Children's literature in Gujarati language facts for kids

Children's literature in the Gujarati language of India is super old! It started with traditional folk tales, stories from ancient Hindu texts called Puranas, and famous epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Many fables also came from Sanskrit literature.

After the 1830s, lots of new stories and fables began to appear in Gujarati. These were often adapted or translated from traditional Indian stories and even Western ones. Two amazing leaders, Gijubhai Badheka and Nanabhai Bhatt, helped children's literature grow super fast. It included exciting stories, fun poems, catchy rhymes, and tricky riddles. Many writers and poets created works just for kids. By the mid-1900s, tons of magazines for children were being published. Later, thrilling adventure novels, cool science fiction, and stories for young adults also became popular. Ramanlal Soni and Jivram Joshi were two authors who wrote for kids for over fifty years, creating many stories and characters. While not many plays were written for children, biographies of famous historical figures were very common.

Awesome Children's Stories

Many popular stories in Gujarati folk literature are perfect for children. There's a long history of Purana stories in Indian literature that tell myths, legends, and other traditional tales. Stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchatantra, and Hitopadesha have been told to kids for generations. Also popular are funny stories about Akbar and Birbal, Bhoja and Kalidas, Singhasan Battisi, Baital Pachisi, and Śukasaptati.

How Modern Stories Began

The modern style of children's literature started after education in Gujarati changed to follow Western patterns in 1826, during the time of British Raj. A group called the Native Schools and Books Society in Mumbai (then Bombay) published books for new schools. These books were for extra reading.

At first, many Gujarati children's books were translations or adaptations. In 1826, Bapulal Shastri Pandya translated Aesop's Fables into Gujarati as Aesop Nitikathao. More translations of Aesop's Fables came out in the next few years. Gulliver's Travels was also translated as Gulliverni Musafari. In 1831, two parts of a book called Balamitra were published, starting a new era for children's literature. It had poems, stories, funny anecdotes, and jokes. Ranchhodbhai Dave published Isapnitini Vato in 1859, also based on Aesop's Fables. The Bombay Education Society published four books in 1840: Shishusadbodhmala, Balamitra, Balasathi, and Panch Pakhaon. These books had poems, stories, anecdotes, and biographies for children. Amichandra wrote Batrish Pultini Varta, based on Singhasan Battisi.

Early Original Works and Translations

Initially, many stories were translated from classic Indian literature. Tunki Kahanio (1881) by Anubhai Neelkanth had 118 translated stories. Hargovinddas Kantawala published adapted short stories called Tachukadi So Vaat in six volumes. He also wrote a novel in 1887 about a foolish king's bad rule. He even published Kanyavanchanamala, the first book made just for girls!

Ichchharam Desai translated Evenings at Home as Balako No Anand (1895). He also wrote Ghashiram Kotwal (1903), based on a character from Maratha history. Jaysukhlal Joshipura adapted Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as Alka no Adbhut Pravas. Narayan Hemchandra wrote Mahabharat Ni Vartao (1904), based on events from the epic Mahabharata. Manchharam Ghelaram edited a collection of tales called Murakho, about a fool, which was a popular theme. Sharda Mehta published Puranvarta Sangraha (1906), based on mythological tales from the Puranas. Kalyanrag Joshi published Deshdeshni Vato (1914) and Vigyan ni Vato (1914), about the world and science.

The Rise of Original Stories

Original children's literature grew quickly thanks to Gijubhai Badheka. He worked hard to improve children's education. He started musical literature for children and is known as the "father of children's literature" in Gujarati. He published five books in 1922. Later, he helped start a school called Dakshinamoorti in Bhavnagar, which published many books for kids.

He was joined by Jugatram Dave, Taraben Modak, Mulshankar Bhatt, Vishnu Trivedi, Harbhai Trivedi, Ramnarayan Pathak, and many others. Nanabhai Bhatt published stories based on characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. He also wrote Hindu Dharma ni Akhyayikao for young adults. Mulshankar Bhatt translated science fiction and adventure novels by Jules Verne into Gujarati. He wrote Sahsikoni Shrusti, a simpler version of Jules Verne's The Mysterious Island, and Khajanani Shodhma, a simpler version of Stevenson's Treasure Island. Dakshinamoorti published over 150 children's books!

Natvarlal Malvi and Ishwarlal Vimavala started Gandiv in Surat, which published works for young adults. They published 30 illustrated stories of the popular animal character Bakor Patel, created by Hariprasad Vyas. Other important authors included Kaushiram Pandya, Chhaganlal Pandya, Chimanlal Bhatt, Dhirajlal Shah, Manubhai Jodhani, Dhumketu, and many more. Bholashankar Vyas wrote funny stories for children.

Super Popular Characters

Two major authors who wrote a lot for children for over fifty years were Ramanlal Soni and Jivram Joshi. Ramanlal Soni created Galbo Shiyal and other animal stories. His character Mangalu was very popular with kids. Jivram Joshi created several famous characters like Miya Fuski, Chhel-Chhabo, Chhako-Mako, and Adukiyo-Dadukiyo. Other popular characters included Bogho by Harshad Patel, Vinu by Navalkant Bhavsar, and Venakaka by Juga Pandya.

