The Sahitya Akademi, in collaboration with Rashtrapati Bhavan, hosted a landmark Literary Conference titled “How Much has Literature Changed?” at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi. The event, inaugurated by President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, brought together eminent writers, poets, and literary luminaries from across India to reflect on the evolution of literature and its enduring impact on society.
President Murmu’s Inspirational Address
In her inaugural speech, President Murmu expressed her deep admiration for writers and described hosting them at Rashtrapati Bhavan as a cherished dream. Recalling Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das’ poetic lines in Odia, she emphasized the profound connection between literature and national identity. Drawing inspiration from the timeless tale of Sita-Rama in Valmiki’s Ramayana, she highlighted how literature serves as a unifying force in society.
Reflecting on personal experiences, President Murmu shared how Fakir Mohan Senapati’s story “Rewati” profoundly influenced her life. She praised Pratibha Ray’s novel Draupadi as a classic rooted in human sensibilities, emphasizing that while literature evolves with time, elements like compassion and emotional depth remain timeless. “Today’s literature is not didactic; it reflects individual experiences,” she remarked.
Union Minister’s Perspective on Society and Literature
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, speaking as the Guest of Honour, opined that instead of questioning how much literature has changed, it is more pertinent to examine societal transformations, as literature mirrors society. He cited Munshi Premchand’s works as examples of literature addressing societal evils. Highlighting the cultural revival under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership, he called the conference a testament to India’s conscious cultural renaissance.
Sahitya Akademi’s Achievements and Vision
Ranjana Chopra, Special Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Culture, lauded Sahitya Akademi’s recent accomplishments, including the publication of a book on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in record time and the organization of international events like Unmesha. She acknowledged the challenges posed by rapid technological and social advancements but stressed the importance of preserving literature’s originality amid these changes.
Poets’ Meet: A Celebration of Literary Diversity
The conference featured a captivating Poets’ Meet, titled “Straight from the Heart”, where poets from diverse Indian languages shared their verses. Dr. K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary of Sahitya Akademi, felicitated the poets with Angvastram, while Dr. Madhav Kaushik recited Urdu couplets and ghazals as the Guest of Honour.
Poets who participated included Ranajit Das (Bengali), Mamang Dai (English), Dileep Jhaveri (Gujarati), Arun Kamal (Hindi), Mahesh Garg (Hindi), Shafi Shauq (Kashmiri), Damayanti Beshra (Santali), and Ravi Subramaniyan (Tamil). Their heartfelt recitations evoked raw emotions, creating a deep connection with the audience.
Sheen Kaaf Nizam, an eminent Urdu poet and scholar, chaired the session, emphasizing that poetry is not merely heard but felt. He concluded the event by reciting some of his popular Urdu ghazals, leaving the audience spellbound.
A Celebration of India’s Literary Legacy
The conference marked a celebration of India’s rich literary diversity and provided a platform for meaningful reflection on the evolving nature of literature. It underscored the enduring legacy of Indian literature while exploring its future trajectory in a rapidly changing world.
