Prof Goyal: An illustrious scholar, prolific writer

Balkrishan Sharma

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There was a rich treasure of the 17th to 19th century Hindi literary works available in Gurumukhi script that was waiting to be discovered. The literary genius of these works was unknown to scholars. Also, the Hindi and Punjabi literary world was largely unaware for more than a century of a distinguished and celebrated poet of Haryana, Bhai Santok Singh. He was a scholar poet who composed two monumental epics, namely ‘Guru Nanak Prakash’ and ‘Guru Pratap Suraj’, and wrote a commentary on ‘Japu Ji’ and translated ‘Valmiki Ramayana’ in Braj Bhasha verse. The script of all his works being Gurumukhi, he remained beyond the reach of Hindi scholars. 

Prof Jai Bhagwan Goyal was the first to discover these Gurumukhi manuscripts in 1960s and he was awe stuck by the enchanting genius of this literature. He started rediscovering these works and bringing them before the Hindi and Punjabi world of letters. It was as though a treasure hidden in secret vaults was added to the great literary wealth and cultural heritage of the region. In his book “Gurumukhi Lipimen Hindi Sahitya”, Goyal has elaborately discussed all aspects relating to the theme and art of this poetry. 

Goyal’s book “Mahakavi Santokh Singh aur Unka Kavya” illuminated two voluminous epic poems, consisting of about 60,000 verses. The epics were based on the life and teachings of the 10 Gurus and present a vivid cultural, political and social history of the age. 

Goyal did extensive research on the compositions of Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Arjun Dev, Guru Teg Bahadur and the writings of Guru Gobind Singh. He published a book “Guru Kavya Chintan”, which has an amalgam of devotion and heroism in the poetry of great Sikh gurus and other poets. 

Goyal published 30 books and more than 200 research papers covering a vast range of manuscripts and old publications. The SGPC, Amritsar, has also published four monographs written by Goyal on Bhai Santokh Singh in Hindi, Punjabi and English. Over a lakh copies were printed for free distribution all over the world. 

Several research articles of Goyal on “Heroism in Valmiki Ramayana”, “Mahabharata”, later Sanskrit poetic compositions as also various aspects of medieval and modern Hindi literature incorporated in his books “Sahitya Chintan”, “Sant Sahitya”, “Naye Aayam”; “Madhyayugm Kavya”; “Naya Mulyankan” and some other books, bear the stamp of his scholarly analysis and independent interpretations. 

His book “Ambau Ki Dal Pe Kuke Coyalya” is a collection of his satirical, descriptive, narrative and other type of creative essays, memoirs, character sketches, reportaze and other literary forms. These creative literary pieces reflect his inner-self, his personality, sensibilities, emotions and sentiments, social and cultural concerns, his ideas and ideals. 

Goyal has published several articles on Haryanvi folklore, Hindi literature and Hindi journalism of Haryana. It was he who initiated and patronised the study of Haryana folklore in the seventies. Three books edited by him, namely “Haryana: Puratatva, Itihas, Sanskriti, Sahitya and Lokvarta”; “Haryana Kee Sahitya Sampda”; and “Haryanvi Lok Sahitya” present an authentic and elaborate account of rich historical, cultural, linguistic, literary and folklore tradition of Haryana. 

Goyal’s tireless efforts in highlighting the cultural affinity of the country has been recognised by scholars, writers and distinguished intellectuals form all over the country.  Former President Giani Zail Singh recognised that the study of this literature could be useful for fostering cultural and emotional amity among various communities and could thereby strengthen national integration. 

It was on the basis of his meritorious research work that the University Grant Commission awarded him its highest academic position of ‘Emeritus Fellow’. This fellowship is awarded to a few academics for their distinguished contribution to their field of research. 

Goyal served as the head of department and Dean at Kurukshetra University. He was appointed Chairman of the Haryana School Board after retirement. 

At 87 years of age, Goyal continues his literary and scholarly pursuits of Hindi, Punjabi and Haryani literature. His latest book “Bharatiya Shaitye mein Veer Kavye Prampara aur Swaroop Naye Aayam” is under publication. 

(The writer is former head of Hindi Department, SD College, Panipat)