Development of Hindi Prose
• Hindi Prose developed in the 19th century during the Renaissance
period, when the country was being emancipated from the
medieval traditional norms and was in the process of
assimilating novel
western
influence.
The
changed
circumstances were conducive to the development of prose.
• The earliest use of Hindi prose can be traced in Rajasthani and
Braj languages. Rajasthani prose can be traced in the 10th C
written orders, leases and translated texts. The notable texts
written upto the 17th C are Goswami Vitthalnath’s Shringar
–
Ras-Mandan, Gokulanathji’s Chaurasi Vaishanavan Ki
Varta, Nabhadas’ Ashtayam and Lallulal’s Madhav-Vilas.
Development of Prose in Khariboli
• Khariboli developed during the 10th C. Narpati Nalha’s Beesaldev Raso,
Hemchand Suri’s Shabdanushasan, Amir Khusro’s Paheliyan and
Kabir’s Sakhis are written in Khariboli.
• The earliest use of Khariboli prose can be traced in Chand Chhand
Barnan Ki Mahima written by Akbar’s court poet, Gang.
• The credit for developing prose during the middle and later periods of
the 18th C goes chiefly to four writers, namely, Sadasukhlal, Insha
Alla Khan, Lallulal and Sadal Mishra, who wrote Sukhsagar,
Rani
Ketaki Ki Kahani, Premsagar and Nasikatopa khyan respectively.
Amir Khusro
Development of Prose in Khariboli
• Sadasukhlal’s creation Sukhsagar is the translation of Srimad
Bhagvat in Khari boli prose
• Insha Alla Khan’s Rani Ketaki Ki Kahani is the first original
creation in Hindi prose. The influence of Persian style can be
traced at some places.
• Lallulalji wrote Prem Sagar which deals with the story of X part
of Srimad Bhagvat. A number of Urdu words have been used,
and there is fusion of ‘Tatsam’ words. He wrote Betal Pachisi,
Sinhasan Battisi, Madhav Vilas, Ram Vilas and Shakuntala Natak.
He also translated Hitopadesha in Hindi language as Rajneeti.
• Sadal Mishra’s language is more clear, refined and functional. He
wrote Nasikatopakhyan in Khari boli.
• The Bible was translated in Khari Boli prose, but the language
lacked purity and consistency.
The Indian Renaissance
• During this period the Indian social and cultural life witnessed
tremendous changes. Education was westernized, feudalism was
replaced by the British form of administration.
• A number of socio religious movements created a definite
impact on people and helped in changing their mind set. The
contribution of such institutions as Brahma Samaj (1828),
Ramkrishna Mission, Prarthana Samaj (1867), Arya Samaj
(1867)and Theosophical Society (1882) is Noteworthy is
bringing about a new consciousness Swami Dayanand wrote
Satyarth Prakash in Hindi.
Prose in the Age of Bhartendu
A new literary revolution came into being with the coming up
of Bhartendu Harishchandra (1850-1885) on the Hindi literary
horizon. Bhartendu’s language was functional and he used
‘Tadbhav’ words and the foreign words which were used
frequently. He developed different forms of prose like story,
drama, essay etc. Bhartendu made use of idioms and proverbs
still his language is not very refined. There is influence of Braj
language and there are grammatical errors at certain places.
Contemporaries of Bhartendu
• Pandit Balkrishna Bhatt, Pratapnarain Mishra, Radhacharan
Goswami (1859-1925) Thakur Jagmohan Singh (1857-1899),
Radhakrishna Das (1865-1907) etc were the contemporaries of
Bhartendu.
• Bhartendu and his contemporaries gave a definite shape and
form to language and made use of words of common parlance
instead of complex Arabic-Persian and Sanskrit words. They
gave a new shape to Hindi prose by suffusing it with a definite
aim, refined style, rich expression and a stable language.
• Pandit Bhatt published magazine ‘Hindi Pradeep’ and Pratap
Narain Mishra published ‘Brahman’.
Prose in the Age of Dwivedi
• The second phase of Hindi prose (1900-1922) is named after
Acharya Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi. He became the editor of Hindi
magazine ‘Saraswati’ in 1903.
