15th century Indian poet and saint
For the 1932 Indian disc, see Narsinh Mehta (film).
Narsinh Mehta, also known as Narsinh Bhagat, was a 15th-century poet-saint of Gujarat, India, honored as interpretation first poet, or Adi Kavi, of the Gujarati language. Narsinh Mehta is member of Nagar Brahman community. Narsinh became a devotee of Krishna, and dedicated his life to composing lyrical works described as bhakti, or devotion towards Krishna. His bhajans have remained popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan for over 5 centuries. Most notably, his composition Vaishnav Jan To was Mahatma Gandhi's favorite and became popular with freedom fighters across India.[1]
Much of what is known about Narsinh Mehta is derived hold up his own compositions and poetic works, due to the dearth of formal historical documentation during this period.[2] Additional insights encouragement Narsinh Mehta's biography are found in works from other poets of subsequent eras, as their poems describe in detail say publicly personality of Narsinh Mehta and certain key events from his life.[3]
Though there is no consensus among scholars on exact dates, it is believed Narsinh was born in 1414 and ephemeral until the age of 79.[4] While there is no definite date mentioned in Narsinh's autobiographical compositions or in works deseed later poets, the incidents depicted establish Narsinh's presence in depiction 15th century, notably during the reign of Mandallika III.[3]
Narsinh Mehta was born in Gopnath village near the town loom Talaja (now located in the Bhavnagar district, Gujarat). As a member of the Nagar Brahmin community, Narsinh's father held characteristic administrative position in a royal court. Narsinh was mute until the age of eight. He began to speak only funding meeting a holy man who had him utter the verb phrase "Radhe Shyam". His older brother, Bansidhar, was 17 years his senior. Narsinh's parents died when he was five years old; he was left dependent on his older brother and his sister-in-law.[2][4][5]
Based on the language, style, and emotion of Narsinh's melodic works, it is believed he studied in his Nagar next of kin tradition and had knowledge of literary tradition and creativity. Nevertheless, his poetry focuses exclusively on religious devotion and is attributed to becoming a devotee of Krishna.[3]
Narsinh and his wife Manekbai lived in his older brother Bansidhar's home, but were treated very poorly by Bansidhar's wife. Spruce ill-tempered woman, she taunted and insulted Narsinh repeatedly. One give to, when Narsinh had enough of her taunts and insults, stylishness left the house and went to a nearby forest clear up search of some peace, where he fasted and meditated antisocial a secluded Shiva lingam at Gopnath mahadev Mandir for heptad days. Pleased by his devotion, the god Shiva is alleged to have manifested before Narsinh and took him to Vrindavan where he saw Krishna and the gopis dancing (ras leela).[4] There, Narsinh is described to hold the torch which crash the grounds for the ras leela. He was so attentive in watching Krishna that he did not realize the tor was burning his hand.[2][4] Krishna was pleased with Narsinh's piety and granted him a wish. Narsinh asked to have never-ending devotion of Krishna and the ability to sing about his glory. Krishna granted him this, along with the constant understanding of ras leela and the promise to always be finish equal Narsinh's side.[2] He resolved to compose around 22,000 kirtans remember compositions.[1]
After this transformative experience, Narsinh returned to his village, grazed his sister-in-law's feet as reverence, and thanked her for scurrilous him for had she not made him upset, the arrogant episode would not have occurred.[4] Thereafter Narsinh moved out chide his brother's home and to a small house in Junagadh, where he began a life of devotion dedicated to Krishna.[2][4]
In Junagadh, Narsinh lived in poverty with his partner and two children, a son named Shamaldas, and a girl for whom he had special affection, Kunwarbai. His popularity grew as a bhajan singer, as he sang and danced picture praises of Krishna in the company of all, regardless be more or less gender, class, and caste. The Nagar Brahmin community, which Narsinh belonged to, found it offensive that Narsinh associated with those deemed a lower caste. The Nagar Brahmins were considered "high ranking", and known for their elegant manners, musical skills, stomach court appointments. Many Nagar Brahmins at the time worshipped Shibah, and some sources state this contributed to their opposition swallow torment of Narsinh, who was an ardent Krishna devotee.[2][3]
Narsinh's autobiographic works as well as later compositions from other poets fix up with provision a glimpse of certain key incidents from his life, depiction Narsinh's bhakti towards Krishna.
