Narsinh mehta biography in gujarati language recipes

15th century Indian poet be proof against saint

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

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

Narsinh Mehta is member of Nagar Brahman community. Narsinh became expert devotee of Krishna, and besotted his life to composing melodic works described as bhakti, espousal devotion towards Krishna. His bhajans have remained popular in Province and Rajasthan for over 5 centuries. Most notably, his paper Vaishnav Jan To was Guru Gandhi's favorite and became general with freedom fighters across India.^[1]

Biography

Much of what is known on every side Narsinh Mehta is derived flight his own compositions and lyrical works, due to the deficiency of formal historical documentation close this period.^[2] Additional insights disruption Narsinh Mehta's biography are speck in works from other poets of subsequent eras, as their poems describe in detail picture personality of Narsinh Mehta ray certain key events from her highness life.^[3]

Though there is no assent among scholars on exact dates, it is believed Narsinh was born in 1414 and ephemeral until the age of 79.^[4] While there is no particular date mentioned in Narsinh's life compositions or in works be bereaved later poets, the incidents portrayed establish Narsinh's presence in magnanimity 15th century, notably during rectitude reign of Mandallika III.^[3]

Early life

Narsinh Mehta was born in Gopnath village near the town look up to Talaja (now located in goodness Bhavnagar district, Gujarat).

As exceptional member of the Nagar Brahmin community, Narsinh's father held wish administrative position in a sovereign court. Narsinh was mute on hold the age of eight. Illegal began to speak only abaft meeting a holy man who had him utter the expression "Radhe Shyam". His older fellow, Bansidhar, was 17 years rulership senior.

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

Based on the language, constitution, and emotion of Narsinh's metrical works, it is believed elegance studied in his Nagar parentage tradition and had knowledge very last literary tradition and creativity.

Nonetheless, his poetry focuses exclusively sequence religious devotion and is attributed to becoming a devotee remove Krishna.^[3]

Becoming a devotee of Krishna

Narsinh and his wife Manekbai temporary in his older brother Bansidhar's home, but were treated extremely poorly by Bansidhar's wife. Disallow ill-tempered woman, she taunted illustrious insulted Narsinh repeatedly.

One grant, when Narsinh had enough believe her taunts and insults, prohibited left the house and went to a nearby forest resolve search of some peace, position he fasted and meditated get by without a secluded Shiva lingam go bad Gopnath mahadev Mandir for digit days. Pleased by his religiosity, the god Shiva is oral to have manifested before Narsinh and took him to Vrindavan where he saw Krishna last the gopis dancing (ras leela).^[4] There, Narsinh is described put your name down hold the torch which fail the grounds for the ras leela.

He was so enthralled in watching Krishna that take steps did not realize the singe was burning his hand.^[2][4] Avatar was pleased with Narsinh's religiousness and granted him a necessitate. Narsinh asked to have endless devotion of Krishna and greatness ability to sing about emperor glory. Krishna granted him that, along with the constant facing of ras leela and rendering promise to always be miniature Narsinh's side.^[2] He resolved denote compose around 22,000 kirtans survey compositions.^[1]

After this transformative experience, Narsinh returned to his village, insane his sister-in-law's feet as awe, and thanked her for impolite him for had she categorize made him upset, the preceding episode would not have occurred.^[4] Thereafter Narsinh moved out training his brother's home and inclination a small house in Junagadh, where he began a character of devotion dedicated to Krishna.^[2][4]

Time in Junagadh

In Junagadh, Narsinh temporary in poverty with his partner and two children, a phenomenon named Shamaldas, and a female child for whom he had communal affection, Kunwarbai.

His popularity grew as a bhajan singer, considerably he sang and danced prestige praises of Krishna in distinction company of all, regardless mention gender, class, and caste. Interpretation Nagar Brahmin community, which Narsinh belonged to, found it objectionable that Narsinh associated with those deemed a lower caste.

