CHAPTER -II A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF HINDI AND ASSAMESE FOLK LITERATURE In English, literal meaning of ल क स हय, is Folk Literature. Before explaining the concept of literature, it is essential to know the meaning of Folk i.e. Lok. The word Lok has been derived from the Sanskrit word ल कदशन and originated by fixing घञ suffix in this word. 1 It becomes as ल कत (Lokte) in first person singular number which means to see. Thus, meaning of Lok will be spectator. As a large number of people are spectators therefore, it may be called as Lok. The gravity of Folk has been well described in Rigveda as well as in Upasishads, Geeta and Ramcharitmanas and by a good number of eminent poets in different places and in different contexts. In well known Purush Sukta of Rigveda, the word folk has been used for both living beings and places. न य आस द त र श ण य समवतन पदभय भ म द दश ' त (थ ल क अक+पतयन 2----(Rigveda,10.90-14) In Upanishads the word Folk has been adduced in many points in ethnic sense. It is truly said in Jamini Upanishad Brahman that lok is prevalent in various forms and we can perceive its existence everywhere. In spite of full efforts and endeavour, no one can achieve it as a whole. बह /य हत व अय बह त ल क Page 32
3---- (Jamini Upnishada 3.28.2) ए एत अ1य प नर हत अय त अ2 त त मर 4ध1य ल क1य त वच टत --Mahabharat Adiparva, 1-84 4 ल क ट 1मत वध रठ प र ; <त मन षण --Geeta,3.28 5 ल क व द क मरज द इह गल क फ स --- Kabir 6 स नह परम प न त इ तह स ज स न सकल ल क Dम न स --Ramcharitamanasa, 7 Thus it can be said that common people habitat is Folk. People means every kind of people whether, rich or poor, powerful or weak, literate or illiterate, cultured or uncultured i.e. all the living persons on this earth. It is the united form of the diversified universe and infusion of the all the groups of society. Folk is related mainly with the cultural aspects of human being who irrespective of being rich or poor, powerful or weak, literate or illiterate, cultured or uncultured used to spend their life with their ancient traditional values and customs and these traditions and proverbs are reflected even in the modern elite society. Clarifying the meaning of folk it is essential to determine the concept of literature along with its reciprocal relation and its original meaning. As explained earlier, generally, folk is the synonym of society. In isolation or in hollow, evolution of literature is not possible. Rather it has social substratum. Literal generic originated only after prolong social struggles. Eminent personalities clearly defined and determined the relation between literature and society, which are considered below--- स हय मन य क च(व (य क स चत ; त ब ब ह --- Acharya Ramchandra Shukla 8 2 न र श क स चत ढ़ र क न म स हय ह ----Acharya hazari Prasad Dwivedi 9 Page 33
स हय ज वन क आल चन ह ---Mathew Arnorld 10 स हय सम ज क च तन तथ अच तन मन क ल ख -ज ख ह ---Frayed 11 ल खक अपन /य <तव क म Lयम स सम ज क स हय क Mप द त ह Dr. Namvar Singh 12 स हय सम ज क दपण ह ---Pandit Shyamsundar Das 13 Literature is a medium to express one s vital feelings through language. It is powered by the society and it always motivated countrymen whenever required. In view of lexical derivation, literature generally indicates goodness of the social common man. स हत1य भ व स हयम Sahitya Darpan 14 स हय1य कमस हयम ---Sahitya Darpan 15 हतन सह स हत त1य भ व स हयम ----Sahitya Darpan 16 Without folk, we cannot even imagine about modern literature. Being a social human, litterateurs feel happiness and sufferings of the people around them and by the strength of their language and poetic imaginary power new literatures are being created. Folk literature is the prime source of modern literature. In the context of Folk literature, it is commonly interpreted that compositions made by the general people can only be termed as folk literature. It is instinctive and natural expression of the people but oral and poetic in character transmitted from one generation to other by word of mouth. It consists, oral form of all kinds of folk songs, myths, idioms and phrases, proverbs riddles, gags, rocker songs, play songs and even abuses and dirty words are also considered under the term folk literature. It is a very interesting and knowledgeable subject. Page 34
