Rajaram Jain Explained

Rajaram Jain
Birth Date:February 1, 1929
Occupation:Author, Linguist and Scholar
Honorific Prefix:Professor
Birth Place:Malthone, Madhya Pradesh
Nationality:Indian
Spouse:Prof. Dr. Vidyawati Jain
Children:4

Rajaram Jain (born February 1, 1929) is an Indologist, philologist, author and a scholar of Prakrit, Apabhramsha, Sanskrit, Hindi and Shauraseni Prakrit languages. He is known for his critical studies and Hindi translations of rare, unpublished manuscripts, particularly the work of the 14th -15th century poet Raidhu. Jain's work has contributed to the understanding of Indo-Aryan literature. In 2024, the Government of India honoured Rajaram Jain with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour.[1] [2]

Early life

Rajaram Jain[3] was born on February 1, 1929, in Malthon, Sagar district, Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh, India. Despite economic challenges and the early loss of his parents, he completed his education. He graduated from Banaras Hindu University in 1951, earned a Master's degree in Hindi literature in 1954, and later obtained an Acharya degree in Sanskrit.

Personal life

In 1955, Rajaram Jain married Vidyawati Jain, who was 18 and had a 9th-grade education. Despite her traditional upbringing that limited women's education, she resumed her studies after marriage, eventually earning two M.A. degrees (Hindi and Prakrit with a Gold medal), a Ph.D., and a D.Litt. Rajaram Jain supported her academic and literary pursuits.

Career

Prof. Jain began his academic career in 1955 as a lecturer in the Hindi Department at Government College, Shahdol district, Madhya Pradesh. Driven by a strong passion for ancient Indian literature, he resigned and joined Prakrit Shodh Sansthan, Vaishali (ancient city), Bihar, in 1956. He completed his M.A. in Prakrit language from Bihar University in 1958. Also, he participated in Vaishali excavation program with Dr. Hiralal Jain and Anant Sadashiv Altekar in 1958-1960.

In 1961, he joined the Sanskrit and Prakrit Department at H.D. Jain College, Magadh University, Arrah, Bihar, and later served as Head of the Department. In 1967, he earned his Ph.D. with a critical study of 22 rare unpublished Apabhramsha epics by the poet Raidhu, titled "Raidhu Sahitya ka Alochanatmaka Parishilana"[4] [5] [6] which gained academic recognition. Besides teaching, Jain has been associated with various educational bodies, including University Grants Commission (India), National Council of Educational Research and Training, Moortidevi Awards committee and several universities.

As Hon. Director of D. K. Jain Oriental Research Institute Ara, Bihar (1979–2003), he carried out extensive research and edited/published the research magazine 'JAINA ANTIQUARY'.[7] He also managed a collection of over 7,000 rare manuscripts from around the world.

Jain served as President of the Ara Nagari Pracharini Sabha (1983–2003), promoting Devanagari script and Hindi language; and edited the research journal series 'SHODH'.

In 1991, he became the Director of Shri Kundkund Bharati Prakrit Shodh Sansthan, New Delhi, where he edited and published the research magazine series PRAKRIT VIDYA'.[8] He is currently an associate member of the Centre of Jaina Studies, University of London,[9] and formerly served as the President of Shri Ganesh Varni Sansthan, Varanasi.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Rajaram Jain actively participated in the freedom struggle of India and was imprisoned in the 1940s.

Academic Recognition

In 2018, Rajaram Jain received the prestigious 'Colette Caillat Foundation Award[10] ' from the Institut de France, Paris, for his book 'Sirival Chariu',[11] [12] a critical edition and Hindi translation of the 15th-century Apabhramsha epic by poet Raidhu, highlighting India's trade relations with foreign countries. In 1974, he was honored with the 'Jain Itihas Ratna' award from the Vice-President of India B.D.Jatti for his book 'Vaddhamanacariu[13] ', a significant 12th-century literary and cultural masterpiece. Jain's scholarly pursuits include 'Jony Pahud', a rare deciphering of a 1st-Cen. Prakrit manuscript revealing medico-tantric insights. Additionally, his collaborative work Pasnaha Cariu[14] delves into 12th-century manuscripts, providing the first reference to Delhi as Dhilli and detailing the reign of Tribhuvanpati Tomar, shedding light on Delhi's pre-Sultanate history with critical editions and Hindi translations enriched by exhaustive research and analysis.