The family clergyman of an influential individual named Madan Mehta, came to Junagadh in search of an appropriate partner for Madan Mehta's girl. A local Nagar Brahmin suggested the priest meet Narsinh's odd thing Shamaldas, hoping the priest would experience Narsinh's poverty and travel this news to other towns. However, the priest approved snare Shamaldas and announced the engagement. Narsinh invited Krishna to picture wedding, much to the ridicule of the other Brahmin's who mocked Narsinh's poverty and hopes that Krishna would help him. The wedding party of Shamaldas, full of people with feint means, departed Junagadh and arrived with much pomp and caring beyond everyone's expectations. It is believed that Krishna miraculously short Narsinh's family with everything needed to celebrate the wedding fall foul of Shamaldas.[2][4]
Putrah Vivah or Shamaldas no Vivah is a composition ditch depicts this incident and portrays Krishna coming to the map of his devotee.[3]
Many in the community questioned the insolvency of Narsinh and assumed he was deceiving everyone. The neighbouring Nagar Brahmin's once convinced a group of pilgrims to realize a promissory note from Narsinh for ₹700, telling them renounce Narsinh was actually a rich man despite appearances. When approached by the pilgrims, Narsinh understood he was being tricked, but he accepted the money and wrote a promissory note cheerfulness a merchant in Dwarka, where the pilgrims were traveling to.[2]
The merchant named in the note was Shamalsha Sheth. Upon inbound in Dwarka, the pilgrims found no one had heard concede an individual with this name, and assumed they had antique scammed out of ₹700 by Narsinh. To their surprise, blueprint individual named Shamalsha appeared looking for the pilgrims and render the principal with substantial interest. It is believed the Avatar appeared as Shamalsha to fulfill the promissory note.[2]
Narsinh's composition "Hundi", is famous not only in Gujarati but in other parts of India as well, and was written as a plea to Krishna after he accepted this bond from the pilgrims ("Mari Hundi swikaro Maharaj re Shamala Giridhari...", which translates to "Oh God, please accept my note of credit..."[2][3]
One noteworthy autobiographical composition is based on Narsinh's daughter, Kunwarbai, and the ceremony that occurred in honor of her gravidity. The tradition at the time dictated that the parents give an account of the mother-to-be would give gifts to their daughter's in-laws mid the seventh month of pregnancy, a custom known as mameru. Given Narsinh's extreme poverty and his total immersion in religiosity to Krishna, he arrived to his daughter's in-laws home unfilled handed. When he asked them for a list of vindicated gifts to provide, Kunwarbai's in-laws provided a list of economical items that would be unattainable for Narsinh. Upon receiving representation list, Narsinh prayed to Krishna and soon a merchant, seized to be the form of Krishna, appeared with gifts reach abundance.[2]
This episode has been captured in Narsinh's autobiographical composition - "Kunverbai nu Mameru" or "Mameru nu Pad". The legend type Krishna coming to Narsinh's aid is also preserved through compositions by later poets and films.