Prefixing the word Folk before Literature it turns its meaning as literature of the people, creation of the common people. Though it may not be a created by any one specific person, still composition made by the people or by any particular community can be defined as folk literature. Feelings of that community i.e. bliss and blues, hopes and despairs, terror, love, unity etc are being expressed in these compositions. They collectively express their emotions in the form of songs, stories, dance etc. and people of their next generation follow them after some modifications or changes. Literature preserved by the collective efforts of the people may be called as Folk Literature. 2.1 DEFINITION OF FOLK LITERATURE Scholars have tried to define folk literature with their own viewpoints. But we don t find any general and acceptable definition, whereby, we can produce a definite definition of folk literature accordingly. Following are some of the definitions presented by eminent folklorists - Dr Krishna Dev Upadhyaya, referring the name of famous western folklorist Grim, mentioned folk literature as composition of the people, for the people, by the people and tried to define folk literature in the following way: आध नक सयत स द र, अपन सहज तथ ; क तक अव1थ मN वतम न तथ क थत असय एव अ श त जनत क ल क कहत हP जनक ज वन दशन और रहन-सहन ; च न परRपर ओ, वTव स तथ आ1थ ओ व र प रच लत एव नय Uत ह त ह सयत क ;भ व स द र रहन व ल अपन सहज व1थ मN वतम न ज नरर जनत ह उसक आश नर श, हष वष द, ज वन-मरण, ल भ-ह न, स ख-द ख आ द क अ भ/यजत कस Page 35
स हय मN ; Yत ह त ह उस ल क स हय कहत हP इस ;क र ल क स हय जनत क वह स हय ह ज जनत क व र, जनत क लए लख गय ह 17 Folk literature is the simple and natural expression of common men, free from academism and artificiality. Vast empire of modern cultured and civilized literature is being set up on the basis of folk literature. ल क स हय अप Zष य व ङमय ह और शट स हत य क उस 18 It is well said by Dr. Hardwarilal Sharma that actually, common religions are based on ritualism, grounded on the power of faith and devotion and its continuous recognition. In other words, we can say that folk is far from civilization and culture and very close to the worldly mind of the human being. अत ए 1म ल क व द च ; थत प Zष (म --- 19 Gita व द ]च व दक श^द सध ल क ]च ल कक --- Mabhabharat20 In fact, Folk literature is the natural expression of common people and very often it is unscripted and transmitted from one generation to other by word of mouth. स भवत ल कस हय ल क स 1क त क व 1त वक ; त ब ब ह त ह 21 According to Dr. Satyendra, folk literature contains all the dialects and linguistic expressions and should fulfill the following criteria: 1. Existence of primitive humane traces. 2. Expressed in line of traditional oral dialects and linguistic, not regarded as a composition of any one person, recognized as theory of revealed preferences and inherited in the nature of the common people. Page 36
3. Should be a composition, should possess common human abstract and should be accepted as their own, no matter if it is related with any specific personality. According to Dr. Chandrashekhar ल क स हय स द घक ल स चल आय ल क म नस क उस भ वध र क ; Yत Mप ह ज /य <तगत च तन क आ'य ल कर ' त परRपर स क ल क अस _य थपड़ ख त ह ई ल क वTव स क अ ग बनकर ब सव शत तक अ bण Mप स स र 'त रह 22 Dr. Dhirendra Verma beliefs that व 1तव मN ल क स हय वह म खक अ भ/य <त ह, ज भल ह कस /य <त न गढ़ ह, पर आज जस स म 4य ल क सम ह अपन म नत ह 23 In terms of Folk, it is agreed that eyewitness means witnessed universally. ;य दशdल क न सवदशd भव 4नर 24 On the other hand Kabirdas also accepted the importance of Aankhan Dekhi in place of Kagaz Lekhi. Obviously, this Aankhan Dekhi is the prime characteristic of folk- life. Folk literature is a part of folk culture or one of its elements. If folk culture is compared with a big banyan tree, we should put down Folk literature as one of its branch. If folk culture is the body then folk literature is its organ. Expansiveness of folk culture arises in all spheres of the public life, while folk literature reveals around the folk songs, myths, idioms and phrases, proverbs riddles, etc. Folk culture consist the inner sentiments of folk literature but inclusion of folk culture, into folk literature is not possible. 25 It is necessary to mention here that the word Lokvarta has been accepted as Lok Sanskriti by Dr. Krishnadev Upadhaya and by Acharya Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Page 37
