Non-Fiction forms an important of Modern Rajasthani Literature. Within the realm of non-fiction the pieces of literature which are generally included are essays, articles, literary criticisms and magazines. In fact it can be said that just like various proses and poetry non-fiction had equally enriched Rajasthani Literature.
Essays in Modern Rajasthani Literature
Most of the essays that have appeared in the modern period are descriptive. The earliest form nearer to essay may be seen in Sivchandra Bhartiya`s introductions to his Rajasthani books, Kanak Sundar, Phatka Janjal etc. Brajlal Biyani was a pioneer in writing emotional and elegant essays. His `Mogara Kail`, `Badi Fajar ko Divo`,`Marwadi Boli` etc are among the fine essays. Giriraj Bhanwar is also notable in this respect. Krishnagopal Sarma`s `Ai Utaryoda Ghada` is a personal essay. Kaveri Kant`s `Mandgi Sun Phayda` and Dhanurdhan`s `Bas Mhane Swarajya Hono` are humorous and satirical essays. Manohar Sarma`s satirical essays in his book Rohidai ra Phul are delightful in nature. Other essayists include Laksmikumari Cundawat, Srilal Nathmal Josi and Rawat Saraswat.
Literary Criticism in Modern Rajasthani Literature
Introductions, reviews and, comments had been written by many modern writers. The pioneers include Narottamdas Swami, Agarchand Nahata and Manohar Sarma, followed by Rawat Saraswat, Kisor Kalpanakant, Candradan Caran, Srilal Misra and many others. Such efforts, in fact, answer the description of `articles` rather than essays.
Apart from such articles, virtually no serious attempt has been made in Rajasthani in the field of literary criticism.
Biographies in Modern Rajasthani Literature
Din Dayal Ojha had written, mostly for children, short biographies of many national leaders of modern India in his Des ra Gaurav in 1972; Bharat ra Nirmata in 1972; and Choti Umar Mota Kam, in 1972. The leaders include Swami Dayanand Saraswati Iswarchandra Vidyasagar, Raja Ram Mohan Ray, Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi Sardar Patel, Lala Lajpat Ray, Jawahar Lal Nehru, C.R. Das, and Subhaschandra Bose. Srilal Nathmal Josi`s Apana Bapuji written in1969 was on Mahatma Gandhi and Santa Bhanawat`s Mahavir Olakhan in 1975 was on Lord Mahavir. They are objective in nature and are written in simple language.
Magazines in Modern Rajasthani Literature
Magazines have played a very significant role in the furtherance of Rajasthani literature and language. In the early years of the present century compositions relating mainly to social reforms, mostly by the migrant Rajasthanis, were published in several Hindi magazines such as Vaisyopkarak in Kolkata and Maheswari in Aligarh. Rajasthani writings also found place in the well-known Hindi magazines, like Hans (Allahabad) and Visal Bharat in Kolkata. Likewise, some magazines in Rajasthani, though short-lived, served the cause. They were Marwadi (Ahraadnagar), Marwadi Bhaskar (Sholapur), Marwadi Hitkarak (Dhamangaon), and Agiwan (Beawar). New compositions were published besides old literature in Hindi magazines like Rajasthani and Rajasthan (both from Kolkata). Magazines published by some colleges and schools also brought out such writings.
After Independence many magazines had started in Rajasthan. The Hindi magazines, oriented to humanities, with emphasis on literature, language, history and culture, had also been published. These magazines include Sodh Patrika (Udaipur), Rajasthan Bharati, Vaicariki, Viswambhara in Bikaner, Maru Bharati (Pilani), Parampara in Jodhpur), Varada (Bisau), Maru Sri (Churu), Vani, later named Lok-Sanskriti (Borunda, Jodhpur), Vagva`; Rajasthani Ratnakar (Dungarpur), Hadauti Patrika, later changed to Chidambara (Kota) and Sangh Sakti (Jaipur). Some of them have rendered memorable service and acquired important position.
Thus it can be inferred saying that remarkable and valuable work, particularly in the sphere of modern Rajasthani language and literature, has been done by Rajasthani magazines.
