JULY 2009 RICH RAJASTHAN'S FOLK TRADITIONS

Rajasthani has a vast literature written in various genres starting from 1000 AD. Being an Indo-Aryan language, Rajasthani language roots in Vedic Sanskrit and Sauraseni Prakrit. Rajasthani literature is developed from the `Dingal` and virkavya (heroic poetry). Rajasthan's folk literature is rich and varied in its nature and exists in forms of the folk songs, ‘dhalas’ or ‘deshis’ (opening lines of folk-songs or titles of popular songs); ‘vatas’ (folk-tales), famous folklores, witty sayings and proverbs, ‘okhanas’ (proverbial sayings and stories based upon them), riddles and folk-plays known as 'khayals'. A.C. Nahata had appended a list of 123 dhalas.

Medieval virkavya and oral traditions inspired and invigorated Rajasthani prose and poetry. Epic poems and eulogistic couplets consecrated to Pabuji formed an integral part of the Dingal manuscript tradition. The Caran bards had immortalised his self-sacrifice on the battleground in verses like Pabuji ra duha, Pabuji rau chand and Pabuji ko yash varnan.

Some of the poets to verse traditional vein are Hiralal Shastri, Manikyalal Varma, and Jayanarayana Vyasa, Bakhtavara Ji, Ganeshilal Vyasa, Murlidhara Vyasa, Satyaprakasha Jodhi, Kaviraja Muraridana, Kanhaya Lal Sethiya, Manohar Sharma, Shrimanta Kumara, Naraina Singha Bhati and Megharaja Mukula.
Folk-songs may be: (a) songs used by household ladies for ceremonial and religious occasions - Songs like ‘Ghumara’ and ‘luhara’ are sung on the occasions of Gangaur and Holi festivals. Harajasas are religious and spiritual songs common among the masses, (b) songs sung by professionals in elite circles, (c) songs of street-singers, (d) religious and spiritual songs, (e) ballads and (f) tribal songs. Collections of songs under the first category form the biggest part of this literature.

The professionals, have been singing classical folk-songs, or ‘mahafali gita’ (songs for high class gatherings) to entertain feudal lords and the elite. Gadha gita (Songs of the forts) has been by G.L. Dangi is one such collection. The ballads like Bagadawata Devanarayana mahagatha by Laxmi Kumari Chundawata depicts the struggle between the Rajputas and the Gujaras during the 14th century. Another ballad Pabuji ra pawada, concerning the Rajputa, is sung by the singers of ‘Bhopa’ class. Minor compositions of folk nature concerning certain historical characters are also sung by the different classes of singers, such as Bhopas, Jogis. Batan ri phulawadi contains over 1000 folk-tales retold by Vijayadena Detha and Rajasthan ki lok gathayen is written by Ambikesha Sharma. Folk-tales are also related to religious ceremonies and fasts.

A lot of work has been done on proverbs and idioms too. Popular anecdotes have assumed the form of folk literature in prose and poetry. There are books on proverbs such as Rajasthani Kahavatan, by N.D. Swami and M.D. Vyas, Mewada ki Kahavaten, by LL Joshi, Malavi Kahavaten, by RL Metha, Bhilon ki Kahavaten,  by  KL Sahal. A number of these proverbs are based on real or imaginary stories.‘Khyalas’ are another variety which, have gained popularity as folk literature. Riddles, lullabies, dialogues, etc. are other forms of folk literature.

During the pre-Independence scenario, poets in Rajasthani literature had resurrected the Dingal virkavya to vent out and publicise their anti-British sentiments. This Rajasthani tradition continues to influence even the writers experimenting with modern traditions of writing represented in the novels, short stories, and plays. Among the novelists are Shiva Chandra Bharatiya, Shri Lal Jodhi, Vijay Dan Detha, and Yadavendra Sharma Chandra. Short-story writers are Rani Lakshmi Kumari Chundawat, Narasingh Rajapurohit, Dinadayal Ojha, and Purushottama Lal Menariya. Vijay Dan Detha and Rani Lakshmi Kumari Chundawat are also known for their retelling of Rajasthani folktales. Vijay Dan Detha. is a progressive prose writer, who conveys a modern political, ‘reformist awareness’ through his compositions.

Rajasthani literature presents a message of bravery beyond life and death. Poets glorified medieval Rajput heroes and contemporary freedom fighters employing Dingal versifications and bardic idiom.

Some of the famous Rajasthan literature includes:
Prathviraj Raso      -        Chandbardai
Hamir Raso           -        Sarangdev
Bisaldev Raso        -       Narpati Malha
Prathviraj Vijay     -         Jayanak
Bata Ri Fulwari     -         Vijaydan Detha
Narsi ro Mayro     -         Ratun Khati
Bansa Bhaskar      -       Suryamal Mishra
Hamir Mahakavya -         Nayan Chand Suri
Patal Pithal            -       Kanhiyalal Sethi  
Padmavat              -       Malik Mohmad Jaysi

ROLE OF JOURNALISTS

“Journalists cannot march in the parade. They can only stand on the curb and write about what goes past and why," said Roger Mudd, award-winning TV journalist

Journalism is not mere reporting the facts but the task involves the writing, reporting, editing, and communicating of information in the public interest and last but not least a lot of hard work and dedication. Journalist shows the power and process of the media by raising certain big or small (yet important) issues through newspaper, broadcast, and PR writing. Joseph Pulitzer, father of journalism, stressed on the most important qualities of journalistic writing: “Accuracy! Accuracy! Accuracy!” Roger Mudd’s refers to another important quality of journalistic writing: objectivity.

Reporting for a newspaper requires a systematic approach. In addition, all journalistic writing should be clear, concise and colorful. Journalism focuses on accuracy and detail, enlivened by humor as Dave Barry and other writers confess their language sins and steer tomorrow's journalists toward production of professional and pristine prose.

Reporting is a journalist’s word for research, for all the collection of data, for the gathering of facts. Michael Charnley (1966) wrote that reporting is an art and a craft. Its skills can be taught, learned, and developed as a form of artistic expression.

A writer should consider the possibilities of conflict or compatibility between the two elements of good writing and good reporting. Accuracy, objectivity, fairness, and credibility along with the elements of writing make a news story exciting, fun, and compelling to read. As a reporter, you are responsible for the information printed in your story. In print journalism every journalist is given some specialized field, known as beat in journalistic jargon. Beats may be crime, sports, business, government, and environmental beats as well as for general assignments.

There are countless different forms of journalistic expression that are used to achieve different aims. They may be in the form of feature, interview or short and crisp (sharp) commentary. The feature usually hinges on a particularly exciting aspect of the story and often begins right in the middle of the event. A feature may also contain the author's personal opinions, impressions, and thoughts. The interview can be used as the basis for a feature. Avoid boring leads and grab readers in the first paragraph (After all you have to grab the attention and compel them to think over the matter).

If you report about a pep rally and say that everyone had a great time, you are probably what I would like to call, editorialising. You can’t prove that everyone had a great time. Ask yourself, “Would EVERYONE agree that this is true?” Report what you saw and heard, not what you think or feel. Let the readers draw their own conclusions.

Despite the presence of interpretive elements across forms of journalistic writing, little scholarly work has focused on interpretation and analysis from an explicitly ethical perspective.