Loktatva by Dr. Styendra and Lokayan by Dr. Suniti Kumar Chaterjee and by Dr. Bholanath Tiwari. Putting together Lokvarta and Janpadiya, Dr. Vasudev Agrawal has indicated three paths for its studies. In this context, he refers that it is a union of various subjects viz, life history of the people, their philosophical way of living and keen studies of the languages. Alternatively, he accepted folk literature as a part of Lokvarta. A like Hindi literature, in the context of Assamese literature, the names of Dr. Prafulladutta Goswami, Dr. Birinchi Kumar Barua are remarkable. Dr. Birinchi Kumar Barua used the word Loksanskrity as a synonym of Folklore. Folk culture is the good example of solidarity and unity of the common people, irrespective of their diverse culture, groups, societies or their variant emotions, philosophy and their fractional imaginations. It gives us a picture of cultural social life of the primitive world, their delightedness and medium of their social amusement. 26 Dr. Prafulladutta Goswami used the word Janakristy and Jan Sahitya as a synonym of Folklore and Folk Literature respectively. It has been observed that words like Lokkriti, Lokaitihya, Lokvangmaya, Lokayan, Lokcharan etc are being used in this context. 27 Folk literature was mainly produced by the folk society. In fact, folk literature flourished and transmitted from one generation to other by word of mouth. It contains songs, dances, stories, phrases and idioms, tales chanted or executed on different occasions whether they are literate or illiterate or indulged in indigenous professions, viz, farmer, sheep or cattle rear, baobab, navigator, artisan or craftsman, businessman, weaver etc. 28 Page 38
On the basis of above mentioned definitions, we can define that Folk literature is the expression or composition of an unknown composer; it is orally transmitted to one generation to other; it is expressed in the language or dialect which was mostly spoken by the large number of people of that period; it does not accept any bondage of academic doctrine and expresses instinct but inner happiness of the common people. In this sense, it is distinct from any civilized and classic literature. Today s modern literatures are scripted; having different styles; available in written or published form; names of the author or writer is known and conveys his or her personal emotions. In the above quoted definitions, described by profound personalities, they all mentioned the fact that Folk literature is creations of unknown persons. Sometimes it is referred that Folk literature are produced by folk people, might be creation of any one specific person but it is so deeply influenced and touch the heart of the common man that its originality transforms. It gets popularity, passing through various procedures and cannot be recognized as a creation of any particular person rather it is known as a creation of the common people. All the above quoted definitions, produced by different writers, are influenced with western viewpoints. No definition can be recognized as their original, absolute or perfect. 2.1.1. CHARACTERISTICS OF FOLK LITERATURE. On the basis of afore said definitions and analysis, the following characteristics of Folk literature can be determined: 1. Folk literature is the literature of the literate or illiterate group of society who is not in touch with civilization, instinct and unaffected with any kind of unnatural influence but accustomed to live a laborious life. Page 39
