Gulab Khandelwal


Gulab Khandelwal was an Indian poet who wrote poetry in different forms such as Lyrics, Sonnets, Rubais, Dohas, Odes, Elegies, Lyrical Ballads, Epics, Poetic Dramas, Ghazals, and Masnavi with equal felicity. He even introduced some of these forms into Hindi literature and, apart from Hindi, has also written poetry in Urdu and English. The span of his poetic language touches upon Sanskrit on one end and Urdu on the other. Gulab Khandelwal died in Ohio on 2 July 2017.

Education

Gulab Khandelwal was born in the town of Navalgarh, Rajasthan. He spent his childhood and received his early education at Gaya, Bihar. He received his undergraduate education at the Banaras Hindu University, graduating with a BA in 1943. While in Banaras, his inborn poetic faculty matured when he came into contact with the great luminaries of Hindi Literature. He met poets such as Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala', Maithili Sharan Gupt, Ayodhya Prasad Upadhyay 'Hariaudh', Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and Bedhab Banarasi. He also met critics such as Pt. Ramchandra Shukla, Nand Dulare Bajpai, and Pt. ShriNarayan Chaturvedi. Further early influences include scholars such as Dr. Sampurnanand, Kamlapati Tripathi, and Sitaram Chaturvedi.

Literary career

Gulab Khandelwal started writing poetry at an early age. His first volume of poems was published in 1941 with preface by the famous poet Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala'. Since then, 73 books have been published, including more than 50 volumes of poems and 2 dramatic works in prose, some of which have been digitized by the Digital Library of India. Six of his books have received awards from the Uttar Pradesh government and one has received an award from the Bihar government. Some of his books were selected as textbooks for colleges in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with Alok Vritt used in the intermediate board in Uttar Pradesh, India, since 1976.
Mahakavi Gulab translated some of his poems in English in Gulab Khandelwal: Selected Poems, which was published in 1986 with preface by Dr. Karan Singh, ex-Prince of Kashmir. In recognition of this and his achievements in his literary career, he was awarded honorary citizenship of Baltimore City, USA on 13th July, 1985. Furthermore, both the mayor of the City of Baltimore and the governor of Maryland state declared this day as Hindi Day.
Mahakavi Gulab was the president of Archana, a literary society of Kolkata founded in the 1950s, and presided over many events organized by multiple literary organizations. He was the president of Akhil Bhartiya Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag, for 18 years. He was also the president of Bharati Parishad, an organisation founded by Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya. For 15 years, he was the senior member of the editorial board of Vishwa, a literary magazine by the International Hindi Association. He was also the president of the International Hindi Association.
Mahakavi Gulab lived mostly in the USA, but visited India every year. Till his death, he was active in his literary pursuit. In addition to his involvement in the Indian literary organizations, he also worked extensively with Indian organizations in the United States. He presided on meetings in New York on Vishwa Hindi Sammelan, an organization which strives towards the firm establishment of the Hindi language. At the age of 82, he wrote his auto-biography ज़िन्दगी है कोई किताब नहीं .

Awards

Some of his books were presented awards by Hindi Sansthan, India
  1. Usha – by U.P. Government in 1967
  2. Roop Ki Dhoop – by U.P. Government in 1971
  3. Sau Gulab Khile – by U.P. Government in 1975
  4. Kuchh Aur Gulab – by U.P. Government in 1980
  5. Ahalya – Vishisht Puraskar by U.P. Government in 1980
  6. Har Subah Ek Taza Gulab – Nirala Puraskar by U.P. Government in 1989
  7. Adhunik Kavi-19 – Akhil Bharatiya Granth Puraskar by Bihar Government
  8. Ahalya – Akhil Bharatiya Rambhakti Puraskar by Hanuman Mandir Trust, Kolkata, 1984
Some of his books were selected as textbooks for colleges:
  1. Kach Devyani – Had been in Intermediate in Magadh University, Bihar
  2. Usha – Had been in B.A. in Magadh University, Bihar
  3. Ahalya – Had been subject for dissertation in Awadh University, U.P.
  4. Ahalya – Had been in B.A. in Magadh University, Bihar
  5. Alok-Vritt – Had been in B.A. in Magadh University, Bihar
  6. Alok-Vritt – Is in Intermediate Board in Uttar Pradesh since 1976

