Every poem is unique but each reflects the universal in human experience, the aspiration for creativity that crosses all boundaries and borders, of time as well as space,”’’ is how Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO described the significance of World Poetry Day being celebrated on March 21. Mountains have inspired human imagination from times immemorial and the hills of Uttarakhand too have nurtured many a gifted bard.
As recounted by noted author and poet Veenapani Joshi in a conversation with The Pioneer, “‘Poetry has always been an important part of Uttarakhand’s oral tradition. The origin can be dated back to early 19th century when Garhwali and Kumaoni were the two primary languages in which poetry was written in Central Himalayas. lok Ratna Pant ‘Gumani’ (1791-1846) is considered the founder of Kumaoni poetry. Also, we can never forget the legendary Padmavibhushan Sumitranandan Pant, one of the most acclaimed Hindi poets of India.”’
Born in 1900 in Kasauni, Pant started writing poetry at the young age of 7. He was mesmerised by the Himalayas- the splendid vistas of Kumaon where his first inspiration was reflected in his earliest work that he wrote from 1907-1918 in his native village. Uttarakhand also has the distinction of being home to Pitambar Dutt Barthwal of Pali village, the first ever PhD or Dlitt of India in Hindi literature.
Another noted poet from Dehradun, Ratan Singh Jaunsari told The Pioneer, “‘local poets have been at the forefront of all people’s movements in the region. There were scores of gifted writers like Gauri Datt Pande also called Gaurda who wrote such sensitive poetry and wrote bold and thought-provoking poetry on social reform and political freedom. Then again, renowned poets like Girish Tiwari, better known as Girda, directed the masses in the forest movement.”’
Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement of 1930-31 set off a forest satyagraha in Kumaon Himalaya. Many poets responded by composing forceful anti-British poetry. One of the most popular among these was the Kumaoni poem, Vrikshan Ko Vilap or lamentation of the trees written by famous Kumaoni poet, Gaur Da (1862-1939) that he wrote in 1930 moved people greatly. The poem reflected public acrimony against British forest policy.
In the history of Garhwali poetry, Kanhaya lal Dandriyal is renowned as the Maha Kavi (Great Poet) of Garhwali poetry. His compelling symbolic poetry used animals to depict the freedom movement. Then there was Abodh Bandhu Bahuguna. India’s freedom struggle, sacrifices of freedom fighters, people’s hopes and later frustrations from India’s political independence as well as Indo-Pak, the Indo-China war and the pain of separation that migration brought formed the key themes.
It is heartening that despite the onslaught of new media, the oral tradition of poetry recitals still thrives in Uttarakhand. Dehradun alone is today home to many eminent poets in diverse languages and poetry recitals still form a vibrant part of its cultural fabric.
