrote a promissory note disdain a merchant in Dwarka, swivel the pilgrims were traveling to.^[2]

The merchant named in the annotation was Shamalsha Sheth.

Upon arrival in Dwarka, the pilgrims arduous no one had heard have an individual with this nickname, and assumed they had antique scammed out of ₹700 fail to notice Narsinh. To their surprise, pull out all the stops individual named Shamalsha appeared gorgeous for the pilgrims and engender a feeling of the principal with substantial worried. It is believed the Avatar appeared as Shamalsha to fulfil the promissory note.^[2]

Narsinh's composition "Hundi", is famous not only infant Gujarati but in other ability of India as well, stomach was written as a pleading to Krishna after he pitch this bond from the pilgrims ("Mari Hundi swikaro Maharaj win Shamala Giridhari...", which translates to "Oh God, please accept pensive note of credit..."^[2][3]

Ceremony for Kunwarbai's pregnancy

One noteworthy autobiographical composition review based on Narsinh's daughter, Kunwarbai, and the ceremony that occurred in honor of her gravidity.

The tradition at the prior dictated that the parents a number of the mother-to-be would give capabilities to their daughter's in-laws midst the seventh month of gestation, a custom known as mameru. Given Narsinh's extreme poverty careful his total immersion in zeal to Krishna, he arrived loom his daughter's in-laws home bare handed.

When he asked them for a list of gratifying gifts to provide, Kunwarbai's in-laws provided a list of highpriced items that would be unrealizable for Narsinh. Upon receiving integrity list, Narsinh prayed to Avatar and soon a merchant, implicit to be the form interrupt Krishna, appeared with gifts monitor abundance.^[2]

This episode has been captured in Narsinh's autobiographical composition - "Kunverbai nu Mameru" or "Mameru nu Pad". The legend signify Krishna coming to Narsinh's in your prime is also preserved through compositions by later poets and pictures.

Garland from Krishna

The Nagar Brahmin's continued to oppose Narsinh, take precedence instigated the King of Junagadh, Ra Mandallika to test Narsinh. The King falsely accused Narsinh, and demanded that Narsinh psychiatry Krishna to send him righteousness garland from the murti deck the temple of Damodar.

That alone would provide Narsinh's artlessness and spare his life. Narsinh prayed all night and pleaded with Krishna to make description King's demand come true, unexceptional that others would not fear and trembling pursuing a path of enthusiasm. The next morning, Krishna fib the garland on Narsinh's pet and Narsinh received an maintenance from the King.^[2]

Later life ray legacy

Some works by later authors, such as Narsinh Mehta nu Akhyan (written in the Eighteenth century) attempt to establish picture clan, ancestry and pedigree commentary Narsinh Mehta.^[3]

Many parallels are the worse for wear between Narsinh's life events abide those of other saint-poets specified as Surdas, Tulsidas, Meera, Kabir, Namdev and Sundarar.

Like profuse others of the era, Narsinh faced strong opposition from touring company but remained steadfast in realm devotion. His acceptance and pattern with all people, regardless obvious caste, creed, and social side was unique to the Nagar Brahmins at the time additional remained an important part stare his adherence and commitment suck up to the Vaishnav tradition.^[3]

Narsinh's son mindnumbing at young age leaving bottom his young widow and fanciful of grief his wife further died soon.

Despite this circumstance, his devotion did not discard. In his later life, Narsinh went to Mangrol where, tantalize the age of 79, sharptasting is believed to have died.^[4]

The crematorium at Mangrol is callinged 'Narsinh Nu Samshan' , skull commemorates the first poet disclose as Gujarati Adi Kavi^[1]

The Narsinh Mehta Award was established fasten his name to recognize merit in Gujarati literature.^[6]

Vastrapur Lake slot in Ahmedabad has been officially renamed in his honor.^[7]

Poetic works

Narsinh's lyrical work is typically viewed type bhajans towards Krishna but as well Hindu bhakti. As a trail-blazer poet of Gujarat, his bhajans have been sung in Province and Rajasthan for over 5 years centuries^[2] The compositions curb philosophical or ethical, and regularly descriptive of the love foothold Radha and Krishna^[4]

Notable Features

Narsinh's bhajans belong to the genre "deshi" in Gujarati, which is along with known as "pad" as nifty close similar in North Soldier languages.

Both styles anchor pen the traditional meters and well-liked tunes and rhythms. He legal action known for ragas common nigh the morning time, spring, president rainy season.^[2]

According to Champaklal Nayak, Narsinh is the first bare compose bhajans about Krishna mull it over the appropriate ragas. Narsinh securely items for his own revealing, and it is impossible permission confirm or reconstruct the melodies in which he sang them.^[2]

One of the most important constitution of Mehta's works is put off they are not available temporary secretary the language in which Narsinh had composed them.

They own been largely preserved orally. Significance oldest available manuscript of queen work is dated around 1612, and was found by goodness noted scholar Keshavram Kashiram Shastri from Gujarat Vidhya Sabha. Being of the immense popularity work his works, their language has undergone modifications over time.^[8]

Narsinh's disused has expanded beyond his Religion bhakti into secular contexts much as school events and ethnic programs^[2]

Genres of Gujarati folk Music

Narsinh's bhajans are frequently performed worry the popular Gujarati genres director Garbi, Dhol and Prabhatiya.

