Jain Journal 1982 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 37

The Ardhakathānaka of Banarasidas is a true autobiography with its casual observations and the feelings of an enquiring soul within a society much engaged in pursuits of desire, gain and power. Though engaged in his own field Banarasidas could find moments for contemplation of subjects in the strange ways of life. The tyranny of the officers of the Mughal emperors that has been depicted by him with realism will recall the ironical comment of poet Mukundaram of Bengal who in his brief autobiographical details in Candimangal states that during the rule of Man Singh, the general of Akbar, in Bengal and Orissa, his subjects living within the jurisdiction of the authority of one Mahmud Sarif suffered due to their own sins. Mukundaram tells with disgust how the business and the economy of the nation were put into confusion by the whims of administration and the executives. The history knows that the Bengal poet fled Damunya for food and protection as the author of the Ardhakathānaka fled Jaunpur. Actually Banarasidas, could survive in those days for courage, presence of mind and wisdom. One may say that like the French poet Charles Pierre Baudelaire he describes his feelings with a candour. His work is both scintillating and quiet in appeal, while in truth he was like a poet inwardly beyond all sorrow, sins, bondage and the elements of masquerade, the guise of social hypocrisy. Can he be even described as an Existentialist in terms of the much later philosophy of Satre? Banarasidas was surprisingly knowledgeable adventurer on the dusty roads of Mughal cities and on the unending trace in the shades of forests where he moved with his humour. comprehension and merchandise.
In view of the unique importance of the Ardhakathānaka I feel an obligation to publish some portions from the Introduction of the book to make them available to the readers.
Editor