Ritikal: Tendencies and Major Poets
Ritikal: Tendencies and Major Poets
Ritikal supplies one to two questions and the whole topic rests on three sub-streams — Ritibaddh, Ritisiddh and Ritimukt. Which poet belongs to which sub-stream is the main question set from here, so the basis of each of the three should be clearly understood first.
The Tendencies of Ritikal
- The dominance of shringar ras, especially in its union aspect.
- The writing of lakshan granth, works setting out the rules of poetry.
- The elaboration of nayika bhed and head-to-foot description.
- A refined and heavily ornamented form of Braj bhasha.
- Court patronage — most of the poets wrote under royal protection.
Because of this dominance of shringar the period is also called Shringar Kal. The name Ritikal came about because the poets wrote works laying down the riti, that is, the rules of poetry.
The Three Sub-streams
| Sub-stream | Basis | Main poets |
|---|---|---|
| Ritibaddh | wrote lakshan granth, composed by rule | Keshavdas, Chintamani, Matiram, Dev |
| Ritisiddh | wrote no lakshan granth but mastered the riti | Bihari |
| Ritimukt | free of the bonds of riti, independent love poetry | Ghananand, Bodha, Alam, Thakur |
Bihari is taken as the sole Ritisiddh poet — he wrote no work of rules, yet his Bihari Satsai is complete in mastery of the riti. That solitary position is exactly what makes it a settled question.
✗ Bihari is a Ritibaddh poet because he wrote the Satsai | ✓ He is Ritisiddh; the Satsai is muktak poetry, not a work of rules
Major Poets and Their Works
| Poet | Works |
|---|---|
| Keshavdas | Rasikpriya, Kavipriya, Ramchandrika |
| Bihari | Bihari Satsai |
| Matiram | Rasraj, Lalit Lalam |
| Dev | Bhav Vilas, Ras Vilas |
| Ghananand | Sujan Hit, Ishq Lata |
| Bhushan | Shivraj Bhushan, Shiva Bavani |
Bhushan is the exception of this period — he wrote not in shringar but in vir ras, praising Shivaji and Chhatrasal. Being the one major name for heroic sentiment in this age is why he is asked again and again.
आसान पहचान: लक्षण ग्रंथ लिखा तो रीतिबद्ध, नहीं लिखा पर रीति में पक्का तो रीतिसिद्ध, और रीति की परवाह ही नहीं की तो रीतिमुक्त।
TRE pointer: Bihari as the sole Ritisiddh poet and Ghananand as the leading Ritimukt one are two near-certain questions. Bhushan's vir ras is the exception of the age and is asked for that reason. Remember the second name Shringar Kal, and that the name Ritikal comes from the works of rules.
60-Second Recap
- Ritikal was dominated by shringar ras and works of poetic rules.
- It is also called Shringar Kal and Uttar Madhyakal.
- Its three sub-streams are Ritibaddh, Ritisiddh and Ritimukt.
- Bihari is the sole Ritisiddh poet; his work is the Bihari Satsai.
- Ghananand, Bodha, Alam and Thakur are Ritimukt poets.
- Bhushan wrote in vir ras — Shivraj Bhushan and Shiva Bavani.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Bihari called a Ritisiddh poet?
Because he wrote no lakshan granth setting out the rules of poetry, and yet his Bihari Satsai is regarded as fully accomplished in the riti. He is very nearly the only representative of this sub-stream, which is why the question returns so often.
Who are the Ritimukt poets?
Those who wrote independent love poetry, free of the bonds of riti and of the tradition of works of rules. Ghananand, Bodha, Alam and Thakur are the principal names. Their love is not courtly ornament but deep personal feeling, and that is what sets them apart.
What is the other name of Ritikal?
Shringar Kal, because shringar ras was the dominant tendency of the period. In Acharya Shukla's division it is also called Uttar Madhyakal. The name Ritikal itself arose because poets of the time wrote works setting out the riti, or rules, of poetry.
Why does Bhushan stand apart in Ritikal?
Because the whole age was dominated by shringar, yet he wrote in vir ras and described the valour of Shivaji and Chhatrasal. Shivraj Bhushan and Shiva Bavani are his main works. Being the exception is precisely what makes him a popular examination question.