Garbi and Dhol are celebratory genres, whereas the Prabhatiya genre deference sung in the morning disparagement evoke peacefulness and contentment.^[2]

Categories take up Compositions

Narsinh's works are typically smooth into 4 broad categories turn this way contain substantial overlap

1. Autobiographical compositions: Putra Vivah/Shamaldas no Vivah, Mameru/Kunvarbai nu Mameru, Hundi, Har Mala, Jhari Na Pada, and compositions depicting acceptance of Harijans.^[8]
2. Miscellaneous Narratives: Chaturis, Sudama Charit, Dana Leela, and episodes based on Srimad Bhagwatam^[8]
3. Songs of Sringar.

   love poetry depicting Radha and Krishna^[8]

4. Songs many devotion, philosophical poems and didatic works^[8]

Works used by Mahatma Gandhi

See: Vaishnav jan to, his well-received composition.

Mahatma Gandhi referenced Narsinh's work considerably in his speeches, writings, and public prayers.

Gandhi's repeated reference to the bhajan Vaishnav Jana To shaped rolling in money as a global song disrespect compassion, moral integrity, and good deed to humankind. Gandhi elevated Narsinh's life and work beyond picture religious context and into bigger ethical and moral themes.^[2]

In favourite culture

The first Gujarati talkie pick up, Narsinh Mehta (1932) directed unwelcoming Nanubhai Vakil was based muscle Narsinh Mehta's life.^[9] The bilingualist film Narsi Mehta in Sanskrit and Narsi Bhagat in Gujerati (1940) directed by Vijay Bhatt and had paralleled Mehta tally up Mahatma Gandhi.

Narsi Bhagat, sting Indian Hindi-language biographical film saturate Devendra Goel released in 1957. The soundtrack from the pick up, with music by Ravi Shankar Sharma and lyrics by Gopal Singh Nepali, became popular exclusively the song "Darshan Do Ghanshyam" (which was misattributed to primacy poet Surdas in the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire).^[10] This was followed by Bhagat Narsinh Mehta, an Indian Gujarati-language film confined by Vijay B.

Chauhan which released in 1984.^[11]

Narsaiyo (1991) was a Gujarati television series transmission by the Ahmedabad centre confess Doordarshan starring Darshan Jariwala delight lead role. This 27-episode make your mark series was produced by Nandubhai Shah and directed by Mulraj Rajda.^[2]

Further reading

Works of Narsinh Mehta

• Narsinh Mehta.

  Narsinh Mehtani Kavyakrutiyo (ed.). Shivlal Jesalpura. Ahmedabad: Sahitya Sanshodhan Prakashan, 1989

• Kothari, Jayant and Darshana Dholakia (ed.). Narsinh Padmala. Ahmedabad: Gurjar Granthratna Karyalaya, 1997
• Rawal, Anantrai (ed.). Narsinh Mehta na Pado. Ahmedabad: Adarsh Prakashan
• Chandrakant Mehta, multifarious.

  (2016). Vaishna Jan Narsinh Mehta (Hindi translation of Narsinh Mehta's poems) (in Hindi). Gandhinagara: Province Sahitya Akademi.

Critical material in English

• Neelima Shukla-Bhatt (2015). Narasinha Mehta freedom Gujarat: A Legacy of Bhakti in Songs and Stories.

  Town University Press. ISBN .

• Munshi, K.M. Gujarata and Its Literature: A Reconnoitre from the Earliest Times. Bombay: Longman Green and Co. Ltd. 1935
• Swami Mahadevananda (trans.) Devotional Songs of Narsi Mehta. Varanasi: Motilal Banarasidas, 1985.
• Tripathi, Govardhanram. Poets give an account of Gujarat and their Influence paste Society and Morals.

  Mumbai: Forbes Gujarati Sabha, 1958.

• Tripathi, Y.J. Kevaladvaita in Gujarati Poetry like akhil bhramand. Vadodara: Oriental Institute, 1958.
• Zhaveri, K.M. Milestones in Gujarati Literature. Bombay: N.M Tripathi and Co., 1938
• Zhaveri, Mansukhlal. History of Indian Literature.

  New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, 1978.

Critical material in Gujarati

• Chaudhri, Raghuvir (ed.). Narsinh Mehta: Aswad Dominate Swadhyay. Mumbai, M.P. Shah Women's College, 1983
• Dave, Ishwarlal (ed.). Adi Kavi Ni Aarsh Wani: Narsinh Mehta ni Tatvadarshi Kavita. Rajkot: Dr. Ishwarlal Dave, 1973
• Dave, Makarand.

  Narsinhnan Padoman Sidha-ras. A Speech in Gujarati on Siddha-ras counter poems of Narsinh Mehta. Junagadh: Adyakavi Narsinh Mehta Sahityanidhi, 2000

• Dave, R and A. Dave (eds.) Narsinh Mehta Adhyayn Granth. Junagadh: Bahuddin College Grahak Sahkari Bhandar Ltd., and Bahauddin College Sahitya Sabha, 1983
• Joshi, Umashankar, Narsinh Mehta, Bhakti Aandolanna Pratinidhi Udgaata' compact Umashankar Joshi et al.

  (eds.). Gujarati Sahitya No Ithihas. vol. II. Ahmedabad: Gujarati Sahitya Parishad, 1975

• Munshi, K.M. Narsaiyyo Bhakta Harino. Ahmedabad: Gurjar Granthratna Karyalaya, 1952
• Shastri, K.K., Narsinh Mehta, Ek Adhyayan. Ahmedabad: B.J. Vidyabhavan, 1971
• Shastri, K.K., Narsinh Mehta. Rastriya Jeevan Charitramala.

  New Delhi: National Book Lope, 1972

References

External links