Acharya Ram Chandra Shukla
Encyclopedia
Ram Chandra Shukla better known as Acharya Shukla, is regarded as the first codifier of the history of Hindi
literature
in a scientific system by efforting great research
with scanty resources and published ‘Hindi Sahitya Ka Itihaas’(1928–29).
This monumental work traces the genesis of Hindi poetry
and prose
since 6th century and its development through Buddhist and Nath schools and medieval contributions of Amir Khusro
, Kabirdas, Ravidas, Tulsidas
, stretching to modern realism of Nirala
and Premchand.
In his assessment of Shukla (Acharya Ramchandra Shukla aur Hindi Alochana) eminent critic Dr. Ram Vilas Sharma
emphasises the fact that the great writer opposed feudal and courtly literature as it did not give a true picture of the life of the common people and contemporary society.
His works of literary criticism include ‘Kavita Kya Hai’, the most widely read essay
explaining poetry and poetics in his outstanding collection ‘Chintamani’, published initially in two volumes as a collection of essays on emotions like anger
and hatred. Recently his scattered and unpublished essays have been found out and published as ‘Chintamani-3’ edited by Namwar Singh and ‘Chintamani-4’ by Kusum Chaturvedi.
To enrich the worldview of Hindi knowing people, Acharya Shukla translated Edwin Arnold
’s The Light of Asia
into ‘Buddha Charit’ (A biography
of Gautam Buddha in Brij Bhasha verse) and German
scholar Ernst Haeckel
’s famous work "The Riddles of Universe" into ‘Vishwa Prapanch’ where he added his own thought provoking preface by comparing its findings with Indian philosophical systems.
These works signify that he did not restrict himself to be the foremost modernizer of Hindi language
, literature and thought but also involved with scientific temper building by translating and updating works of science and history. In developing a scientific methodology to investigate the literary works of several centuries as creations of socio-economic and political conditions of the respective era Acharya Shukla became a pathbreaker.
In his view true literature is not merely an expression of human consciousness as an end in itself but accounts for Lokmangal, a concept defining progress of society where common people are supreme and their sufferings are best understood as purpose for amelioration. The literature, though esthetics must address itself to the pains and woes of downtrodden and the underdogs and work for human emancipation from exploitation of all kinds.
Acharya Ram Chandra Shukla was born on 4 October 1884 to Chandrabali Shukla in a small village Agona, District Basti
during British rule over India. He started his journey in the world of letters with a poem and an article ‘Prachin Bharatiyoin Ka Pahirava’ in Hindi and also by writing in English his first published essay at the age of 17 – ‘What Has India to do’. Keeping in the spirit of anti-imperialism
, a few years after, in the year 1921, he wrote ‘Non-cooperation and Non-mercantile Classes of India’ which was an attempt to look at the struggle of Indian classes in the set up of colonial and semi-feudal economy.
Acharya Shukla taught at Banaras Hindu University
, Varanasi
and chaired its department of Hindi during Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya's period from 1937 until he died. Although not a regular story writer, he also wrote a long Hindi story ‘Gyarah Varsh Ka Samay’ to inspire original writing. His collection of original poems ‘Madhushrota’ includes his adolescent hunger for hills, rocks, water falls, crops and birds and images of his childhood sphere. His famous work Sahitya ka Itihaas was later edited online by a group of eminent Hindi writers and translators, led by Sri Suresh Kumar Mishra "Uratrupt", Hindi Writer and methodologist from Ranga Reddy, Andhra Pradesh. "Hindi Sahitya ka Itihaas" is considered as authentic Hindi literature. Ram Chandra Shukla was married to Savitri Devi and had two sons Keshav Chandra and Gokul Chandra and three daughters Durgavati, Vidhya and Kamla. He was a painter and designed his own house, which was incomplete when he died in 1941.
Acharya Ram Chandra Shukla Sahitya Shodh Sansthan, a research institute, established in 1972 in his name is a centre of literary activities. It is housed in a double storey building and among its notable secretaries are Gyan Datta Chaturvedi and Kusum Chaturvedi. Naya Mandand, a journal of Hindi criticism is periodically published by this institute under the editorship of Kusum Chaturvedi. Doordarshan
the official TV of Government of India commissioned and showed, a documentary done by Mukta on the eve of his birth centenary in 1984. There are two biographies on Acharya Shukla, one authored by Chandra Shekhar
and another by Kusum Chaturvedi and Mukta jointly.
Latest book published by selfhelp Publication from Pune/Mumbai ACHARYA SHUKLA KA KAVI VYAKTITVA Written by Dr. RAKESH KUMAR, ( 23Sept.2011)
accareya
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
in a scientific system by efforting great research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
with scanty resources and published ‘Hindi Sahitya Ka Itihaas’(1928–29).