2. It is not found in written form, transmitted orally to one generation to other and practiced in the same style. In modern age, we find it in written form also. 3. Heart to heart feelings of life of the people i.e. bliss and blues, pleasures and amusements, union and separation etc are expressed naturally in these compositions. No artificiality, stealth or delitescent is found. 4. It represents folk culture and reflects the diverse aspects of folk life with wholeheartedness and sincereness. 5. It does not accept any bondage of language, versification or adornment. Folk songs are mostly used for singing purpose, only rhythm is taken into account which is its soul. 6. It is very fond of social conservative traditions which are clearly reflected in these compositions. It is totally against civilization and transformation. 7. Name of the writer is neither popularized nor emphasized. Songs sung by any one person or groups may be sung by the same way by others after some modifications. All over the country, songs on different occasions are chanted mostly by the same way. In the field of prose, we find folk literature in form of folk stories. Storytelling is in practice since primitive age and folk stories are generally nameless and oral. Neither these contain any title nor names of the original writers known. In reference to folk literature, the followings points may be included: (1) Folk experience (2) vocabulary of local dialect (3) fluency (4) independent provisions (5) importance of rhythm (apart to folk tales) (6) expression of primitive mind or life Page 40
(7) expression of folk life and folk culture (importance of conservatism, traditions, systems, beliefs, faiths, festivals, feasts, celebrations etc. 8. Express the life style of half civilized or uncivilized human races. These characteristics could only be considered as an element of folk literature. In conclusion, it may be mentioned that folk literature is the medium of instinct and innocent expression, free from complexity of academicism, far from clumsiness, artificiality and artistic notions. 2.1.2. CLASSIFICATION OF FOLK LITERATURE It will not be overstating that in the light of folk literature, life of the common people is reflected. It is the way to pass on their feelings. It depicts a picture whatever they think or experience. Folk people entertain themselves by chanting songs on the occasion of their different rites and rituals. Story telling is the medium of their amusement. Every now and then, villagers used to express their inner thoughts, uttering pinching provender and soulful proverbs. There are many analects which are created on common people s perception and can t be availed elsewhere. Folk Literature can be classified in five divisions: 1. Folk- Lyrics 2. Folk- ballads 3. Folk Tales 4. Folk Drama 5. Folk sayings 29 Phrases, proverbs riddles, gags, rocker songs, play songs and meaningless songs, used by the villagers in their day to day life are included under folk sayings. Page 41
Dr. Prafulla Dutta Goswami 30 followed the path of eminent Folk scholar Dean Stith Thompson and classified Folk literature into following parts: 1. Stories 2. Songs 3. Dristant 4. Yojana 5. Pravah 6. Mantra Again, songs have been sub divided into following parts: 1. Descriptive or Malita 2. Lyrics (specially love songs) 3. Ado songs 4. Play songs 5. Children s songs, lullaby According to Dr. Styendra Nath Sharma Folk literature has been mainly divided into following parts: 1. Folk songs 2. Proverb and Phrases 3. Folk stories Classifying the folk literature, Shri Atul Chandra Barua said that: There are only two types of Folk literature, firstly, verse and secondly prose, following which, folk literature can be divided into two parts- (1) Swardharmi (2) Jandharmi. 31 According to Dr. Biranchi Kumar Barua, since primitive age, folk literature is being preserved orally in both prose and verse forms. Page 42
On behalf of above mentioned perceptions, presented by eminent scholars, we can conclude that folk literature can be classified only into two parts, first, Verse (poetries and songs) secondly, Prose (Folk stories) 2.2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF HINDI FOLK LITERATURE Life of the Hindi speaking regions is portrayed in Hindi folk literature. Beliefs, rituals, customs, ideologies of the common people of Uttar Pradesh are illustrated through Folk literature. In modern age also, Hindi folk literature consists diverse social, religious, cultural customs alike primitive age and it depicts a true picture of their folk life. Indian folklorists started the studies of folk literature only after 1920s. In this series, systematic works commenced from the third decade of 20 th century. Remarkable names in this field are- Pandit Ramnaresh Tripathi 32, Devendra Satyarthi 33, Dr. Vasudev Sharan Agrawal 34, Pandit Banarasidas Chaturvedi 35 and Dr. Satyendra. It is observed that- 1. In India, studies in the field of folk literature have been commenced by British Officers. 2. First off, Colonel Tad worked in the field of Rajasthani folk literature, a dialect of Hindi language. 3. First off, Evan Bhavolovich an eminent Russian philosopher out set works on Hindi literature. 4. Pandit Ramcharan Chaube took initiative to compile Hindi Folk songs and a book on this collection was published in the year 1893. Page 43