Prestige Nagar Brahmins were considered "high ranking", and known for their elegant manners, musical skills, significant court appointments. Many Nagar Brahmins at the time worshipped Shivah, and some sources state that contributed to their opposition keep from torment of Narsinh, who was an ardent Krishna devotee.^[2][3]

Narsinh's autobiographic works as well as afterward compositions from other poets supply a glimpse of certain muffled incidents from his life, depiction Narsinh's bhakti towards Krishna.

The wedding of Shamaldas

The family priestess of an influential individual dubbed Madan Mehta, came to Junagadh in search of an down in the mouth partner for Madan Mehta's lass. A local Nagar Brahmin indirect the priest meet Narsinh's mortal Shamaldas, hoping the priest would experience Narsinh's poverty and circulate this news to other towns.

However, the priest approved diagram Shamaldas and announced the betrothal. Narsinh invited Krishna to nobleness wedding, much to the humiliate of the other Brahmin's who mocked Narsinh's poverty and outlook that Krishna would help him. The wedding party of Shamaldas, full of people with ruled means, departed Junagadh and entered with much pomp and brand beyond everyone's expectations.

It remains believed that Krishna miraculously allowing Narsinh's family with everything wanted to celebrate the wedding make a fuss over Shamaldas.^[2][4]

Putrah Vivah or Shamaldas inept Vivah is a composition go wool-gathering depicts this incident and portrays Krishna coming to the bear up of his devotee.^[3]

Promissory note

Many impossible to differentiate the community questioned the penury of Narsinh and assumed operate was deceiving everyone.

The regional Nagar Brahmin's once convinced pure group of pilgrims to top off a promissory note from Narsinh for ₹700, telling them think it over Narsinh was actually a overflowing man despite appearances. When approached by the pilgrims, Narsinh unwritten he was being tricked, on the other hand he accepted the money deliver wrote a promissory note come to get a merchant in Dwarka, in the pilgrims were traveling to.^[2]

The merchant named in the keep details was Shamalsha Sheth.

Upon appearance in Dwarka, the pilgrims misjudge no one had heard appreciate an individual with this nickname, and assumed they had anachronistic scammed out of ₹700 incite Narsinh. To their surprise, young adult individual named Shamalsha appeared striking for the pilgrims and pressurize somebody into the principal with substantial notice.

It is believed the Avatar appeared as Shamalsha to meet the promissory note.^[2]

Narsinh's composition "Hundi", is famous not only restore Gujarati but in other gifts of India as well, topmost was written as a petition to Krishna after he be a success this bond from the pilgrims ("Mari Hundi swikaro Maharaj coolness Shamala Giridhari...", which translates to "Oh God, please accept ill at ease 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 age dictated that the parents method the mother-to-be would give endowments to their daughter's in-laws by way of the seventh month of gravidity, a custom known as mameru. Given Narsinh's extreme poverty endure his total immersion in zeal to Krishna, he arrived estimate his daughter's in-laws home unfurnished handed. When he asked them for a list of warranted gifts to provide, Kunwarbai's in-laws provided a list of reduced items that would be impossible for Narsinh.

Upon receiving greatness list, Narsinh prayed to Avatar and soon a merchant, unspoken to be the form apply Krishna, appeared with gifts stop in midsentence abundance.^[2]

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

Garland from Krishna

The Nagar Brahmin's continued to oppose Narsinh, most important instigated the King of Junagadh, Ra Mandallika to test Narsinh. The King falsely accused Narsinh, and demanded that Narsinh cover up Krishna to send him depiction garland from the murti central part the temple of Damodar. That alone would provide Narsinh's naturalness and spare his life.

Narsinh prayed all night and pleaded with Krishna to make position King's demand come true, consequently that others would not whinge pursuing a path of fire. The next morning, Krishna set the garland on Narsinh's neckline and Narsinh received an excuse from the King.^[2]

Later life move legacy

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

Many parallels are ignored between Narsinh's life events dispatch those of other saint-poets much as Surdas, Tulsidas, Meera, Kabir, Namdev and Sundarar.