This monumental work traces the genesis of Hindi poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
and prose
Prose
Prose is the most typical form of written language, applying ordinary grammatical structure and natural flow of speech rather than rhythmic structure...
since 6th century and its development through Buddhist and Nath schools and medieval contributions of Amir Khusro
Amir Khusro
Ab'ul Hasan Yamīn ud-Dīn Khusrow , better known as Amīr Khusrow Dehlawī , was an Indian musician, scholar and poet. He was an iconic figure in the cultural history of the Indian subcontinent...
, Kabirdas, Ravidas, Tulsidas
Tulsidas
Tulsidas , was a Hindu poet-saint, reformer and philosopher renowned for his devotion for the god Rama...
, stretching to modern realism of Nirala
Nirala
Nirala is a Urdu word, its meaning is 'rare'.Nirala was a Pakistani comedian film star of the 1960s. He only appeared in the urdu films made in Pakistan. His very first film was Aur bhi gham hain...
and Premchand.
In his assessment of Shukla (Acharya Ramchandra Shukla aur Hindi Alochana) eminent critic Dr. Ram Vilas Sharma
Ram Vilas Sharma
Ram Vilas Sharma was an eminent progressive literary critic, linguist, poet and thinker. He was born in Unchgaon Sani, Unnao District, Uttar Pradesh....
emphasises the fact that the great writer opposed feudal and courtly literature as it did not give a true picture of the life of the common people and contemporary society.
His works of literary criticism include ‘Kavita Kya Hai’, the most widely read essay
Essay
An essay is a piece of writing which is often written from an author's personal point of view. Essays can consist of a number of elements, including: literary criticism, political manifestos, learned arguments, observations of daily life, recollections, and reflections of the author. The definition...
explaining poetry and poetics in his outstanding collection ‘Chintamani’, published initially in two volumes as a collection of essays on emotions like anger
Anger
Anger is an automatic response to ill treatment. It is the way a person indicates he or she will not tolerate certain types of behaviour. It is a feedback mechanism in which an unpleasant stimulus is met with an unpleasant response....
and hatred. Recently his scattered and unpublished essays have been found out and published as ‘Chintamani-3’ edited by Namwar Singh and ‘Chintamani-4’ by Kusum Chaturvedi.
To enrich the worldview of Hindi knowing people, Acharya Shukla translated Edwin Arnold
Edwin Arnold
Sir Edwin Arnold CSI CIE was an English poet and journalist, who is most known for his work, The Light of Asia.-Biography:...
’s The Light of Asia
The Light of Asia
The Light of Asia, subtitled The Great Renunciation, is a book by Edwin Arnold. The first edition of the book was published in London in July 1879....
into ‘Buddha Charit’ (A biography
Biography
A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. More than a list of basic facts , biography also portrays the subject's experience of those events...
of Gautam Buddha in Brij Bhasha verse) and German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
scholar Ernst Haeckel
Ernst Haeckel
The "European War" became known as "The Great War", and it was not until 1920, in the book "The First World War 1914-1918" by Charles à Court Repington, that the term "First World War" was used as the official name for the conflict.-Research:...
’s famous work "The Riddles of Universe" into ‘Vishwa Prapanch’ where he added his own thought provoking preface by comparing its findings with Indian philosophical systems.
These works signify that he did not restrict himself to be the foremost modernizer of Hindi language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
, literature and thought but also involved with scientific temper building by translating and updating works of science and history. In developing a scientific methodology to investigate the literary works of several centuries as creations of socio-economic and political conditions of the respective era Acharya Shukla became a pathbreaker.
In his view true literature is not merely an expression of human consciousness as an end in itself but accounts for Lokmangal, a concept defining progress of society where common people are supreme and their sufferings are best understood as purpose for amelioration. The literature, though esthetics must address itself to the pains and woes of downtrodden and the underdogs and work for human emancipation from exploitation of all kinds.
Acharya Ram Chandra Shukla was born on 4 October 1884 to Chandrabali Shukla in a small village Agona, District Basti
Basti
Basti district , is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state, India and Basti town is the district headquarters. Basti district is a part of Basti Division.-Origin of name:Basti was originally known as Vaishishthi...
during British rule over India. He started his journey in the world of letters with a poem and an article ‘Prachin Bharatiyoin Ka Pahirava’ in Hindi and also by writing in English his first published essay at the age of 17 – ‘What Has India to do’. Keeping in the spirit of anti-imperialism
Anti-imperialism
Anti-imperialism, strictly speaking, is a term that may be applied to a movement opposed to any form of colonialism or imperialism. Anti-imperialism includes opposition to wars of conquest, particularly of non-contiguous territory or people with a different language or culture; it also includes...
