Indradhanush (Mauritian magazine)

Indradhanush (Hindi: इंद्रधनुष, meaning Rainbow) is a trilingual, literary, quarterly magazine published in Mauritius.^[2] Established in 1988 by the Indradhanush Sanskritic Parishad (The Rainbow Cultural Circle),^[3] the magazine has been an important platform for literature, history, cultural studies, and multicultural awareness, appearing in Hindi, English, and French.^[4][5]

The Indradhanush Sanskritic Parishad, a cultural movement, was founded in October 1988 at Beau Bassin, Mauritius, through the initiative of Pahlad Ramsurrun and a few of his collaborators. That same year in the month of December, the Parishad began publishing Indradhanush as a quarterly magazine exclusively in Hindi.^[6][7]

Each quarterly issue of the magazine carries an article on a prominent personality of the country as a celebration of their good works and contributions for the betterment of the Mauritian society.^[8] Such a prominent personality can also be from a foreign country so long they have had some form of politico-socio-cultural influence in one way or the other, directly or indirectly, on the Mauritian society.^[9]

From 2000 onwards, Indradhanush became a trilingual publication, adding English and French alongside Hindi. This broadened its reach to a wider readership in Mauritius and among the Mauritian diaspora.^[10]

Indradhanush publishes a wide range of material including:

• Literature – poetry, short stories, critical essays.^[11]
• Folklore and cultural studies – articles on Mauritian heritage and Indo-Mauritian traditions.^[12]
• History and biographies – special issues devoted to national figures and cultural leaders.^[13]

The magazine emphasizes multilingualism and cultural exchange, aiming to bridge literary traditions across the three languages.^[14]

Over the years, Indradhanush has produced thematic issues dedicated to prominent figures in Mauritian and Indian history, including:

• Manilal Doctor, an Indian barrister and political activist in Mauritius.^[15]
• Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam – The “Father of the Nation” of Mauritius.^[16]
• Aunauth Beejadhur, a writer, journalist and politician, and first Governor of the Bank of Mauritius^[17] .
• Robert Edward Hart, a prominent Mauritian poet, author, and cultural figure.^[18]
• Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, an Indian lawyer, activist and politician.^[19]
• Léoville L'Homme, a Mauritian poet, literary critic, journalist, newspaper editor, and librarian.^[20]
• Pundit Atmaram Vishwanath, a newspaper editor, writer, and political activist in Mauritius.^[21]
• Pandit Kashinath Kistoe, a prominent Mauritian Hindu priest and social activist, and educator.^[22]
• Sri Aurobindo, an Indian philosopher, poet, nationalist, and yogi.^[23]

The magazine has featured work by Mauritian poets, writers, and academics, as well as contributions from international scholars. It serves as a platform for writers across linguistic communities in Mauritius.

Indradhanush is regarded as one of the most significant Hindi and trilingual literary publications in Mauritius.^[24] It is referenced in discussions of Hindi journalism in Mauritius, included in the National Bibliography of Mauritius, and preserved in university and research libraries abroad, such as New York University’s SALTOC archives.^[25]

The Chief Editor of Indradhanush is Pahlad Ramsurrun, a Mauritian writer and academic,^[26] assisted by Yvan Martial and Sangeeta Ramsurrun-Nunkoo as Associate Editors.

The magazine is published under the aegis of the Indradhanush Sanskritic Parishad (The rainbow Cultural Circle), Beau-Bassin, Mauritius.

• Mauritian literature
• List of Mauritian writers
• List of magazines in Mauritius
• Pahlad Ramsurrun

• The Hans India article: Promoting Hindi in Mauritius

• The Le Mauricien article: The history of Hindi journalism in Mauritius (V): Indradhanush

• Pahlad Ramsurrun article: About - Indradhanush Magazine