A Journal of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya

his thoughts boldly, without fear.This daring
skill can be found in Sapreji’s critical works.
Sapreji has written a critical appreciation
of Mishra Bandhu’s ‘Lav Kush Charitra’
which was published in ‘Chhatisgarh Mitra’
in five consecutive issues. Shyam Bihari
Mishra was the Deputy Collector of Benaras
and a renowned literatteur as well. It was
highly appreciated by newspapers and
eminent scholars. Sapreji did not approve
of this unrestrained applaud. Therefore
he stated : “If only singing praises of a
literary work fulfills the criteria of a critical
review, there is no need to write much.”
The first objection raised by Sapreji in
his review is that, it is not in conformity
with the interest and mental outlook of
the modern day reader. Driving home his
point forcefully he observes :“ We are
living in the 19th and 20th Century, a
day of modern education and novel ideas,
where the interests of the people are at
great variance from those of the people
of the 16th century. It will just be mere
daring and wishful thinking on the part
of the modern poet if he tries to win
the approbation of his readers by vainly
trying to arouse their interest using the
same tools and methods that were used
earlier by the 16th century poets.’’
Emphasizing his point further, he says,
‘‘What I mean to say, is, before composing
a poem or any subject, the poet must
deliberate over some important aspects
of poetry—country, time, situation,
character. Those, who do so in proper
manner, their poetry becomes popular,
and they succeed in attaining the status
of a national poet.
Citing the example of Valmiki’s
Ramayana, Gemini Puran, Ramashwamegh
etc, he says the poignant episodes have
not been brought to light, while there
are unnecessary and irrelevant digressions.
Pointing out the limitations of its poetic
technique he says that the very essence
of the poem has been diluted, because
of the excessive use of couplets. He has
also pointed out the grammatical and
linguistic errors. Viewed in totality, the
critique is testimony of his disillusioned
poetic wisdom and the boldness to express
the truth with a daring that is unsurpassed.
Many eminent critics of today are vying
with each other to impart greatness to
important literary personages in the
bureaucracy- renowned I.A.S. and I.P.S.
officers. In such a scenario, Sapreji’s
impartial and independent judgement
coupled with truthfulness is profoundly
astonishing and highly laudable.
Sapreji’s keen historical perception is
revealed in his critical review of “Bharat
Gaurav Darshan”, translation of an Urdu
book. The translator claims with conviction
that, on the basis of authentic evidence,
India may be placed on a high pedestal
of glory. But, a detailed study of the text
reveals that undue praise has been
showered on it without any authenticity
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