Intercultural Research Institute of the Kansai University of Foreign Studies, located at Hirakata City, Japan, is an autonomous institution for theoretical and empirical research in the humanities and social sciences, especially emphasizing cultural anthropology: a study of mental attitudes, motivations and cultural differences of the people belonging to various societies of the world. Its aim is to foster appreciation of different cultures by undertaking such research projects which may unveil the most cherished values and aspirations and special traits of the people concerned, and at the same time study those cultural differences in particular which are sometimes misunderstood and sometimes overlooked. This is sought by providing a conducive atmosphere and congenial academic facilities to a community of scholars, representing different cultures and disciplines, by deliberating on topics, problems, themes and ideas in seminars, symposia, conferences etc., and publishing its research findings for a more critical understanding of different cultures.
I had seen Dr. Mathur's doctoral dissertation in two volumes, running about 1100 pages, in mid-1972, when this Institute was established. Since then I have often heard of this work highly spoken of and quoted by specialists, and I have been seeking an opportunity to have it published in a form easily accessible to the academic world. Now, I am happy to present it as the first publication of our Institute's Monograph Series.
India is a land of cultural treasures, and alluring as this may be, its variety and diversity compel and challenge scholars to fathom it deeper and comprehend it better. Linguistic variety in India is one of the greatest barriers, and it can only be removed by long, patient and cooperative research work into Indian languages each by each.
Malik Muhammad Jayasi was born in the 9th century Hijri, (Corresponding to 15th century AD.), as the poet himself has put it, "bha avatara mara navasadi" (AK. 4.1). His father Malik Raje Asaraf died when Malik Muhammad was still a child. He had two brothers, Malik Sekha Muzaffar and Sekha Hafiz. His actual name was 'Muhammad', and Malik' was the title. The word Jayasi indicates that he was a resident of Jayasa', a town in Rae Bareli district in Uttar Pradela In the north-east of this township was an area called 'Kancana', where the Malik-family had their house, which is still there in a depleted condition. He was married and had several children. The descendants from his daugh ter's side are said to be still living there and according to hearsay, his seven sons met with an accidental death, by a roof collapse. He was a Sofi by faith. His contemporaries, Saha Mubaraka Bodale and Saha Kamala Sahaba, were his 'Guru'-teachers.
He has been credited with the following works by Saiyada Ale Muhammada: Padamavata, Akharavața, Sakharavata, Campavata, Itara-vata, Mațakāvata, Citravata, Khurvanama, Morainama, Mukaharanama. Mukharanama, Postinama, Holinama and Akhiri Kalama (VSA. p. 31 Introduction).
But some other works, viz. Nainavati Ghanavati, Kahara-nama. Masalanama and Citrarekhe, are also added by some scholars to that list. Of these, Padamāvata, Akharavata, Akhiri Kalama, Kaharanama (or Mahari Baisi or Mukaharānāmā), Masalanama and Citrarekha (or Citravata), are published. Other works are still untraced. One would wish that all the works of this great poet would be available one day and pro-vide an opportunity to undertake a comprehensive study of this poet, both from the literary and linguistic standpoint.
He died at a very ripe old age at Amethi, a town twenty miles from Jayasa, probably in the third quarter of the 16th century A.D. (These biographical facts are based on the works of VSA., RS, KM., and Shirrell, without entering into details and controversies).
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