    Research

A Dissertation For M.A. was presented by Mukul Khandelwal under the guidance of Shri Shyam Nandan Singh in 1978 from Magadh University and two dissertations were presented under the guidance of Shri Hans Raj Tripathi from Awadh University.
Degree of Ph. D has been awarded to the following persons on his literature:
  1. Sagar University, Madhya Pradesh to Yashvant Singh in 1966
  2. Magadh University, Bihar to Ravindra Roy in 1985
  3. Meerut University, U.P. to Vishnu Prakash Mishra in 1992
  4. Ruhelkhand University, U.P. to Poorti Avasthi in 1994
  5. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule University, U.P. to Sneh Kumari Kanojiya in 2006
  6. Kurukshetra University, Haryana – Under the guidance of Shri Ramapati Singh in 2006
  7. Awadh University, Faizabad, U.P. to Ankita Mishra

    Recognition

US and Canada
  1. Gulab Khandelwal was awarded the Honorary Citizenship of Baltimore City on 13 July 1985 "for his achievements and eminent gifts to our times.” This day was declared as Hindi Day in the entire state by the Governor of Maryland. The Mayor of Baltimore also declared this day as Hindi Day in the City of Baltimore.
  2. He was awarded the Vishisht Samman by the Antar Rashtriya Hindi Samiti, Washington D.C. on 6 December 1986.
  3. On Republic Day celebration of India, 2006, he was honoured and the title of 'Kavi Samrat' was bestowed upon him by the Governor of Maryland, USA.
  4. He has been honoured by Hindi Parishad Toronto and Edmonton and has been honoured by numerous literary and non-literary institutions in India and USA.
  5. The Mahakavi Gulab Khandelwal Smriti Scholarship was hosted by the Institute for South Asia Studies at University of California, Berkeley in 2018, in support of research in Hindi literature. The $2000 award was given to Anirudh Karnick in April 2019.
India
  1. Gulabji was felicitated by Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sahitya Sammelan in 1979.
  2. He was conferred the highest honour of Sahitya Vachaspati, by Akhil Bharatiya Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, under the president-ship of Padma Bhushan Dr. Ramkumar Verma, in 1989.
  3. His two books – Bhakti-Ganga and Tilak Kare Raghubeer, were released by the President of India, honourable Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma in 1997.
  4. He was felicitated jointly by the then Governor of U. P. Shri Vishnu Kant Shastri, Ex Chief Minister of U. P. Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav, Pujya Morari Bapu, and Ex Attorney General Shri Shanti Bhushan in Etawah, U.P, in 2001.

    Music

Gulab Ji's Bhakti Geet and Ghazals are sung by lots of artists in India as well as in USA.

