Matrigitikanjalih
“Mātrigītikāñjalih” is a well-known Gitikavya in modern Sanskrit literature. Authored by Harekrishna Meher, this kavya comprises twenty-five Sanskrit songs of different topics and tastes experienced in human life. These songs are written in very lucid, simple, sweet and graceful words that are capable of touching the core of the hearts of readers. The titles of the songs indicate their themes. The style of composition bears a unique and special feature. There is no verbosity or stiffness in language. Words are imbued with proper feelings and sentiments. Alliteration, grace of diction, Upama, Rupaka and other figures of speech are contextually found in this kavya. The poet has presented these songs with his original innovated new metres and tuning. The songs are marked by original thinking and novel ideas.
The first song “ Vani-Gitika” (Kavi-Janani Tvam) depicts a prayer to Sarasvati, the Goddess of speech, learning and music, to dispel the murk of ignorance and to spread the light of wisdom. Then “Matri-Gitika” (Jayatu Janani), a patriotic song delineates the glorious civilization, natural beauty, cultural harmony, philanthropic attitude and other like aspects of India. In “Visva-Gitika” (Bhagavan Visva-Pavana He) greatness with divine excellence of Supreme Being is portrayed. “Jivana-Gitika” (Jivanam Sundaram) elucidates the brighter aspects of human life. In “Purushottama-Gitika” (Pranamami Tam) Lord Jagannath of Puri is prayed to with reverence and devotion. “Prabodha-Gitika” (Manava Re) is addressed to the human being for self-awareness and self-realisation. Various facets with dignity and the divine power of woman are presented in “Nari-Gitika” (Sa Nari Nirupama). Two love-lyrics “Pranayini-Gitika” (Lila Aham), Song of the Beloved Maiden and “Pranayi-Gitika” (Lila Tvam), Song of the Lover, illustrate various metaphors and imageries from various viewpoints. The omnipresence of Almighty God is presented in “Vibhu-Gitika” (Divyati Bhavato). In “Sisu-Gitika” (Pasya Bhasvaram), the comeliness of God’s creation is observed in the limbs of the delicate baby.
“Nataraja-Gitika” (Tryambakam Yajamahe) forms a prayer to Lord Shiva, the Supreme Dancer. “Sakti-Gitika” (Jaya Jaya Durge) forms a devotional prayer with invocation to Goddess of Power. Greatness of Time, the all-devouring factor of the universe, is presented in “Samaya-Gitika” (Samaya Namaste). Moon, the source of all sweet and subtle arts is addressed in “Kalakara-Gitika ”(Kalakara He). In “Abhijnana-Gitika” (Kathayati Ko Va) philosophical notions of Advaita Vedanta are deliberated upon in view of self-consciousness. Thinking power of subtle and atomic mind is displayed with philosophical perspective in “Siva-Sankalpa-Gitika”(Mano Bhavatu). A synthesis of spiritual and scientific conceptions of Gayatri, the Power of God Savitr is depicted in “Gayatri-Gitika”. Sanskrit language, literature and tradition are elucidated in “Bharata-Bharati-Gitika”. Features of subtle thinking and transcendental vision of the poet are portrayed in “Kavi-Gitika”(Amara-Kavis Tvam). Glory of the Divine Song Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita is maintained in “Gita-Gitika”.
“Sangita-Gitika” (Vidhatuh Pranganam Vitatam Sangitamayam) reveals that all the creation of the Creator is replete with music. Every aspect of nature such as fountain, breeze, ocean, star, cloud, rain-drop, tree along with creeper, and mundane creatures such as human being, birds, animals and insects – all have musical rhythm from birth till death. Philosophical touch with all-pervading Brahma-Nada, Supreme Voice, is established in this song. In “Dasarupa-Gitika”. ten incarnations of God are praised with divine excellence. “Nava-Varsha-Gitika” (Subham Bhavatu Navavarsham) depicts hearty compliments, noble thinking with good deeds, blessings of Nature, pollution-free environment, prosperity, peace and happiness of the world. The last song “Desha-Gitika” describes natural wealth, cultural heritage, national unity and universal fraternity of India.
As observed, the title of this kavya is based on the second song 'Matri-Gitika'. This literary composition has attracted the minds of the lovers of literature and music at large. It is a remarkable contribution to the twentieth century Sanskrit lyric poetry in the sphere of modern Sanskrit literature.
References
- ‘Mātrigītikāñjalih’
- Original Sanskrit Gitikavya with English Translation by Dr. Harekrishna Meher
( मातृगीतिकाञ्जलिः /
हरेकृष्ण-मेहेरः )
Published by : Kalahandi Lekhak Kala Parishad, Bhawanipatna, Orissa, India in the year 1997.
- Review on Sanskrit Kavya “Matrigitikanjalih”. Reviewer : Dr. Naba Kishore Mishra, published in : “Bartika”, April–June 1999,Page 501-508. By : Saraswat Sahitya Sanskrutika Parishad, Dasharathpur, Jajpur, Orissa.
