Rekhta Foundation to launch Rekhta Gujarati Initiative

Rekhta Foundation has announced the launch of Rekhta Gujarati initiative aimed at promoting the heritage and literature of the Gujarati language and culture.

The Rekhta Foundation is now expanding its horizons to encompass Gujarati literature. The initiative – Gujarati website and kids learning app – will be officially launched on 20 March at the Thakorbhai Desai Hall, Law Garden in Ahmedabad.

The website ‘Rekhtagujarati.org’ and ‘Rekhta Kids learning app’ mark the foundation's first step towards nurturing Gujarati language and literature.

Starting from the medieval period to the present, the website hosts a diverse collection of over 4000 poems by more than 800 poets, spanning various forms such as songs, ghazals, chhandas, and acrostics. It also includes contributions from saint literature and folk literature, highlighting the richness and diversity of Gujarati literary tradition. Rekhta Gujarati aims to reach Gujaratis and lovers of Gujarati literature worldwide by promoting Gujarati poetry and prose. It seeks to disseminate active literature through social media and technology, while also advocating for the preservation of the Gujarati language. 

The initiative, which had been in development for the past year and a half, reflects Rekhta Foundation's ongoing efforts to digitize literary works while recognizing the need to preserve Gujarat's cultural heritage beyond texts. To this end, the foundation has embarked on digitizing historic libraries across Gujarat, including B. J. Vidyabhavan in Ahmedabad, A. S. Dahilaxmi Library in Nadiad, and Raychand Deepchand Library in Bharuch. By making these resources freely accessible on the website, Rekhta Gujarati aims to ensure that cultural treasures are safeguarded and shared with audiences worldwide.

Sanjiv Saraf, Founder of Rekhta Foundation, remarked, "Gujarati literature shares a deep and inseparable connection with Urdu literature, exemplified by figures like Wali Dakani/Wali Gujarati, who is revered as a canonical figure in both the traditions. We are thankful to all who have helped us carry on this work with great enthusiasm and dedication."

The Gujarati Shubharambh Samaroh will be honored by the presence of esteemed personalities: Pujya Morari Bapu as the Chief Guest, with actor Paresh Rawal & eminent poet Raghuveer Chaudhary as the Guests of Honor, alongside distinguished attendees including Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India, and Sanjiv Saraf, the founder of Rekhta Foundation. The launch of the Gujarati Initiative will be followed by a musical evening by the renowned singer Osman Mir. Gujarati Poet & writer Raeesh Maniar will be the compere of the evening.

“Having successfully established an ecosystem for the preservation and promotion of Urdu and Hindi literature, Rekhta has now begun with its initiatives for Gujarati. I have full faith in Rekhta as well as the refined people of Gujarat that they will welcome these efforts whole-heartedly that marks a new step in Gujarati's cultural journey. I congratulate Rekhta Foundation for their sincere efforts and urge the people to be a part of this literary movement.” Said Tushar Mehta, the Solicitor General of India.

Looking ahead, Rekhta Gujarati plans to expand its offerings to include Gujarati prose, stories, essays, interviews, and more with a focus on leveraging information technology to reach Gujarati language and literature enthusiasts globally.