FEATURES OF THE INDIAN RENAISSANCE( GROWTH OF INDIAN VERNACULAR LITERATURE, Growth of scientific research of discovering India’s Past, Fine arts)

(I)                 GROWTH OF INDIAN VERNACULAR LITERATURE

A significant feature of the renaissance was the rapid growth of India’s vernacular literatures. At first there was the flowering of certain versatile genius and it was followed by the phenomenal growth of the vernacular, literatures Bengal took the lead in this sphere. They formed a kind of seed-bed for the future creative genius, accomplished persons of the critical ability and appreciative temper. All these writers were a prelude to the rise of Rabindranath Tagore who has contributed to all aspects of culture and literature, prose, poetry, drama, novel, essay, short story, music, painting, dancing etc. They introduced new styles, new technique and secularized the themes bin the realm of prose.

As regards the different Indian Vernacular literatures it is a matter of great pride that the works of centuries have been crowd into a few decades in the evolution of modern literatures of India. Before the Renaissance all the Vernacular literatures dealt with religious subjects. Mythological or heroic narratives figures very much. Expression was through poems and songs. The Renaissance provided a strong stimulus to the imaginative and nationalist writings to various languages. All branches of literature were developed considerably. As a result of the Renaissance Indian languages have become both Simpler and harder at the same time for the expression of modern thought both simpler and harder at the same time for expression of modern thought.

Various aspects of vernacular literature were changed and improved considerably. The Indian drama has been completely transformed since the middle of the nineteenth century. It is from the west that they have taken the art of criticism in the realm of literature. It the Indian press has considerably popularized the vernacular literatures, the study of the Western literature has secularized them.

It awakened sense of nationality and has undoubtedly adduce noble and glorious element to the Indian literatures. The novels of famous Bengali writer Bunkum Chandra and the plays of well-known dramatist Dwijiendralal dress in their inspiration from Indian history. The songs iof Bharati, Tagore, works of famous Hindi poets Blharatendu Harischndra and Maithilishanran Gupta and the early growth of these different languages led to an integration of linguistic nationalities in India.

(II)               Growth of scientific research of discovering India’s Past

One very striking feature of the Indian Renaissance is manifested in the scientific spirit of research and discovery. Since the foundation of the Asiatic society of Bengal in 1748, a large number of Europeans as well as Indian scholars have been devoting themselves earnestly to the work of research, excavation, exploration and researches bring to l light India’s glorious past.

The works of art-critics and archaeologists inspired many to cultivate the spirit of research. The Ancient Monument Preservation Act of Lord Curzon provided an impetus to the cause of study and research. Under the guidance of the Archaeological Department of the Government of India and a few other research institutions valuable scientific excavations, which have considerably modified the views of scholars about the ancient history if India, were undertaken on the pre-historic sites like Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Nalanda, Kaushambi, Hastinapur etc. There are some renowned Indians among the luminaries in the realm of archaeological researches.

(III)             Fine arts

The spirit of Renaissance has also produced a finer appreciation and better cultivation of the fine arts such as painting, music, dancing architecture etc. A new era of considerable importance has dawned upon India through the reawakening of her art consciousness. The aesthetic eye of men has been opened to the immense splendor of ancient Indian art.

The renaissance revitalized all spheres of life and reawakened the nation from the slumber of ages. It brought about a marvelous reawakening and wonderful progress in the realms of political ideas, society, religion, literature, philosophy, science and industry.

The reawakening in the social sphere transformed entirely the social life of the country. Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Maharishi Davendranath Tagore, Keshav Chandra Seen, Swami Daioyanand Sarasati Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Swami Vivekananda, Shri Aurobindo, Maharishi Raman and others reinstalled the ancient truths of the country. They remodeled morality and religion. They gave a new divine and spiritual message of India to the materialistic world.