2.1 Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi: His Life and Works
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Chapter-2 A Biographical Sketch of the Story Writers: The chapter deals with the life, date and works of the writers under study, viz. Banamali Bishwal, H.V. Nagrajarao, Radhavallabh Tripathi, Dr. Rabindra Kumar Panda and Prashasya Mitra Shashtri. These stalwarts of Sanskrit literature have contributed immensely to the Sanskrit literature in all different genres. Under their leadership Sanskrit writings have achieved a new direction and maturity. These Sanskrit scholars have made a name for themselves by achieving so many awards in the field of Sanskrit writing. What is special about them is their amazing ability to develop the art of writing in Sanskrit with utmost perfection and felicity. Most of these writers chosen for the present research are the academicians of highest order working at the top universities in India and abroad. Their love for teaching Sanskrit literature has been instrumental in promoting Sanskrit as a discipline of learning among the students. With their knowledge and skills they have been teaching and guiding research students in Sanskrit. Their personal and professional life history makes an interesting reading to the students of Sanskrit literature. 2.1 Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi: his life and works: Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi is one of the senior-most professors of Sanskrit in the country. He is one of the pioneering creative writers in modern Sanskrit writing. He is equally adept at creative and critical writing in both the languages-Sanskrit and Hindi. The sheer volume of his creative writing makes him an outstanding personality in the field of Sanskrit and Hindi literature. Prof. Tripathi has written 163 books, 215 research papers and critical essays. He has also translated more than 30 Sanskrit plays and some classics from Sanskrit into Hindi. He has contributed a number of original stories written in Hindi in renowned Hindi magazines. He is much-admired for his original contributions to the study of Natyashastra and Sahityashastra. This great literary genius was born in Rajgadh in Madhya Pradesh in the year 1949. Dr. Tripathi completed his post graduation in Sanskrit and then went on to do his PhD in the year 1972 and he also received the degree of D.Litt. in 1981 He has worked as Dean, Faculty of Arts in Dr. Harisingh Gour University for nearly two terms; and as 27 the Vice-chancellor for different universities. Most notably he rendered his services as the Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan (Deemed University) at Delhi for five years (2008-13). Dr. Tripathi worked as the Head of the Department of Sanskrit at Dr. H.S. Gour University (Sagar University) from July 1980 to 13th August 2008. He also worked as Visiting Professor at Silpakorn University, Bangkok on deputation by ICCR, New Delhi. He was nominated as Fellow, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla. Prof. Tripathi has travelled to various countries i.e. Holland, Austria, Germany, Thailand, UK, Nepal, Bhutan, USA and other countries on various academic assignments. He has delivered more than a dozen key-note addresses and more than 30 special lectures in International/National seminars etc. He has been the recipient of more than 30 national and international awards for his literary output including the Sahitya Akademi Award for Sanskrit Poetry and Shankar Puraskar of K.K.Birla Trust for his Natyashastravishvakosha. He has organized more than 30 International and National Conferences and Seminars. With his innovative skills, he has also designed new teaching aids and material for instruction, and cultivated new areas of study. 2.2. Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi’s contribution to Sanskrit literature: Dr. Tripathi’s major works are: Vedic World View and Modern Science, Sixty Years of Sanskrit Studies (1950-2010), A New Bibliography of Sanskrit Drama, Natyasastra and the Indian Dramatic Tradition : Vedic Foundations of Indian Sastric Tradition, Vedic volumes. His creative acumen has helped in unearthing and editing the rare manuscripts of yesteryears. Dr. Tripathi has actively engaged in working with the National Mission for Manuscripts and under its auspices his book Natyapradeepa of Saunderamishra was published. Natyapradeepa is an unpublished and ground-breaking work on the fine art of dramatics. The original author Sundaramishra actively explored Sanskrit drama during the sixteenth century presenting fresh explanations on a number of aspects including the theoretical framework of the art of drama writing. The critical of text of Natyapradeepa of Saundaramishra edited by Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi is a gem of Sanskrit dramatic art and his gift to the world of Sanskrit literature. 