In memory of a mahakavi

The state bids adieu to Kumaoni poet Padma Shri Girish Tiwari and an activist, who passed away recently:

Anjali Nauriyal

Padma Shri Mahakavi 'Girda', the much admired Kumaoni poet Girish Tiwari, well known for his involvement in the Uttarakhand movement, breathed his last at the Sushila Tewari Hospital on August 22. He was 65 years old and is survived by his wife and son. Doctors revealed that he died of cardiac arrest. As per family sources, he was operated upon for intestinal ulcers.

When news of his demise was reached the people of the state, his admirers and local leaders crowded the hospital to pay their homage to this Jan Kavi who had given a new meaning to the problems of their lives, including their struggle for statehood through his blistering poetry that scorched the souls and tugged at the conscience of many. His poetry was indeed sizzling in its impact and flaming in its inspiration.

As well-known environmental and social activist Sunil Kainthola states, "His pen had the power to rouse and stir many generations of cultural and political activitists in Uttarakhand. It was not just his writings but even his voice and songs that added to the magic of the motivation."

Girda was born in 1942 in Jyonli Village, District Almora. He began writing in Hindi, but later under the influence of Charu Chandra Pande, he startedvwriting in Kumaoni. Kainthola informs that Girda, along with Durgesh Pant, published his first anthology of Kumaoni Poetry in 1969. He allocated the prime position to the common man in his poetry. And this became the strongest point of his poetry. Though most of his writings were in Kumaoni, his concerns surpassed all boundaries and were comprehensive and global at heart.

According to Dr. D.R. Purohit, Director, Centre for Folk Performing Arts and Culture, HNB Central University, Srinagar Garhwal, "A decade ago, speaking on the occasion of Jaideep Sammaan Samaroh at Gopeshwar, Girda had jokingly said, 'Mere liye bhi aisa hi samaroh karna' (Do hold the same quality of celebration to commemorate me). Only if he could see, his final procession in Nainital was the beginning of the kind of celebrations we will hold to perpetuate his memories. Girda's exit has brought a sad realization that howsoever we may love a man, death is inevitable. Girda has passed away after doing so much for the socio-cultural life of Uttarakhand." Holi celebrations, poet's meets, theatre shows or public rallies without his presence will be unthinkable as well as unbearable.