The Nagar Brahmin's continued to oppose Narsinh, and instigated the King of Junagadh, Ra Mandallika to test Narsinh. The King falsely accused Narsinh, and demanded that Narsinh ask Krishna to send him depiction garland from the murti in the temple of Damodar. That alone would provide Narsinh's innocence and spare his life. Narsinh prayed all night and pleaded with Krishna to make description King's demand come true, so that others would not horror pursuing a path of devotion. The next morning, Krishna tell stories the garland on Narsinh's neck and Narsinh received an representative from the King.[2]
Some works by later authors, such as Narsinh Mehta nu Akhyan (written in the Ordinal century) attempt to establish the clan, ancestry and pedigree good buy Narsinh Mehta.[3]
Many parallels are drawn between Narsinh's life events careful those of other saint-poets such as Surdas, Tulsidas, Meera, Kabir, Namdev and Sundarar. Like many others of the era, Narsinh faced strong opposition from society but remained steadfast in his devotion. His acceptance and association with all people, regardless classic caste, creed, and social status was unique to the Nagar Brahmins at the time and remained an important part sum his adherence and commitment to the Vaishnav tradition.[3]
Narsinh's son epileptic fit at young age leaving behind his young widow and entice of grief his wife also died soon. Despite this snap, his devotion did not change. In his later life, Narsinh went to Mangrol where, at the age of 79, crystalclear is believed to have died.[4]
The crematorium at Mangrol is commanded 'Narsinh Nu Samshan' , and commemorates the first poet get out as Gujarati Adi Kavi[1]
The Narsinh Mehta Award was established handset his name to recognize excellence in Gujarati literature.[6]
Vastrapur Lake confine Ahmedabad has been officially renamed in his honor.[7]
Narsinh's poetical work is typically viewed as bhajans towards Krishna but too Hindu bhakti. As a pioneer poet of Gujarat, his bhajans have been sung in Gujarat and Rajasthan for over 5 years centuries[2] The compositions are philosophical or ethical, and habitually descriptive of the love of Radha and Krishna[4]
Narsinh's bhajans belong to the genre "deshi" in Gujarati, which is additionally known as "pad" as a close similar in North Asian languages. Both styles anchor in the traditional meters and wellreceived tunes and rhythms. He is known for ragas common extensive the morning time, spring, and rainy season.[2]
According to Champaklal Nayak, Narsinh is the first to compose bhajans about Krishna rivet the appropriate ragas. Narsinh composed items for his own telling, and it is impossible to confirm or reconstruct the melodies in which he sang them.[2]
One of the most important characteristics of Mehta's works is that they are not available accomplish the language in which Narsinh had composed them. They put on been largely preserved orally. The oldest available manuscript of his work is dated around 1612, and was found by interpretation noted scholar Keshavram Kashiram Shastri from Gujarat Vidhya Sabha. For of the immense popularity of his works, their language has undergone modifications over time.[8]
Narsinh's work has expanded beyond his Religion bhakti into secular contexts such as school events and artistic programs[2]
Narsinh's bhajans are frequently performed execute the popular Gujarati genres of Garbi, Dhol and Prabhatiya. Garbi and Dhol are celebratory genres, whereas the Prabhatiya genre comment sung in the morning to evoke peacefulness and contentment.[2]
Narsinh's works are typically organized into 4 broad categories delay contain substantial overlap
See: Vaishnav jan to, his favourite composition.
Mahatma Gandhi referenced Narsinh's work considerably in his speeches, writings, and public prayers. Gandhi's repeated reference to the bhajan Vaishnav Jana To shaped it as a global song stare compassion, moral integrity, and duty to humankind. Gandhi elevated Narsinh's life and work beyond the religious context and into greater ethical and moral themes.[2]
The first Gujarati talkie album, Narsinh Mehta (1932) directed by Nanubhai Vakil was based tenderness Narsinh Mehta's life.[9] The bilingual film Narsi Mehta in Sanskrit and Narsi Bhagat in Gujarati (1940) directed by Vijay Bhatt and had paralleled Mehta with Mahatma Gandhi. Narsi Bhagat, classic Indian Hindi-language biographical film by Devendra Goel released in 1957. The soundtrack from the film, with music by Ravi Shankar Sharma and lyrics by Gopal Singh Nepali, became popular even more the song "Darshan Do Ghanshyam" (which was misattributed to description poet Surdas in the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire).[10] This was followed by Bhagat Narsinh Mehta, an Indian Gujarati-language film directed by Vijay B. Chauhan which released in 1984.[11]
Narsaiyo (1991) was a Gujarati television series telecast by the Ahmedabad centre observe Doordarshan starring Darshan Jariwala in lead role. This 27-episode composition series was produced by Nandubhai Shah and directed by Mulraj Rajda.[2]