The Modern Age: Bharatendu to Nai Kavita
The Modern Age: Bharatendu to Nai Kavita
The modern age supplies two questions and the whole topic rests on the order of its movements. The streams from the age of Bharatendu down to Nai Kavita, their years and their leading figures are what get asked, so the sequence is best held as a timeline.
The Streams of the Modern Age
| Stream | Approximate span | Leading names |
|---|---|---|
| Bharatendu Yug | 1868 to 1900 | Bharatendu Harishchandra |
| Dwivedi Yug | 1900 to 1920 | Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, Maithilisharan Gupt |
| Chhayavad | 1918 to 1936 | Prasad, Nirala, Pant, Mahadevi |
| Pragativad | from 1936 | Nagarjun, Kedarnath Agrawal |
| Prayogvad | from 1943 | Agyeya, Tar Saptak |
| Nai Kavita | from 1954 | Jagdish Gupt, Dharmvir Bharati |
Bharatendu Harishchandra is called the father of modern Hindi literature. Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi made Khari Boli the language of poetry through his editing of the journal Saraswati, which is why a whole age carries his name.
✗ Chhayavad was founded by Bharatendu Harishchandra | ✓ Bharatendu is the father of modern Hindi literature; Chhayavad is a much later stream
The Four Pillars of Chhayavad
| Poet | Major works |
|---|---|
| Jaishankar Prasad | Kamayani, Aansu, Lahar, Jharna |
| Suryakant Tripathi Nirala | Ram ki Shaktipuja, Saroj Smriti, Parimal |
| Sumitranandan Pant | Pallav, Veena, Chidambara |
| Mahadevi Verma | Nihar, Rashmi, Neerja, Yama |
Kamayani is regarded as the finest epic of Chhayavad, and Mahadevi Verma is called the modern Mira because of the depth of feeling in her poetry. Nirala is treated as the founder of free verse in Hindi for breaking the bonds of metre.
Prayogvad and Nai Kavita
Prayogvad is taken to begin in 1943 with the publication of Tar Saptak, edited by Agyeya and containing the work of seven poets. Nai Kavita grew out of it around 1954 and made the small experiences of ordinary people the subject of poetry.
क्रम याद रखने का सूत्र: भारतेंदु ने गद्य दिया, द्विवेदी ने खड़ी बोली दी, छायावाद ने कल्पना दी, प्रगतिवाद ने समाज दिया, प्रयोगवाद ने नया शिल्प दिया और नई कविता ने आम आदमी को कविता में जगह दी।
TRE pointer: Tar Saptak, 1943, edited by Agyeya is close to certain. Hold the four pillars of Chhayavad with one work each — Kamayani for Prasad, Yama for Mahadevi. The two epithets, Bharatendu as father of modern Hindi literature and Nirala as founder of free verse, are also asked.
60-Second Recap
- Bharatendu Harishchandra is the father of modern Hindi literature.
- In the Dwivedi age Khari Boli became the language of poetry.
- The four pillars of Chhayavad are Prasad, Nirala, Pant and Mahadevi.
- Kamayani is Jaishankar Prasad's epic; Mahadevi is called the modern Mira.
- Nirala is regarded as the founder of free verse.
- Prayogvad began with Tar Saptak in 1943, edited by Agyeya.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tar Saptak and why does it matter?
It is a collection of poetry published in 1943, edited by Agyeya, containing the work of seven poets. The beginning of Prayogvad is dated from its publication, which is why both the year and the editor are asked in the examination.
Who are the four pillars of Chhayavad?
Jaishankar Prasad, Suryakant Tripathi Nirala, Sumitranandan Pant and Mahadevi Verma. Their principal works are Kamayani, Ram ki Shaktipuja, Pallav and Yama respectively. Holding the four names with one work each answers most questions from this area.
Why is Mahadevi Verma called the modern Mira?
Because her poetry carries the same depth of pain and longing found in Mirabai, though her voice is modern and personal. Nihar, Rashmi, Neerja and Sandhyageet are her principal works, and Yama is her best known collection.
What was the greatest contribution of the Dwivedi age?
Establishing Khari Boli as the language of poetry. Before that, poetry was written mostly in Braj bhasha. Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi refined the language through his editing of Saraswati and turned writers towards disciplined composition.