Science Fiction and Fables

In science fiction, many writers contributed, including Shrikant Trivedi, Harish Nayak, and Nagendra Vijay. Stories based on Panchtantra, Hitopadesha, Akbar-Birbal folk tales, Mulla Nasiruddin, and Tenali Rama are often translated and rewritten by different authors. Famous books from around the world like Tarzan, Hercules, Robinson Crusoe, and Gulliver's Travels are often adapted into Gujarati.

In animal fables, Ramanlal Soni, Vijaygupta Maurya, and Manubhai Jodhani were important writers. Sarkas Doctor Na Romanchak Sahaso by Vijaygupta Maurya is a notable one. Many authors also wrote a large number of fables.

Comics and Novels

Several artists wrote or illustrated stories, including comics and graphic stories. Ravishankar Raval, Somalal Shah, and Abid Surti are some well-known names.

Some novels and novellas were also written for children. Gulabi Aarass Ni Laggi by Harikrishna Pathak and Tilli by Mahendra Trivedi are examples. Many women also contributed to children's literature, such as Usha Upadhyay, Aruna Mistry, and Neeta Ramaiya. Recently, many classic adventure novels from around the world have been translated and published in Gujarati.

Fun Children's Poetry

Poetry for Little Ones

Poetry for very young children includes lullabies, rhymes, and riddles. Halarda (1928) is a collection of lullabies by Jhaverchand Meghani. Keshavlal Parikh published a collection of riddles, Koyada Sangrah (1870). Gijubhai Badheka published a collection of rhymes, Jodakna (1937), chosen from folk literature. Deshalji Parmar was a big contributor of original rhymes, with his collection Galgoato (1930) being very famous.

Poetry for Older Kids

Gujarati children's poetry first started as a way to teach. In 1848, Dalpatram wrote funny children's poetry, inspired by old fables. He edited new Gujarati textbooks and wrote perhaps the first original children's poem in Gujarati. His poems like Andheri Nagari Ne Gandu Raja were simple, funny, and had a message.

In 1866, Navalram Pandya wrote garba songs for children, and one song, Janavarni Jan, became super popular. Nhanalal also wrote poetry for children, and his Ganya Ganay Nahi, Vinya Vinay Nahi is still loved by kids. Jhaverchand Meghani published poetry collections like Veni Na Phool (1931) and Killol (1932). His poem Kaludi Kutari was very popular. His poems were simple and powerful. Tribhuvandas Luhar 'Sundaram' published poetry collections like Rang Rang Vadaliya (1939).

Educators Gijubhai Badheka and Nanabhai Bhatt truly shaped children's literature as a base for education and moral growth. Their scientific ways of teaching and writing for children were highly praised.

After 1950, many famous poets like Rajendra Shah, Balmukund Dave, and Makarand Dave also wrote children's poetry. Suresh Dalal published over a dozen poetry collections. According to Harikrishna Pathak, Dalal brought children's poetry from villages to cities.

Ramesh Parekh is a very active children's poet today. His poems are known for their great tunes, new ideas, and playful style. Hauk (1978) and Dariyo Zullam Zulla are some of his collections. Chandrakant Sheth's Chandaliyani Gadi (1980) shows different song styles and children's feelings. Harikrishna Pathak also captures wonder in his collection Koinu Kaink Khovay Chhe (1981).

Many other poets also contributed, including Umashankar Joshi and Udayan Thakker.

Exciting Children's Plays

Gijubhai Badheka published two books of children's plays. Jugatram Dave wrote Andhala Nu Gadu and Galli Mari Ghrrr Jay. Gandiv magazine published several plays in a series called Chalo Bhajavie (Let's Act). Other notable plays include Rangtoran by Jayanti Dalal and Aa Rotli Kon Khashe? by Shanta Gandhi.

Inspiring Biographies

Gujarati children's literature has many great biographies. Gijubhai Badheka published a series called Kathanatya Granthmala, which included biographies of Shivaji Maharaj, Buddhacharitra, and Harishchandra. Jugatram Dave published Balko Na Gandhiji, focusing on Mahatma Gandhi. Dhirajlal Bhatt published many biographies in his Adarsh Charitavali series. The Sayaji Balgyanmala is a series by various authors about historical figures and patriots. Famous people like Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave, Shivaji, Vivekanand, Ramakrishna, and Lal Bahadur Shastri often appear in biographical stories for children.

Cool Children's Publications

Children's magazines were super important for spreading and making children's literature popular. Satyoday (1862) was the very first children's magazine in Gujarati! Other magazines included Baloday (1877), Balmitra (1879), Balak (1923), Gandiv (1925), Zagmag (1952), Chandamama (1954), Champak (1991), and Tinkle (1991).

Today, all major Gujarati newspapers publish special sections for children every week. These include Zagmag by Gujarat Samachar, Balsandesh by Sandesh, and Bal Bhaskar by Divya Bhaskar.