Saturday, 15 September 2012

8. Dr. Vijayakumaran CPV


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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