• This age is noteworthy from the point of view of enrichment of
vocabulary as well as literary styles.
• The contribution of Balmukund Gupt, Madhav Prasad Mishra,
Padamsingh Sharma, Premchand, Jaishankar Prasad, Ramchandra
Shukla, Padumlal, Shyamsundar Das, Ganeshshankar Vidyarthi
etc is remarkable in the development of Hindi language.
• Variety of subject matter, original thought, serious criticism and
analysis reflected in the works of this period.
Prose in the Age of Dwivedi
• Different prose styles developed during this period.
Dwivedi’s clear and refined style, Shyam Sundar Das’s
Vyas style, Balmukumd Gupt’s forceful and consistent
style, Sardar Puran Singh’s symbolic and vigorous style,
Guleri’s pedantic and critical style, and Babu Gulab Rai’s
humorous style, enriched prose literature of this period.
Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi
Prose in the Age of Chhayavad
• The period between1919-1939 is generally termed as the Age of
Chhayavaad. The period witnessed turbulence and turmoil by
way of such incidents, as Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in 1919,
revival of Non-Co-operation Movement and death sentence to
Bhagat Singh in 1931. The national consciousness had been
awakened in a powerful manner.
• Chhayavad prose is more picturesque, symbolic, ornamental and
poetic. Characterized by intense feelings and emotions Pandit
Makhanlal, Mahadevi Varma, Jaishankar Prasad Sumitranandan
Pant, Suryakant Tripathi ‘Nirala’, Nanddulare Vajpai, Shivpujan
Sahai etc are notable prose writers of this period.
Prose in the Age of Chhayavad
• Pandit Makhanlal has given expression to feelings of strong
national awakening using ornamental style in his works. Jai
Shankar Prasad’s writings are marked by expressions of beauty,
sentiments and imaginative style. Nirala is known for his gentle
satire and Mahdevi Varma’s prose has predominance of pathos
Shivpujan Sahai expresses rural sensibility in simple and lucid
manner.
Jai Shankar Prasad
Mahadevi Varma
Prose in Post Chhayavad Period
• The period from 1938 till the present time is regarded as this post
Chhayavaad period. The period is marked by intense political
movements like Quit India Movement, Kripp’s Mission, to gain
political independence, so the element of national awakening
becomes much more pronounced in this period.
• The famous prose writers of this period are Hazariprasad Dvivedi,
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Yashpal, Upendranath ‘Ashq’, Amritlal
Nagar, Bhagwati Cha ran Sharma, Banarasidas Chaturvedi,
Fadeeshwar Nath ‘Renu’, All these writers gave different
dimensions to prose.
• If Dinkar works at perfect assimilation of suggestivity, thought
fullness and variety of subject matter, then social reality has been
perfectly explored by Yashpal and Upendranath ‘Ashq’. Jainendra’s
prose is marked by philosophical and psychological intensity.
Prose in Post Chhayavad Period
• Agyeya’s prose is not only thought provoking but also satirical
in nature. Dr. Nagendra generally writes prose marked by logic,
reason and analysis. Vidyanivas’s prose is characterized by the
blending of cultural awakening and constructive social vision.
Dharamveer Bharati excels in reporting and travelogues. The
prose of this period is marked by social realism, cultural
awakening, anguish and the pain of human life.
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
Major Forms of Hindi Prose
Hindi prose forms can be divided into two parts – major
forms and minor forms. Drama, one-act plays, novel, essay
and criticism are the major forms, where as, biography,
travelogue, diary writing, autobiography, interviews,
memoirs, journalism, prose-poems are minor forms.
Premchand
Natak (Drama)
• Natak developed first in the Age of Bhartendu. A literary form in which different
players enact a story on the stage, with the help of diologues and
spectacle is
known as ‘Natak’. Jaishankar Prasad contributed immensely to
the development of drama in Chhayavad period by composing many historical
plays. In the Post Chhayavaad period, Dr. Ram Kumar Varma, Upendranath
‘Ashq’, Seth
Govinddas, Mohan Rakesh etc nurtured and further developed
the drama form. One act play is an important form of drama and it comprises
only one act,
which is mainly based on an important situation, incident or
problem One-act plays came into existence during Chhayavad period.