Awards, Honours and Recognitions

Rajaram Jain has been honored with awards for his contributions to literature, including:

Civilian honours

National honours

International honours

Publications

Rajaram Jain has authored 40 books and over 250 articles on various aspects of Ancient and medieval life. His works include critical editions, annotated translations and commentaries on rare, unpublished manuscripts:

Critical Edition and Translation of Poet Raidhu's work

A partial list of published works on Raidhu includes:

Other Works

References

  1. News: Press Information Bureau . 2024-01-25 . Padma Awards 2024 announced . Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India . 2024-06-19 .
  2. News: Bajpai . Vivek . 2024-01-27 . 12 personalities who have brought glory to Uttar Pradesh will be honoured . live . 2024-06-20 . Baten UP Ki.
  3. News: Sinha . Meenakshi . 2024-01-29 . 95-yr-old gets Padma Shri for research on ancient scripts . live . 2024-06-19 . The Times of India.
  4. Granoff, Phyllis (2006). "Mountains of Eternity: Raidhū and the Colossal Jinas of Gwalior". P.2, 3, 20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140422145713/http://www.fupress.net/index.php/rss/article/viewFile/2455/2290
  5. Book: Jaina, Rājārāma . Raidhū sāhitya kā ālocanātmaka-pariśīlana . 1974 . Prākr̥ta, Jainaśāstra, aura Ahiṃsā Śodha-Saṃsthāna . hindi.
  6. CLERCQ, EVA DE (2010). ON JAINA APABHRAṂŚA PRAŚASTIS P. 6, 7
  7. 1999 . Jaina Antiquary . Devkumar Jain Oriental Research Institute.
  8. 2001 . Prakrit Vidya . Kundkund Bharti Trust.
  9. April 2023 . CoJS Newsletter . SOAS, University of London . 18 . 2.
  10. Web site: Palmarès 2018.
  11. Web site: Jain . Rajaram . 2018 . Institut de France's Colette Caillat Award for Sirival Cariu Pg4 . ACADÉMIE DES INSCRIPTIONS ET BELLES-LETTRES.
  12. Web site: Dec 2024 . Raja Ram Jain Sirival Cariu Pg1 . 15 June 2024 . PARCOURIR LES COLLECTIONS.
  13. Web site: Jain . Rajaram . 2010 . Vaḍḍhamaṇacariu . 16 June 2024 . Google Books.
  14. Book: Jain, Rajaram . Pāsaṇāhacariu . Bhartiya jnanpith . 2006 . 9788126312009.
  15. Web site: 9 May 2024 . The Gazette of India, Padma awards, Pg 9 . Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India.
  16. News: CNBCTV18 . 26 January 2024 . Padma awards 2024: Here's the full list of 132 awardees . live . 23 June 2024 . CNBC TV18.
  17. Web site: February 2001 . President's award for Rajaram Jain P1 . Jain Ahimsa Times.
  18. Web site: Dr. Raja Ram Jain .
  19. Web site: Convocation | Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University .
  20. Web site: December 2018 . Institut de France's award to Rajaram Jain for book Sirival Cariu P.4 . ACADÉMIE DES INSCRIPTIONS ET BELLES-LETTRES.
  21. April 2023 . CoJS Newsletter . SOAS, University of London . 18 . 33.
  22. News: Maramkal . MB . 2010 . Justice Ajith Kabbin presented International Award . live . 23 June 2024 . The Times of India.
  23. Web site: Ahimsa Foundation, India . www.jainsamaj.org.
  24. Book: Raidhū-granthāvalī: Pāsaṇāhacariu, Dhaṇṇakumāracariu, Sukosalacariu . 1975 . Jaina-Saṃskr̥ti-Saṃrakshaka-saṅgha .
  25. Web site: DE CLERCQ . EVA . 2010 . ON JAINA APABHRAṂŚA PRAŚASTIS, Ref. Raidhu Granthavali P100 . Academia.
  26. Book: Bajpai, K.D. . 2006 . History of Gopāchala, Ref. Raidhu Granthavali P100 . Bharatiya Jnanpith . 978-81-263-1155-2 .

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