Works

Works of Gulab Khandelwal
Serial NumberName of BookName in HindiWriting PeriodGenre
1Kavitaकविता1939–41Poems & Songs
2Anbindhe Motiअनबिंधे मोती1939–83Poems & Songs
3Chandniचाँदनी1940–44Songs
4Usar Ka Phoolऊसर का फूल1940–50Poems & Songs
5Nupur Bandhe Charanनूपुर बँधे चरण1940–51Poems & Songs
6Seepi Rachit Retसीपी-रचित रेत1941–46Sonnet
7Prem Kalindiप्रेम-कालिन्दी1941–77Songs
8Shabdon Se Pareशब्दों से परे1941–82Poems & Songs
9Adhunik Kavi – 19 Gulab Khandelwalआधुनिक कवि – १९, गुलाब खंडेलवाल1941–84Mixed Genre
10Prem Vinaप्रेम-वीणा1941–96Poems & Songs
11Antah Salilaअन्तःसलिला1941–96Muktak, Poems & Songs
12Desh Virana Haiदेश विराना है1941–97Poems & Songs
13Bali Nirvasबलि-निर्वास1943Mixed Genre
14Bhavon Ka Rajkumarभावों का राजकुमार1943–97Poems & Songs
15Kach Devyaniकच-देवयानी1944–45Small Epic
16Ushaउषा1945–47Epic
17Chandan Ki kalam Shahad Mein Dubo Dubo karचन्दन की कलम शहद में डुबो-डुबोकर1947–83Poems
18Gandhi Bharatiगाँधी भारती1948Sonnet
19Kaljayeeकालजयी1948–2006Muktak, Poems & Songs
20Ahalyaअहल्या1948–50Small Epic
21Bhoolभूल1949Drama
22Aayu Banee Prastavanaआयु बनी प्रस्तावना1949–71Songs
23Meri Urdu Ghazalenमेरी उर्दू ग़ज़लें1950–55Ghazal
24Roop Ki Dhoopरूप की धूप1960–70Rubayi, Muktak & Couplets
25RajRajeshwar Ashokराजराजेश्वर अशोक1961Drama
26Bikhare Phoolबिखरे फूल1961–96Songs
27Mere Bharat Mere Swadeshमेरे भारत, मेरे स्वदेश1962Patriotic Songs & Couplets
28Kumkum Ke Chhinteकुमकुम के छींटे1965–70Poems
29Alok Vrittआलोकवृत्त1968–73Small Epic
30Sau Gulab Khileसौ गुलाब खिले1970–73Ghazal
31Pankhuriyan Gulab Kiपँखुरियाँ गुलाबकी1973–74Ghazal
32Kuchh Aur Gulabकुछ और गुलाब1977–80Ghazal
33Har Subah Ek Taza Gulabहर सुबह एक ताज़ा गुलाब1978–81Ghazal
34Naye Prabhat Ki Angdaiyiyanनये प्रभात की अँगड़ाइयाँ1980–83Poems
35Vyakti Ban Kar Aaव्यक्ति बनकर आ1981–82Poems
36Boonde Jo Moti Ban Gayeeबूँदें जो मोती बन गयीं1981–82Muktak
37Gulab Khandelwal – Selected Poems1983Poems
38Kasturi Kundal Baseकस्तूरी कुंडल बसे1983– 84Muktak
39Ret Par Chamakti Maniyanरेत पर चमकती मणियाँ1983– 84Poems
40Ek Chandrabimb Thahra Huwaएक चन्द्रबिम्ब ठहरा हुआ1983– 84Poems
41Sab Kuchh Krishnarpanamसब कुछ कृष्णार्पणम्‌1983–85Devotional Songs
42Bhakti Gangaभक्ति-गंगा1983–97Devotional Songs
43Hum To Gaa Kar Mukt Huyeहम तो गा कर मुक्त हुये1986–87Songs
44Kitne Jivan Kitni Baarकितने जीवन, कितनी बार1988Songs
45Nao Sindhi Mein Chhodiनाव सिन्धु में छोड़ी1991Songs
46Geet-Vrindavanगीत-वृन्दावन1991Songs
47Sita-Vanvaasसीता-वनवास1991–92Songs
48Tilak Kare Raghuvirतिलक करें रघुबीर1991–92Devotional Songs
49Geet Ratnavaliगीत रत्नावली1991–99Songs
50Karuna Triveniकरुणा-त्रिवेणी 1991–99Songs
51Prit Na Kariyo Koiप्रीत न करियो कोय1994Masnavi
52Nahin Viram Liya Haiनहीं विराम लिया है1998–99Songs
53Tujhe Paya Apne Ko Kho Karतुझे पाया अपने को खोकर1999–2000Songs
54Diya Jag Ko Tujhse Jo Payaदिया जग को तुझसे जो पाया 2000–03Songs
55Mere Geet Tumhara Swar Hoमेरे गीत तुम्हारा स्वर हो2005–06Songs
56Jyon Ki Tyon Dhar Deeni Chadariyaज्यों की त्यों धर दीनी चदरिया2007–08Songs
57Kagaz Ki Naaoकागज की नाव2008Poems & Songs
58Zindagi Hai Koi Kitaab Nahinज़िन्दगी है कोई किताब नहीं2008Autobiography
59The Evening Rose2008–09Poems
60Gulab Granthavali Volume 1 Part 1गुलाब ग्रन्थावली खंड एक, भाग एक1941–2000Poems & Songs
61Gulab Granthavali Volume 1 Part 2गुलाब ग्रन्थावली खंड एक, भाग दो1983–2000Songs
62Gulab Granthavali Volume 2गुलाब ग्रन्थावली खंड दो1983–2000Poems & Songs
63Gulab Granthavali Volume 3गुलाब ग्रन्थावली खंड तीन1941–2000Sonnet, Couplets, Songs & Ghazals
64Gulab Granthavali Volume 4गुलाब ग्रन्थावली खंड चार1941–2000Epic, Small Epic & Masnavi
65Gulab Granthavali Volume 5गुलाब ग्रन्थावली खंड पांच1939–2010Poems, Songs English Poems & Urdu Ghazals
66Gulab Granthavali Volume 6गुलाब ग्रन्थावली खंड छः1949–2011Songs, Drama & English Poems
67Har Moti Me Sagar Lahreहर मोती में सागर लहरे2013-2015
68Hansa To Moti Chugeहंसा तो मोती चुगे
69Guliver Ki Chauthi Yatraगुलिवर की चौथी यात्रा
70Mahakavi Gulab Khandelwal - Chuni Hui Rachnayeमहाकवि गुलाब खंडेलवाल चुनी हुई रचनाएँ
71Mahakavi Gulab Khandelwal - Chuni Hui Rachnaye-2महाकवि गुलाब खंडेलवाल चुनी हुई रचनाएँ -2
72Ravindranath:Hindi Ke Darpan Meरवींद्रनाथ:हिंदी के दर्पण में
73Gulab Khandelwal : Sahityakaro ki Drishti Meगुलाब खंडेलवाल : साहित्यकारों की दृष्टि में