Chandidas
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Chandidas (Bangla: চন্ডীদাস) (born 1408 CE) refers to (possibly more than one) medieval poet of Bengal. Verse written by at least four different Chandidas have been found, and it is not clear whether they refer to the same person or not. The name Chandidas is usually attributed to Baru Chandidas, who has been more or less indetified as a historical figure born in the 14th century. He was born in Birbhum district of what is now West Bengal. Chandidas wrote the lyrical SrikrishnaKirtan (Songs in praise of Krishna).
[edit] SrikrishnaKirtan
Srikrishnakirtam as it name suggests, narrates the story of Krishna and his companion Radha. The storyline is derived from Srimodbhagabat, the original book in Bhakti based Vaishnavism. However, Baru Chandidas managed to add substantial originality, making it a masterpiece of meieval Bangla literature. He gives the yearning of Radha a distinctly Bengali rendition, and in the process capturing much of the social conditions of the day.
[edit] Humanism in Chandidas
Chandidas is perhaps most well known for his strikingly modern assertion Shobar upor manush shotto tahar upore nai (Above all is human, none else). Later literature has also often eulized Chandidas' love for a Rojokini (a female cloth washer), whether this has any historical basis is not known.