Mohan Rakesh
Upanyas (Novel)
A novel is an artistic representation of human life in an elaborate manner. The
literal meaning of Upanyas’ is to present in front or ‘to put in front’. According to
Premchand, the chief objective of an ‘Upanyas’ is to reflect the human nature and
its complexities. Initially. ‘Upanyas’ came into being during, the Age of Bhartendu.
The first original Upanyas is Pariksha Guru, written by Sri Nivasdas. Prasad,
Jainendra, Upendranath, ‘Ashq’, Yashpal, Amritlal Nagar, Naresh Mehta, Bhagwati
Charan Varma. gave it a new impetus.
Premchand
Kahani (Short Story)
‘Kahani’ is that form of prose is which a particular emotion or facet of life is
depicted. The aim of Kahani is not only to entertain but also to create an
awareness among the readers by portraying the anguish and turmoil hidden in the
inner recesses of human mind. Kahani can be written in different styles like
symbolic, autobiographical, epistolatory or based on memoirs. Similarly, the
subject matter can also be varied like social, historical, psychological, scientific
etc. Premchand is unparalleled in the writing of ‘Kahani’. In post Chhayavad
period, Jainendra, Ilachand Joshi, Yashpal, Upendranath ‘Ashq’, Mohan Rakesh,
Shivani and Nirmal Varma, etc are the important writers of ‘Kahani’.
Nirmal Varma
Aalochana (Criticism)
‘Aalochana’ is an analysis of the positive and negative aspects of a literary work.
Aalochana form was developed in the Age of Bhartendu, where Badrinarayan
Chaudhari and Balmukund Gupt developed the form of Aalochana by critically
analyzing ‘Sanyogita Swayamvar’, written by Lala Sri Nivasdas. In Dwivedi Age,
Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, Padamsingh Sharma and Lala Bhagwan deen etc were
notable critics. In Chhayavad Age. Pandit Ramchandra Sukla emerged as a famous
critic. Dr. Rambilas Sharma, Hazariprasad Dwivedi etc made significant
contributions in the sphere of criticism.
Dr. Ram Bilas Sharma
Hazari Prasad Dwivedi
Nibandh (Essay)
An essay not only deals with the description of a topic but it also reflects the
personality and creativity of a writer. Essay has been classified into four types on
the basis of style 1. Descriptive 2. Narrative 3. Reflective 4. Imaginative.
Hindi essay came into existence in the Age of Bhartendu. Bhartendu
Harishchandra, Mahavirprasad Dwivedi, Ramchandra Shukla, Mahadevi Varma,
Ramdhar Singh Dinkar, Hazari Prasad are notable essayists.
Minor Forms of Hindi Prose
It is a well established fact that minor forms owe their origin to the
personality, life and the milieu of the writer. In the present time it is the minor
forms which are being developed so it is essential to know the basic facts related
to them.
Jeevani (Biography)
When a person’s life history from birth to death is presented in a
chronological order, then this form of writing is known as Biography. It is
permeated with an element of personal touch, sentiment and delight. Notable
biographers are Dr. Rambilas Sharma, Banarasi Das Chaturvedi, Vishnu
Prabhakar, Vishnu Prabhakar’s ‘Awara Maseeha’ is a remarkable biography in
Hindi literature.
Dr. Ram Bilas Sharma
Atamkatha (Autobiography)
In this form the writer portrays his own life in an interesting and subjective
manner. Notable among them are Dr. Shyamsundar Das’ Meri Kahani, Rahul
Sankrityayan’s Meri Jeevan Yatra, Viyogi Hari’s Mera Jeevan Pravah, Harivansh
Rai Bacchan’s Kya Bhulu Kya Yad Karu and Neer Ka Nirman Phir, Dr. Rajencra
Prasad’s Atmakatha ,Babu Gulabrais Meri Asaphaltayen etc.