28 His prominent work; Natyasastra and the Indian Dramatic Tradition, A New Bibliography of Sanskrit Drama is yet another of the classic book written by Dr. Tripathi. This book throws light on the range and variety of Sanskrit drama that have enriched the Sanskrit literary world. What is displayed in plenty in this book is the scholarship of the author and his comprehensive understanding of dramaturgy. His another work ‘Vada in Theory and Practice’ is an excellent example of the author’s erudition. This book focuses on the great Indian practice of ‘Vada’ meaning debates and deliberations. The spirit of debating and questioning is typical of India’s rich and varied philosophical canvas encompassing moral, ethical and religious dimensions of Indian thought system. This book has outstanding merit as a classical work art as it rightly highlights how India’s ancient literary works are woven around the techniques of dialogues and debates. Another gem of Dr. Radhavallabh Tripathi is ‘ Vedic Foundations of Indian Sastric Tradition. This book revolves around the prominence of Vedic literature and its crucial role in the growth of Indian Sastric traditions. The book exhibits in great detail the development of a range of ideas in Sanskrit critical theories in the areas of Vyakarana, Nyaya , Mimamsa, and Alamkarashastra. The book also outlines the constant evolution of these Sastric traditions in its existence since ancient times. Another work on the same theme is ‘Vedic World View and Modern Science’. This work evaluates the relationship between age old Vedic world view with the modern science. The author successfully brings out the parallels in seemingly two dissimilar concepts. ‘ Kamasutra of Vatsyayana’ by Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi provides a wonderful interpretation of this ancient book in the art of lovemaking. Prof. Tripathi critically analyses and documents the aspects related to sex, love and various techniques and festivities prevailing in the ancient times. ‘Smitrekha’ by Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi is an anthology of short stories published in 2011. This book shows versatility of Dr. Tripathi who explores all the different genres of Sanskrit and Hindi literature ranging from dramatic art, literary criticism, poetic art and fiction. ‘ Smitrekha’ consist of six short stories viz. ‘Abhinandanam’, ‘Ekam Rupyakam’ , ‘ Viva’, ‘ Paravartanam’, ‘Karuna’ and 29 ‘Smitrekha’. These stories deal with the day to day issues of modern day life. They also expose the ills of our education system. These stories are based on modern themes and they successfully establish Dr. Radhavallabh Tripathi as a foremost litterateur in Sanskrit. He has also contributed in the field of prose writing. His two works named Upakhyanmalika and Vikramcharitam are the prominent books of prose writings. These books follow the Akhyan style in prose writings. They are much admired for its inevitable style of prose writings. His other major books are: A Bibliography of Modern Sanskrit writings (2002), Svarupaprakasha: A seventeenth century Advaita text (2010) Published by Rashtriya Sanskrit sansthan new Delhi, Natyalalitakalasamgrahah : Quations on Sanskrit Dramaturgy, (2012) Sahitya Academy Delhi, Itihasapuranakhyanasangrahah: A selection of Itihasa and Puranas 1999 Sahitya Academy Delhi Anaychha : A short Novel In Sanskrit, (2011), Abhinavashukasarika A collection of short stories, Mimamsa sholka vartikam (2014) published by Rashtriya Sanskrit sansthan new Delhi, Rashtravani, a book of Sanskrit poetry 2010 published by Rashtriya Sanskrit sansthan New Delhi, Adikavi valmiki Sanskrit text with Hindi translation (2014), Adhunik Sanskrit Sahitya Sandarbh Suchi -- A biblioography Of Modern Sanskrit Writungs (2012) Rashtriya Sanskrit sansthan new Delhi. His latest contribution in the field of sanskrit poetics is AbhinavaKavyalamkararsutram which consist of definitions and characteristics of various forms of poetics. In this book he evaluates elements of poetics from the modern stand points. His another master piece, Abhinava Sanskrit Sahitya ka Itihas, written in Hindi deals with the history of Modern Sanskrit writings. Radhavallabha Tripathi has also enriched the field of poetry by penning the poems of highest quality. His poem collections Sandhanam (1989) and Lahridashakam(1991) are famous for his style and modern concepts. Sandhanam has total 55 poems and majority of the poems deal with the day to day issues of common people. His collection Lahridashakam has ten Laharikavyas depicting various themes. All his Kavyas portray the pictures of contemporary social life as well as the struggle of common man in the society. Many of his poems in the collection launch satire on the harsh reality and the naked truth of the life as well as on the political scenario of our 30 country. The most important and reputed book of his poem is Geetadheevaram . This book establishes poet as the first rate