Rajasthani is name given to group of dialects spoken in Rajasthan.
Recognized as a distinct literary language by Sahitya Academy (National Academy of letters) & University Grants Commission (UGC).
Script is Devanagri.
10 vowels and 31 consonants.
Two genders
Fund of folk literature consisting of ballads, songs, proverbs, folk tales and panegyrics.
In 2003 the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly – passed a unanimous resolution to insert recognition of Rajasthani into the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Present Status: Not included.
Reasons for less propagation: lack of comprehensive reference grammar and latest dictionary prepared based on a thorough linguistic survey of Rajasthan.
History & Evolution of Rajasthani language:
Rajasthani is an Indo-Aryan language having its roots in Vedic Sanskrit and Sauraseni Prakrit.
Suaraseni Prakrit – initially language of Mathura region – spread westwards (towards modern Gujarat & Saurashtra) and developed modification and called Gurjara Apabhramsa or Gurjari
From Gurjari developed Maru-Gurjar, a common language of Rajasthan & Gujarat. It started taking definite linguistic pattern from 1050 AD.
From 1450, Rajasthani & Gujarati, started to get differentiate and in subsequent centuries distinct Rajasthani language (Maru-Bhasha) (Dingal) developed.
In eastern region Dingal mixed with Braj-bhasha of Mathura and formed
While Dingal was used for composing songs for war & ceremonies, Pingal was used for composing poems of love & devotional nature.
The use of Dingle & Pingal continued freely for 4 centuries (15th-19th) but from 1818 Rajasthani language declined.
Why? Development of Khadi boli (both language & literature)
Dialects of Rajasthani:
Marwari – most spoken – Marwar – Western rajasthan
Mewari – Mewar region – Udaipur –
Dhundhari – 2nd most spoken -Dhundhar- Jaipur region
Mewati – Mewat Region – North east of Jaipur – Alwar region
Harauti – Bundi, Kota, Tonk – region
Malvi – parts of Jhalawar/Kota – near to Malwa of MP
Bagri – Northeastern Churu
Nimadi – north Nimach and Bhansawar
Bhili – by bhils – Dungarpur
Bagria – Banswara
Other Rajasthani Dialects are Dhatki, Godwari, Gujari, Gurgula, Goaria and Lambadi.
Sahitya Academy Winners for Rajasthani:
2015 Gawaad (Novel) Madhu Acharya ‘Ashawadi’
2014 Sundar Nain Sudha Rampal Singh Rajpurohit
1975 Pagfero (Poetry) Mani Madhukar
1974 Batan Ri Phulwari Vol. X (Folk-tales) Vijaydan Detha
Prominent Linguist of Rajasthani:
Kan Singh Parihar: English, Sanskrit, Hindi, Marwari, Rajasthani, 1940
Anvita Abbi: Bagri, 1993
Christopher Shackle: Bagri and Saraiki, 1976
David Magier: Marwari, 1983
George Abraham Grierson : Almost all the dialects of Rajasthani, 1920
George Macalister: Dhundhari and Shekhawati, 1892
Gopal Parihar: Bagri, 2004–present
John D. Smith: Rajasthani, 1970–present
J. C. Sharma: Gade lohar, Bagri or Bhili, Gojri, 1970–present
Kali Charan Bahl: Rajasthani, 1971–1989
K. C. Agrawal: Shekhawati, 1964
L. P. Tessitori: Rajasthani and Marwari, 1914–16
Lakhan Gusain: all the dialects of Rajasthani, 1990–present
Liudmila Khokhlova: Rajasthani and Marwari, 1990–present
Narottam Das Swami: Rajasthani and Marwari, 1960
Peter E. Hook: Rajasthani and Marwari, 1986
Ram Karan Asopa: Rajasthani and Marwari, 1890–1920
Sita Ram Lalas: Rajasthani language, 1950–1970
Saubhagya Singh Shekhawat Rajasthani, : Rajasthani Shabd-Kosh part I Sanshodhan Parivardhan, 1945–present
