Abstract 08: Dr. Vijayakumar CPV
TRADITION OF DISSENT IN MEDIEVAL HINDI ASHTACHÁP KRISHNA POETRY
Medieval Hindi poets who flourished during the reign
of Mughal Rulers (1526-1627), were grouped as Rama Bhakta Poets and Krishna
Bhakta Poets. The Ashtachaap (eight
Krishna poets or comrades who were assigned the duties of singing hymns in the
order of each yáma (3 hours) of the day in Sreenath-Krishna temple in Mathura)
were selfless devotees and musicians and were indifferent to the contemporary
rulers. The poets in order and tradition of Pushtimarg were Sur Das, Krishna Das, Kumbhan Das and
Paramananda Das, the disciples of Vallabhacharya and Nanda Das, Chaturbhuj Das,
Chita Swamy and Govinda Swamy, that of Vithal Nath. Some ones were felicitated
as court poets, others to be honoured or to be conferred by titles by their
respective rulers, but the poets dissented them boldly. The Bhakta poets used
to return these felicitations declaring that they are already registered as court poets of
Rama (Tusidas) or Krishna.(Kumbhandas and Surdas etc) or they have no business to deal with the ruler.
Historical evidences of these retardations are seen
during the reigns of Sher Shah Suri (1540-1545) and Mughal King Akbar, who is
said to be the most generous towards Hindu subjects, that the Ashtacháp
poets kept aloof from the contemporary politics. They declared that they
are mere cowherds, and nothing to do with the King. Some denied their rank like Mansabdar. Poets like Surdas did visit the court of Akbar,
disclosing that his eyes are dying to
see Krishna. .Another poet Chitaswami used to get yearly perks from his Guru Birbal, but stopped it due to
dissent. Kumbandas protested saying Akbar that I have nothing to do with Fatehpur Sikri, and do not summon again. Paramanda
Das turned his face showing displeasure to call the King Raja-Ray, who was a Sámant.
The paper highlights those Ashtacháp poets of the medieval Hindi literature with a
tradition of dissent.
Dr.Vijayakumaran.C.P.V.
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