- Sanskrit Review on “Matrigitikanjalih” Kavya. Reviewer : Dr. Suil Kumar Pradhan, published in : “Aranyakam”, September 1999, Page 29-30. By :Sanskrit Prasar Parishad, Maruti Mandir, Prakashpuri, Arrah, Bihar.
- Review on “Matrigitikanjalih”, Reviewer : Dr. Harsh Dev Madhav, published in :“Drik”,Vol. 5, Jan-June 2001, Page 112-113. By : Drig-Bharati, Yojana–3, Jhusi, Allahabad.
- Sanskrit Article “Matrigitikanjalih – Adhunika-Gitikavyam” By : Dr. Harsh Dev Madhav, in pp. 56–57 of his Sanskrit Book “Nakha-Darpanah” (Modern Criticism of Contemporary Sanskrit Literature), Published by : Vani Akademi, Chandkheda, Gujarat, 2008.
- Comments of litterateurs and critics on Sanskrit Giti-kavya 'Matrigitikanjalih' of Harekrishna Meher, under the heading : 'Mitam cha Saaram cha', published in :'Drik', Vol.17, Jan.-June 2007, pp. 129–131. Drig-Bharati, Jhusi, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
- Musical Notation (Swara-Lipi) of Sanskrit Lyric “Nava-Varsha Gitika” (Subham Bhavatu Nava Varsham) from Matrigitikanjalih-Kavya. Music composed by : Pandit H.Harendra Joshi, Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. Published in :'Sangeet', December 1999, Page 13-20. By :Sangeet Karyalaya, Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.
- Original Sanskrit Poems of “Matrigitikanjalih” (Desha-Gitika, Jeevana-Gitika, Sangeeta-Gitika,Vani-Gitika and Navavarsha-Gitika) with life-sketch of poet Harekrishna Meher included in the book “Vimsha-Shatabdi-Sanskrita-Kavyamritam” (National Level Biggest Anthology of Sanskrit Poetry Representing Twentieth Century) Vol.-1, 2000, pp. 821–829.
Compiled & Edited by: Prof. Dr. Abhiraj Rajendra Mishra, Published by : Delhi Sanskrit Akademi, Jhandewalan, Karolbag, New Delhi- 110005.
- ‘Matrigitikanjalih’ Kavya with its author has been referred to and discussed in the article “Arvacheena-Sanskrita-Sahitya-Sarvekshanam (1997-98)" By : Dr. Ramakanta Shukla in ‘Arvacheena Sanskritam’, Vol-24/4, Oct. 2002, Page 27 & 42, Published by : Devavani Parishad, Delhi, 6/Vani Vihar, New Delhi- 110059.
- ‘Jeevana-Gitika’ of 'Matrigitikanjalih' Kavya with its author has been referred to and discussed in the article : “Adhunik Sanskrit Kavyon Ki Drishti Mein Jeevan” By : Dr. Sweta Prajapati in “Drik”, Vol-9, Jan-June 2003, page- 80. Published by : Drig Bharati, 1/32,MIG Avas Vikas Colony,Yojana-3, Jhusi, Allahabad - 211019, Uttar Pradesh.
Research works where "Matrigitikanjalih" Giti-Kavya and its author Harekrishna Meher have been referred and discussed :
- “Adhunik Sanskrit Gitikavya Ka Vikas” (1960 se 1989 tak)
By : Dr. Sanat Kumar Dubey (Research Guide : Dr. Bal Shastri)
Ph.D. Thesis of Sanskrit Deptt in the Year 1992, Sagar University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
- “Sanskrit Lyrics of Orissa in 20th Century”
By : Dr. Sudarshan Panda (Research Guide : Dr. Raghunath Panda)
Ph.D. Thesis of Sanskrit Deptt in 1997, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India.
Links
- http://marketime.blogspot.com/2008/07/among-modern-sanskrit-lyricists.html (Modern Sanskrit Lyricist).
- http://venetiaansell.wordpress.com/2008/06/21/jivan-gitika-dr-harekrishna-meher
- http://venetiaansell.wordpress.com/2008/07/12/sangeeta-geetikaa-dr-harekrishna-meher/#more-107
- http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/46974667&referer=brief_results
- https://books.google.com/books?id=A_JjAAAAMAAJ&q=harekrishna+meher&dq=harekrishna+meher&pgis=1 [University of Michigan)
- https://books.google.com/books?id=0vZ3AAAAIAAJ&dq=editions:0hM4hvuyBIuyK4&pgis=1 [University of California]
- Philosophical Reflections in the Naisadhacarita (Ph.D.Thesis)
- http://friendfeed.com/hindia/f01cefd3 (Sanskrit Poet)
- hi:हरेकृष्ण मेहेर (Sanskrit Writer)
- http://www.museindia.com/focuscontent.asp?issid=34&id=2292 (Tapasvini of Gangadhara Meher)