, a few years after, in the year 1921, he wrote ‘Non-cooperation and Non-mercantile Classes of India’ which was an attempt to look at the struggle of Indian classes in the set up of colonial and semi-feudal economy.
Acharya Shukla taught at Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University is a public university located in Varanasi, India and is one of the Central Universities of India. It is the largest residential university in Asia, with over 24,000 students in its campus. BHU was founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya under the Parliamentary...
, Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
and chaired its department of Hindi during Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya's period from 1937 until he died. Although not a regular story writer, he also wrote a long Hindi story ‘Gyarah Varsh Ka Samay’ to inspire original writing. His collection of original poems ‘Madhushrota’ includes his adolescent hunger for hills, rocks, water falls, crops and birds and images of his childhood sphere. His famous work Sahitya ka Itihaas was later edited online by a group of eminent Hindi writers and translators, led by Sri Suresh Kumar Mishra "Uratrupt", Hindi Writer and methodologist from Ranga Reddy, Andhra Pradesh. "Hindi Sahitya ka Itihaas" is considered as authentic Hindi literature. Ram Chandra Shukla was married to Savitri Devi and had two sons Keshav Chandra and Gokul Chandra and three daughters Durgavati, Vidhya and Kamla. He was a painter and designed his own house, which was incomplete when he died in 1941.
Acharya Ram Chandra Shukla Sahitya Shodh Sansthan, a research institute, established in 1972 in his name is a centre of literary activities. It is housed in a double storey building and among its notable secretaries are Gyan Datta Chaturvedi and Kusum Chaturvedi. Naya Mandand, a journal of Hindi criticism is periodically published by this institute under the editorship of Kusum Chaturvedi. Doordarshan
DoorDarshan
Doordarshan is an Indian public service broadcaster, a division of Prasar Bharati. It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in India in terms of the infrastructure of studios and transmitters. Recently, it has also started Digital Terrestrial Transmitters. On September 15, 2009,...
the official TV of Government of India commissioned and showed, a documentary done by Mukta on the eve of his birth centenary in 1984. There are two biographies on Acharya Shukla, one authored by Chandra Shekhar
Chandra Shekhar
Chandra Shekhar Singh was the eighth Prime Minister of India.-Early years:He was born on 1 July 1927 to a Rajput farming family in Ibrahimpatti - Ballia in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Chandra Shekhar Singh did his Master of Arts at Allahabad University. He was known as a firebrand in student politics...
and another by Kusum Chaturvedi and Mukta jointly.
Major works on Ram Chandra Shukla
- Alochak Ram Chandra Shukla by Ganga Prasad Pandey
- Acharya Ram Chandra Shukla aur Hindi Alochana by Dr. Ram Vilas SharmaRam Vilas SharmaRam Vilas Sharma was an eminent progressive literary critic, linguist, poet and thinker. He was born in Unchgaon Sani, Unnao District, Uttar Pradesh....
- Lokjagran Aur Acharya Shukla by Dr. Ram Vilas SharmaRam Vilas SharmaRam Vilas Sharma was an eminent progressive literary critic, linguist, poet and thinker. He was born in Unchgaon Sani, Unnao District, Uttar Pradesh....
- Acharya Ram Chandra Shukla by Professor Joseph Mundasshweri
- Bharatiya Sahitya Samiksha aur Acharya Shukla
- Acharya Ramchandra Shukla aur Acharya Hazari Prasad Dwivedi ki Itihaas Drishtiyon ka Tulnatmak Adhyayan:A research done by Ranjana Sharma under supervision of Prof.Ashok Chakradhar
Latest book published by selfhelp Publication from Pune/Mumbai ACHARYA SHUKLA KA KAVI VYAKTITVA Written by Dr. RAKESH KUMAR, ( 23Sept.2011)
Publications of Acharya Ram Chandra Shukla Sahitya Shodh Sansthan
- Nirala Aur Nazrul Ka Rashtriya Chintan
- Nirvachit Prabandh Sankalan
- Sadi Ke Ant Mein Hindi
- Naya Mandand
accareya
External links
- Sabrang
- Role in Evolution of Hindi
- Personalities
- Acharya Ram Chandra Shukla aur Acharya Hazari Prasad Dwivedi ki Itihaas Drishtiyon ka Tulnatmak Adhyayan
- Language in India
- Issues of the journal of the Acharya Ramchandra Shukla Research Institute
- Sri Ramakrishna Math : The Vedanta Kesari, May 2006
- Indian Authors-Embassy of India to the Lao PDR