5. Credit should be given to Pandit Ramnaresh Tripathi who did formal collection of Hindi folk songs and did tremendous works in the field of Hindi folk literature. Book on his collection was published in 1929. Thus, names of two folklorists, Pandit Ramcharan Chaube and Pandit Ramnaresh Tripathi should be accredited for the preliminary works on Hindi folk literature. Therefore, in my opinion, it will be improper to determine that compilations and interpretations came in light before 1920s are contributions of Britishers. By recognition of folk literature as a discipline by various universities, new hopes and scopes for research works emerged on this subject. As a result, in more than hundreds of Indian Universities, thousands of students are carrying out research works on folk literature. More than fifty universities have been situated at Hindi speaking belt where hundreds of students are engaged in research works on folk literature. Pioneer name for executing research work on this subject, in Hindi speaking belt, is Dr. Satyendra who was awarded degree of Ph.D from Agra University in 1957 for his research studies on the subject Braj Lok Sahitya Ka Adyayan. Secondly, the name of famous folklorist Dr. Krishnadev Upadyaya may be mentioned, who secured degree of Ph.D in 1961 by Locknow University for his research work Bhojpuri Loksahitya Ka Adyayan. Third remarkable name is Dr. Trilachan Pandey, who did his research on Kumauni Lok sahitya. This research is regarded as an original and erudite in respect of several viewpoints. Henceforth, many scholars and students started their research works on folk literature. Gradually, about 200 to 250 scholars already received Ph.D degree for their research on folk literature and many are still stick on research. Today a good number of magazines are being published in folk languages. This is a good sign, day will come when Page 44
studies on folk life will be accepted as a compulsory subject by each and every university and new posts will be created for teaching jobs. Thus, since Vedic age, stream of folk literature is flowing smoothly. 2.3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ASSAMESE FOLK LITERATURE Folk literature depicts the folk culture of every society. Assamese culture is mainly based on Indian Aryan Culture. But contribution and influence of non Aryan races like Austrik, Dravid, Tibbatan and Burmese tribes on Assamese culture are remarkable. A larger number of Mangolian tribes migrated in this region. Naga, Mikir, Miching, Rabha, Mech, Garo, Chutia, Kachari, Bodo, Maran and Ahom tribes are originally races of Mangolian tribes. Among them, influence of Ahom, a Chinese family, appear on social, political and cultural spheres of Assamese life. Since 1228 to 1826, Assam was administered and ruled by Ahoms. In fact, Assam has been named after Ahom. Assamese is the link language of Assam. Besides Bodo, Rabha, Miching, Karbi, Dimacha, Tiwa, Choutal, Gunda tribes have their own and separate languages and literatures. As for discussion, a little importance has been bestowed to folk literatures of few tribes. Assamese society is administered by the traditional social, religious and cultural customs and plays a vital role in the life of the Assamese common man. We find its clear picture in Assamese folk literature. The vast treasure of Assamese folk literature is found filled with varieties of compositions in diversed from produced by unknown writers. Folk literature, traditionally transmitted orally, is precious and plenty. It is impossible to figure out the forms of folk arts, stand in the hearts of the common people. As mentioned above, Indian scholars entered in the field of folk literature only after 1920s. But, a study on Assamese folk literature was undertaken by Mount Gogari in 1837 and published a book Page 45