Harivansh Rai Bacchan
Yatra—(Travelogue)
When any tourist describes the unforgettable experiences of his
journey in a vivid manner, it is termed as travelogue. The notable
ones areRahul Sankrityayan – Kinnar Desh Mein, Himalaya Parichay
Seth Govind Das – Sudur Dakshin Mein
Devendra Satyarthi – Dharati Gaati Hain
Rangey Raghav – Tuphano ke Beech
Amrit Rai – Subah ke Rang
Hanskumar Tiwari – Bhu-Swarg Kashmir
Rahul Sankrityayan
Yashpal – Lohe Ki Deewar Ke Dono Or
Ramvriksh Benipuri – Pairon Mein Pankh Bandhkar
Gadya-Kavya (Prose-Poetry)- In this form emotions and feelings related
to love, pity, devotion etc are presented through the medium of vignettes. The
characteristic features of a prose-poem are intensity of feelings,
comprehensiveness, mysteriousness, and symbolism, The trend of writing a
prose-poem started with the publication of Rai Krishnadas’ Sadhana Sangrah
Later on Viyogi Haris ‘Tarangini’ collection was published in Dwivedi age. Dr.
Ram Kumar Varma and Acharya Chatursen Shastri made remarkable contribution.
Sansmaran (Memoirs) – When a writer pens down the recollections of his
meeting with any famous, distinguished or intimate person, then that creation is
termed as ‘memoirs’. This form developed during the Post-Chhayavad period.
Memoirs are characterized by picturesqueness, sentimentality, and forcefulness of
expression. Mahadevi Varma, Ramvriksh ‘Benipuri’, Devendra Satyarthi,
Banarasidas Chaturvedi have made significant contributions.
Diary –When a person notes down the effect of the various happenings on his
mind then he is writing a diary. Only a few diaries are available as Ghanshyam,
Das Birla’s Diary Ke Panne, Dr. Dheerendra Varma’s Meri College Diary and
Sunderlal Tripathis’s Dainandini.
Bhent Varta (Interview)
When a great philosopher, politician, scientist,
litterateur, musician or artist is asked some
questions and both the questions and answers given
are written in an organized manner, then this form
of writing is termed as ‘interview’. This form has
dramatic element in it and the importance of
interviews is increasing in the field of Journalism.
Patra-Sahitya (Journalism)
This form came into existence during the age of Dwivedi Mahatama
Gandhi got the letters of Swami Dayanand published in 1904 In the age
of Chhayavad, Vivekanand Patravali was published by Ramkrishna
Ashram, Notable works are Dwivedi Patravali compiled by Baijnath
Singh ‘Vinod’, Padam Singh Sharma Ke Patra compiled by Banarsidas
Chaturvedi, Nirala Ke Patra compiled by Janakivallabh Shastri and Pant
Ke do-Sau Patra Bacchan ke Naam compiled by Harivanshrai Bacchan.
Harivansh Rai Bacchan
Reportage
When any event or report is presented in an extremely artistic,
picturesque heart touching and effective manner, it is called
Reportage. Reortage is marked by artisticness, individualism,
awareness, liveliness and effectiveness Notable works of reportage
are as followsShivdansingh Chauhan – Lakshmipura
Rangey Raghav – Tuphano Ke Beech
Prakashchand Gupt – Almora Ka Bazaar, Bengal Ka Akaal
Ramnarain Upadhyay – Garib Aur Amir
Upendranath ‘Ashq’ – Paharon Mein Premmayi Sangeeti
Rekhachitra (Sketches)
When a writer presents an emotional picture of any person or
event in minimum words, it is a form of sketch. This form is
marked by realism, intimacy, highlights of the person’s personality
or character and pictures queness. Sketches have traces of other
prose forms like story, essay, memoir, reportage etc. Sketches
composed by Mahadevi Varma, Vishnu Prabhakar, Banarasidas
Chaturvedi, Vinoyamohan Sharma, Ramvriksh Benipuri, and
Kanhaiyalal Mishra are notable in Hindi literature.
To sum up, it can said that Hindi literature has evolved
gradually into profound and diverse forms in both poetry and prose,
capable of lending rich expression to the exploration of vast,
external reality as well as intense mental processes.