Regional lit largely unexplored in films

Maanzar (The Cat), a Marathi short film directed by Pune-based film-maker, Sumedh Sarojini, will be screened at the third edition of the International Film Festival Ahmedabad (IFFA). Based on a short story by well-known Marathi writer Bharat Saasane, the film was shot in the city. The festival will be held from October 6-9.

Maanzar will be screened along with national award-winning film-maker Ketan Mehta’s Rang Rasiya and Anurag Kashyap’s That Girl in Yellow Boots.

Sarojini tells DNA that his film’s selection reiterates the fact that regional literature has tremendous potential to be explored in the form of films.

Tell us about your journey from a theatre artiste to a film-maker? 
I work with Netex India Pvt Ltd, an e-learning company, but theatre has always been my passion. I used to act in plays and write scripts in college days. I also won awards at the state level. Later, I got involved in making short films such as Shabdkshitij, Office, Autumn Walk, Violin & Cabbage and Temporary Matter.

My script was short listed at Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Tum Bhi’, a script writing competition for short films. While working on short films, I realised it is a strong medium of experimentation and art. You can
explore a lot through this medium and now it can be taken to people through various media, which was a problem earlier.

Full interview here DNA

Cutting near the aching nerve

GA Kulkarni (1923 - 1987) is one of the great Marathi short story writers.

He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1973. Film buffs, too, might know of him as one of his stories, Kairee — meaning raw mango — was made into a movie by Amol Palekar. In the introduction of one of his short story collections, Kulkarni quoted August Strindberg: “Shallow people demand variety—but I have been writing the same story throughout my life, every time trying to cut nearer the aching nerve!” The line sums up Kulkarni’s approach to writing perfectly, for one way or the other, all of his stories revolve around the theme of immutable fate and man’s struggle to make a mark against it.

Through his career, the settings and style of the stories evolved — ranging from rural Maharashtra, to ancient Greek myth, to imaginary fantasy lands. The same over-riding theme, however, comes through in various guises: When characters are confronted by an odd situation, we find them stopping to think over their lives, trying to understand how they got here, whether any of their efforts made any difference in the larger scheme of things.

Full review here Deccan Herald

Indian, French poets to translate each other’s works

For poetry lovers in the city, this weekend will be a rare, multi-lingual treat — three poets from Mumbai, coming together with three from France, reading some of each others’ best contemporary verse in English, French and even Marathi. The French poets Caroline Sagot-Duvaroux, Danielle Memoire and Franck Andre Jamme, have been in the city for the past five days, having their work translated into English and Marathi by three Mumbai bards in intense workshops at the Alliance Francaise.

“It’s important to have poets translate other poets, since they can best convey a poetic musicality and cadence,” said poet Sampurna Chattarji, who, along with Mustansir Dalvi, has translated the French verses into English. These were then further rendered into Marathi by poet Hemant Divate.  

The intense translation workshops as well as the public readings on September 25 and 27 are part of ‘Import/Export’, a translation exchange programme organised by the International Centre of Poetry, Marseille (cipM), a French poetry forum. Every year, the programme promotes inter-cultural translation between poets from Marseille and another city, and for this year’s Mumbai-Marseille edition, cipM has collaborated with the Delhi French Embassy and the PEN All-India Centre.

Full report here Hindustan Times

Reading roots

Bookganga.com aims to revive sales of Indian regional literature and curb piracy of e-books

It was at a preview of Apple’s iPad that US-based IT entrepreneur Mandar Joglekar realised that with the increasing popularity of e-reading across the globe, there was still scope to revive Indian literature. “While preparing a presentation for American Newspaper Association on the next generation’s reading habits, I found it compelling that the older newspapers there were heading towards bankruptcy due to decreasing circulation and ad revenues. There is little doubt that India will soon follow suit and, using this as an advantage, I thought it is time to launch an initiative that will bring dying Indian literature to its patrons,” he explains.

So, on August 30, Joglekar — who runs multiple internet ventures for the NRI audience, like citizen journalism website globalmarathi.com and social networking initiative myvishwa.com — launched bookganga.com. This, Joglekar hopes, will become the amazon.com for Indian literature soon. The website already has on sale close to 7,000 titles across English, Hindi, Marathi and Sanskrit in the e-book as well as hard copy format. The website, within three weeks, is already attending to more than 150 orders from within India and many others from countries like Australia, Peru and the US.