Like distinct others of the era, Narsinh faced strong opposition from territory but remained steadfast in diadem devotion. His acceptance and society with all people, regardless recompense caste, creed, and social grade was unique to the Nagar Brahmins at the time stomach remained an important part gradient his adherence and commitment compulsion the Vaishnav tradition.^[3]

Narsinh's son dull at young age leaving lack of inhibition his young widow and safety test of grief his wife besides died soon.

Despite this happening, his devotion did not alter. In his later life, Narsinh went to Mangrol where, dead even the age of 79, yes is believed to have died.^[4]

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

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

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

Poetic works

Narsinh's elegiac work is typically viewed similarly bhajans towards Krishna but additionally Hindu bhakti. As a lead poet of Gujarat, his bhajans have been sung in Province and Rajasthan for over 5 years centuries^[2] The compositions form philosophical or ethical, and oftentimes descriptive of the love delightful Radha and Krishna^[4]

Notable Features

Narsinh's bhajans belong to the genre "deshi" in Gujarati, which is additionally known as "pad" as graceful close similar in North Asiatic languages.

Both styles anchor in good health the traditional meters and favourite tunes and rhythms. He interest known for ragas common at hand the morning time, spring, be first rainy season.^[2]

According to Champaklal Nayak, Narsinh is the first take a breather compose bhajans about Krishna undecided the appropriate ragas.

Narsinh steady items for his own melodic, and it is impossible prefer confirm or reconstruct the melodies in which he sang them.^[2]

One of the most important punters of Mehta's works is turn this way they are not available multiply by two the language in which Narsinh had composed them. They take been largely preserved orally.

Rendering oldest available manuscript of government work is dated around 1612, and was found by ethics noted scholar Keshavram Kashiram Shastri from Gujarat Vidhya Sabha. By reason of of the immense popularity method his works, their language has undergone modifications over time.^[8]

Narsinh's gratuitous has expanded beyond his Religion bhakti into secular contexts specified as school events and developmental programs^[2]

Genres of Gujarati folk Music

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

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

Categories exhaust Compositions

Narsinh's works are typically formed into 4 broad categories meander 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 verse depicting Radha and Krishna^[8]

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

Works used by Mahatma Gandhi

See: Vaishnav jan to, his approved 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 raise as a global song contempt compassion, moral integrity, and labour to humankind. Gandhi elevated Narsinh's life and work beyond blue blood the gentry religious context and into preferable ethical and moral themes.^[2]

In regular culture

The first Gujarati talkie single, Narsinh Mehta (1932) directed close to Nanubhai Vakil was based put Narsinh Mehta's life.^[9] The bilingualist film Narsi Mehta in Sanskrit and Narsi Bhagat in Sanskrit (1940) directed by Vijay Bhatt and had paralleled Mehta anti Mahatma Gandhi.

Narsi Bhagat, entail Indian Hindi-language biographical film manage without Devendra Goel released in 1957. The soundtrack from the peel, with music by Ravi Shankar Sharma and lyrics by Gopal Singh Nepali, became popular specially the song "Darshan Do Ghanshyam" (which was misattributed to character poet Surdas in the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire).^[10] This was followed by Bhagat Narsinh Mehta, an Indian Gujarati-language film obliged by Vijay B.

Chauhan which released in 1984.^[11]

Narsaiyo (1991) was a Gujarati television series scatter by the Ahmedabad centre be bought Doordarshan starring Darshan Jariwala withdraw lead role. This 27-episode creation 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, nippy.

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

Critical material in English

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

  University University Press. ISBN .

• Munshi, K.M. Gujarata and Its Literature: A Begin 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 gradient Gujarat and their Influence operate 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 Gujerati Literature. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, 1978.

Critical material in Gujarati

• Chaudhri, Raghuvir (ed.).

  Narsinh Mehta: Aswad Echelon 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 Discourse in Gujarati on Siddha-ras doubtful 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' force 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 Pan, 1972

References

External links