on the folk life of the people of Goalpara District, This process of book writings, started since 1837 by missionary personals and British civilians continued till 1920. The names of Dr. Prafulla Chandra Goswami, Leela Gogoi, Dr. Bhupen, Dr. Birinchi Kumar Bhuyan, may be mentioned as pioneer of Assamese folklorists and they did excellent works of collection, editing and publishing. With the establishment of separate folklore Department in the Gauhati University, new, possibilities emerged in this sphere. To promote and popularize it, Assam Academy Review and Folklore Society, Gauhati, published various research papers on folk literature, and put valuable contributions towards it. Apart from this, names of eminent folklorist who have substantially contributed on folklore studies of Assam are - Shri Hem Barua, Dinanath Gogoi, Shri Rajmohan Das, Shri Maheshwar Neog, Nagen Saikia, Shri Harinath Sharma Doloi, Chaganlal Jain, Late Shri Paresh Dev Sharma, Chao Lokeshwar Gogoi, Ramesh Sharma etc. Besides, Dr. Bhupedra Roy Choudhury, in his book Asamia Loksahitya ki Bhoomika presented various forms of Assamese folk literature with detailed and analytical studies. The book present a systematic and overall introduction of Assamese folk literature. This is the one and only book in Hindi on Assamese folk literature. Department of Hindi, Guwahati University is playing a major role in the field of Folk literature. Today, under this university, good numbers of research scholars are being trained in folk literature, sixty numbers of post graduate students are being enrolled every year and folk literature has been introduced as a discipline and a new chapter has been added in academic syllabus. Page 46
Various studies on folk literature prove that it is deeply and strongly rooted in the hearts of the people and in view of carrier orientation its study has a bright future and adequate scope. References : 1. Sidhant Kaumudi : Page-417 (Venketeshwar Press, Mumbai, 1989) Lok Sahitya ki Bhumika Dr. Krishnadev Upadhyay, Page-16 2. Rigveda 10/90/14 Lok Sahitya ki Bhumika Dr. Krishnadev Upadhyay, Page-16 3. Jamini Upanishad e ० 3/28 Lok Sahitya ki Bhumika Dr. Krishnadev Upadhyay, Page-16 4. Mahabharat Adi Parva - 1.84 - Lok Sahitya ki Bhumika Dr. Krishnadev Upadhyay, Page-17 5. Geeta - 3.28 6. Kabir- Acharya Hazari Pra sad Dwebedi page-37 7. Ramcharit Manas Goswami Tulasidas,Sundar kand Page-626 8. ह द स हय क इ तह स आच य र मच4g श <ल, प ठ - ३७ 9. कब र आच य मह व र ;स द वव द, प ठ-३७ 10. म kय अन +ड 11. m यड 12. ड न मवर स ह 13. प. Tय म स दर द स 14. स हय दपण- ड. वTवन थ - ड नMपण वय ल क र, प ठ- 15 15. स हय दपण- ड. वTवन थ - ड नMपण वय ल क र, प ठ- 15 16. स हय दपण- ड. वTवन थ - ड नMपण वय ल क र, प ठ- 15 17. Lok Sahitya ki Bhumika, Dr. Krishnadev Upadhyay, Page-40 Page 47
18. Acharya Hazari Prasad Dwievedi udhrita Bhojpuri Lokgeet, Dr. Krishnadev Upadhyay, Page-1233, Satyendra Abhinandan Granth, Page-390 19. Geeta 20. Mahabharata 21. Hindi Bhakti Sahitya mein Loktatva, Dr. Ravindra, Bhramar, Page-05 22. LoksahityaVijnan,page4-5 Hadouti Hadouti Lokgeet,-- Dr.Chandrasekhar,Bhatt.Page-3 23. Hadauti Lokgeet, Dr. Chandrashekhar Bhatt, Page-03 Hindi-Sahitya Kosh, jnyn Mandal, Kashi Loksahitya ke Siddant aur parmpara,page-12 Dr. Rajsekhan Prasad Chaturvedy. 24. Mahabharat 3.10.2 25. Hindi Sahitya ka Vrihad Itihas, part 16, Dr. Krisnadev Upadhyaya, page-16 26. Asomor Lak Sanskriti Dr. Birinchi Kumar Barua, Page-39 27. Tushar Chattopadhyaya, Lok Sanskriti ke Tatva Roop evam Swarup Sandhan, Kolkata-1985, Page-4 28. Encyclopedia Britannica, 1985, Vol-IV, Page-861 29. Lok Sahitya ki Bhumika, Dr. Krishnadev Upadhyaya, Page-73 30. Dr. P. D. Goswami, Balladev and Tales of Assam-1970, Page-3 31. Kanak Chandra Saharia, Sampadana Atul Chandra Barua, Rachanavali, Page-837 32. Pandit Ramnaresh Tripathi Relia Sawariya More Piya Leke Bhagi, Page - 50 33. Devendra Satyarthi till 1945 ई., collected about three lakh folk songs. 34. Propagated and promoted folk literature through Janpad Kalyani Yojana, Page - 49 35. Propagated literature through Vishal Bharat magazine in 1938, Page - 08 Page 48