Full report here Indian Express

UoP holds seminar on Marathi literature

“Mystery, suspense and horror stories are also part of literature and can develop a liking for literature among the youth,” said noted writer H M Marathe while inaugurating a seminar on “Marathi Stories: Mystery, Suspense and Horror”. The seminar was organised by the Marathi department of the University of Pune in association with Manovikas Publication, Dhananjay Varshik.

Marathe said it might be the first occasion that a seminar on such a subject has been arranged. “It is, however, the responsibility of readers, authors and researchers to discuss this neglected subject. It will be a great contribution to literature if a critical discussion on this subject could yield some conclusions,” he said.

Full report here Indian Express

Vasundhara Patwardhan passes away

Eminent Marathi writer Vasundhara Patwardhan passed away due to old age in Pune on Sep 3, family sources said. She was 94 and her end came in the early hours.

Patwardhan had written many short stories, essays and radio plays and was recipient of many state awards.

 Although the veteran was formally educated only upto vernacular final but some literature enthusiasts went on to do their Phds on her Marathi literature.

Full report here IBNLive

Yaraana: A bittersweet symphony

It is indeed orchestrated that I succeeded my first brush (R. Raj Rao’s Hostel Room 131 with queer literature, with another: Yaraana, Gay Writing from South Asia, edited by Hoshang Merchant.

A novel exploration of gay sexual identity and men lovestruck by men, Yaraana makes for interesting reading. Only after I put this anthology down, do I discover that Yaraana was first published in 1999. In this extended version, the novel emphasises the timelessness of its collection. Queer themed (and often, not necessarily) pieces in English and translated from Gujarati, and Urdu and Marathi.

Yaraana begins on a comprehensive note, in an introduction by editor Hoshang Merchant. Merchant traces contemporary and past societal notions of everything queer, leaving you to marvel at the expanse of the genre's literature.

Full report here IBNLive

Artistes dance to Marathi poems

The novel experiment of presenting Marathi poems through Indian classical dances left the audience in Vadodara spellbound. It proved to be hit among poetry lovers as the three-hour show at C C Mehta auditorium on Sunday evening. Artistes presented different hues of Marathi poetry to perfection.

Variety of poems right from childhood to romance and separation were picked up for the event named Kavya-Painjan (ankle bells). "It was a success not only in terms of audience's appreciation, but also in the manner that Marathi poems and literature reach people. In fact, all dancers were educated in English medium schools and understood the language less," said Sandip Chitre, who conceptualised the event.

Full report here Times of India 

Noted Marathi poet Narayan Surve dies at 83

One of eminent Marathi poets who was honoured with Padma Shri Narayan Surve passed away in Thane on Monday, August 16 after a brief illness, family sources said. He was 83.

A self-made man, Surve was orphaned soon after his birth. He lived on the streets of Mumbai and earned his daily bread by doing odd jobs. A quick learner, he taught himself to read and write and in 1966 published his first book of poems "Majhe Vidyapeeth" (My University).

Also a social activist, Surve worked in the workers' union movement in Mumbai and supported himself as a school teacher.

In the 1970s, he was often hailed in India and the erstwhile Soviet Union as a proletarian poet. In 1998, he was awarded Padma Shri for excellence in literature and education. Politicians expressed grief on Monday over his demise, saying that Surve's death was a loss to Marathi literature.

Full report here IBNLive

A halo on the hazier ideas of India

Where symbolism & mystery take precedence over matters of strategy

“It was …18 February 1946 ... An English officer in a sparkling white naval uniform arrived...at the Commissariat building [on the Bazaar Gate Street of then Bombay]...'Where are the stairs to the terrace?' he bellowed...someone pointed to the rear of the office...the curious crowd swelled, their eyes on the officer as he clattered up the stairs. Suddenly, there was a crashing sound followed by silence...The English officer lay sprawled at an ungainly angle, his arms and legs still flailing in their final throes...”

The officer's death, says the author of the book under review, “symbolised a new beginning for an old nation.” Or, as he puts it more explicitly, “As the significant events of 18 February 1946 unfolded, [Vinayak Damodar] Savarkar's primary goal of liberating the country was achieved...”

