Folk Literature of Rajasthan :

The folk literature of Rajasthan is rich, varied and lively. The folk literature comprises the folk songs or Lok Geet; ballads or Lok Gatha; folktales or Lok Katha; folk plays or Lok Natyas and Lok Subhasit that include proverbs, sayings and idioms. Amongst these the folk songs of Rajasthan are quite popular. These are regarded as the natural expression of human emotions. Songs relating to rituals, worship, jagaran, etc are religious, as distinct from those pertaining to particular occasions, events and other aspects of human life. Apart from the folk songs there are other forms of folk literature in Rajasthan too.

Ancient Rajasthani Literature :

Each and every single category denotes a particular style of its own. This factor is evident from its language and content. Though literary current is described as an incessant flow and the division has been made in recognition of the salient characteristics of the literary conventions of a specific age. From 1050 AD, only miscellaneous verses were written in two languages that are Maru-Gurjar. These are mainly Jain works. Apart from the linguistic separation of Maru (Rajasthani) from Gurjar (Gujarati), a line of differentiation between Medieval and Early period was drawn from a literary point of view. In the early period, secular works and works of Jain and Caran styles are also found. But from the beginning of the medieval period, two new currents mainly Akhyan Kavya and devotional poetry appeared and flourished. In this period, dominant note of Jain literature could be found. Moreover, during this period, the Jain religion tended to fall into schisms and because of different interpretations of the canonical texts, different sects came into existence. Jain literature both in terms of prose and poetry also flourished in this period. Another important form of literature also developed and that was 'secular love poetry'. They are allegorical and religious too. Some of them, which developed in Rajasthani form, are still popular amongst the common folk. Caran poetries also developed in the early period.

Medieval Rajasthani Literature :

The history of Rajasthani literature also denotes that the medieval period abounds in copious works in Caran style. And the works in this style that is Caran style continued to gain popularity tremendously after that. Of that period that is the medieval period, 'Vacanika Acaldas Khiciri' was the first important Caran work. The emergence of Goddess Karanji and five Pirs, as popular objects of worship and reverence gave a new momentum to the society and literature of the age, especially to folk literature of Rajasthan. The literature produced from 1450 to 1650 attained new heights of excellence in every sphere. In this period, there have been several brilliant contemporary Carans and other poets, who immortalized the heroes as well as their heroic deeds. Such literary creations come under the historical and heroic of the Caran style. Poets have praised the virtues and heroic efforts of this era. Moreover, in the medieval times, king, tradition and religion were the three important factors that shaped the values of the people of the state of Rajasthan to a huge extent. Sant poetry is considered as the product of some adherence to particular sects of the society and they have been produced by those who were unattached and self willed. Some of the sects believed in incarnation of God but not in idol worship whereas some other sects believed in neither but only in one Almighty. Moreover, some believed in both incarnation and idolatry. Quite naturally, the contents were different and broad. Interestingly, Akhyan Kavyas continued to appear in this period too.

Modern Rajasthani Literature :

The modern period started with the British rule and its impact in the country. Due to its impact and to the wider contact with the outside world through the spread of the Western education, traditional values, science and technology, outlook, ideology as well as traditional values also started rapidly changing. All these changes along with the notes of animosity and acrimony towards the British rule are reflected in the Rajasthani poems of the period near around 1850 AD. They also mark the beginning of the Modern period of the Rajasthani literature. Modern period is also regarded as the transitional phase. In this modern period, Rajasthani poetry found expression in the traditional and new norms. The poems at this period paid homage to the popular historical characters. In the old Rajasthani literature, nature has been described more as a stimulus to emotions than merely as an object of portrayal in her own right. The literary works of this time sung praises of Rajasthan with love and reverence. Patriotic and heroic are the terms that symbolize the literature of Rajasthan at this time. Some essays have also been prepared at this period. Biographies, magazines, literary criticism, recollections, poetic prose, etc. are the other genres that developed in the modern era.

Ballads in Rajasthani Folk Literature :

Ballads in Rajasthan are of various kinds. Whilst some of these are heroic or romantic, others are mythological or historical in character. For instance, Pabui ka Pawada is a heroic gatha or ballad. It is said to be 52 in number and describes the heroism of Rathore Pabuji. The Bhopas are the singers of these Pawada. They also keep a phad or a picture-curtain to illustrate the contents of this song. On the other hand, Bagadawat is a romantic ballad and is about the battles of 24 Bagadawat brothers. They were the sons of Bagh Rav. Nihalde Sultan is also a romantic tale of Sultan and Nihalde. Amba Ras, Draupad Puran, Narasiji ro Mahero are some of the mythological and historical ballads of Rajasthan. Besides these there are Nirved Gathas describing the life and work of famous Nath siddhas, Gopichand and Bharatari, and their detachment, are popular in Rajasthan. These are sung by jogis and have inspired many poets for ages.

Folktales :

Folktales in Rajasthan have attracted many modern writers including Vijaydan Detha and Govind Agrawal. These writers have presented such tales. Giving touches of their own diction, keeping in view brevity, effectiveness and aim, but generally maintaining a narration similar to the prevalent folk style. Detha has been systematically bringing out tales, such as, Batan ri Phulwadi, but his language is often colloquial. The Rajasthani folktales of Govind Agarwal have become popular due to their effectiveness and lucidity. Laksmikumari Cundawat has also retold many lok kathas or folktales.

Folk Plays :

The folk plays from Rajasthan can be broadly classified into Khyal, Swang and Lila. The Khyals are on social, historical, religious or secular subjects. According to craft and style, the Khyals are popular in different regions of Rajasthan. On the other hand, well known Swangs include Khyal Jhamatda, Tuntiya Tuntaki, Jamara Bij, Bahurupiya ki Sawari and others. Lilas are based on mythological episodes. Raslila, Ramlila, Ras Dhari Lila, Sanakadik Lila and Gawari are few examples. Devilal Samar, Mahendra Bhanawat and others have made notable contributions to the study of this form of art.

Lok Subhasit in Rajasthani Folk Literature :

Many proverbs, idioms, riddles, sayings have been compiled scholars like Muralidhar Vyas, A.C. Nahata, N.D. Swami, K.L. Sahal and Govind Agrawal.

                                Rajasthani literature written in various genres starting from 1000 AD. But, it is generally agreed that modern Rajasthani literature began with the works of Surajmal Misrana. His most important works are the Vansa Bhaskara and the Vir Satsai. The Vans Bhaskar contains accounts of the Rajput princes who ruled in what was then Rajputana (at present the state of Rajasthan), during the lifetime of the poet (1872–1952). The Vir Satsai is a collection of hundreds of couplets.

Medieval Rajasthani literature is mostly poetry only and it is more about the heroic poetry mentioning of the great kings and fighters of the Rajasthan. as said by Rabindra Nath Tagore once, "The heroic sentiment which is the essence of every song and couplet of a Rajasthani is peculiar emotion of its own of which, however, the whole country may be proud".

Early Rajasthani literature is created by mostly Charans Earlier Rajasthani was known as Charani(or dingal), which was close to Gujarati.