The preface opens with the assertion: “History is always written with an agenda.” The proposition is true. Even if the word “agenda” is avoided for its objectionable associations, history is certainly written from a certain viewpoint and Operation Red Lotus itself provides an example. It is a viewpoint that runs counter to the vision of India's freedom struggle, from 1857 to its fruition, however flawed, on August 15, 1947. Parag Topé makes no secret of the fact that he shares V.D. (or ‘Veer') Savarkar's viewpoint or “agenda:” The Maharashtrian founder of the Hindutva ideology was surely the first to present a non-colonial account of 1857 and his The History of the War of Independence (published in Marathi in 1909) did serve to question the simplified and/or motivated view of the revolt as a Sepoy Mutiny.

Full report here Hindu

Garg in translation

Mridula Garg, a familiar name in the Hindi literary scene, is noted for her emphasis on women centric narratives. Extensively translated into languages including English, Marathi and Japanese, the author has been introduced to the readers of Malayalam fiction with the translation of her award-winning novel ‘Kathgulab’. The work is considered a landmark in the fictional oeuvre of this activist-writer who strongly identifies with the cause of women empowerment and environmental protection.

The translation by noted  scholar and writer K G Balakrishna Pillai and former department head of Hindi at the Kerala University, S Thankamani Amma, has earned the author a commendable readership in the state. The original text, which won Garg the ‘Vagdevi Samman’ in 2003 and the ‘Vayasa Samman’ in 2004, is a work that voices the disquiet of disintegrating patriarchal structure, falling apart to the inevitable female power that is striving to break free.

The story is divided into five parts, four named after the female protagonists - Smita, Mariyan, Narmada and Aseema - whose lives overlap each other’s in the mysterious patterns woven by fate. The translation has successfully carried down the vigour and life of the tale.

Full report here New Indian Express

'Brahmins, Hindutva have ruined Hindu religion'

The most-awaited Marathi novel, Hindu, will be launched on July 15. Chronicled following a 31-year research by the author, Bhalchandra Nemade, the book will dispel many notions propounded by right-wing lobbyists.

“Research shows that the Hindu caste system originally was horizontal and parallel. Over a period of time, the Brahmins made it vertical, dogmatic and hierarchical. Earlier, all persons were equal; only their work differed. The inequality first created by Manusmriti exists even today,” Nemade told DNA.

The domination by the Brahmins and the Hindutva organisations has ruined the Hindu society, he said. “The problem is these Hindutva organisations’ claims are not corroborated. They have misinterpreted the Hindu religion and destroyed the society,” Nemade said.

Full report here DNA

Corporator beats up literature prof

A Marathi literature professor was attacked by a corporator after the politician’s daughter - one of his students - told her father the professor had projected him in bad light during a lecture.

S K Mhaske, who teaches at Birla College, Kalyan, was discussing criminalisation of politics in his FYBA class last Thursday. Perhaps he didn’t realise that one of the students happened to be the daughter of Kalyan corporator Arjun Bhoir.

Mhaske, 54, insists he did not name anyone in his lecture, but Bhoir allegedly told college officials that his daughter said the lecturer painted him a villain.

“Under Marathi literature, which is a vast subject, we were discussing criminalisation of politics,” said the professor. “I did not take any politician’s name, but for some reason Bhoir got upset.”

Full report here Mumbai Mirror

Modi puts his books online

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has put seven books written by him online in E-book format. Modi’s office has carried out this job through famous online document creating and sharing site SCRIBD.Com. Modi is possibly first politician in India to use SCRIBD, which is Youtube of documents.

Modi’s thousans of fans got email from Modi’s office to visit new section of his website that offers online reading of all books written by Modi.

Apart from Gujarati and English, some titles of Modi are available in Marathi, Hindi, Tamil and Kannada too for online reading.

The books that are put online in e-format are:Shree Guruji: Ek Swayamsevak (Gujarati), Shree Guruji: Ek Swayamsevak (Marathi), Setubandh (Hindi), Premtirth (Gujarati), Patraroop ShriGuruji (Gujarati), Apatkalme Gujarat (Hindi), Sangharshma Gujarat (Gujarati), Kelave te kelavan i(Tamil), Education is empowerment (English), Education is empowerment (Kannada), Jyotipoonj (Gujarati).

Full report here Deshpremi

Karnataka Sahitya Academy Honorary Award presented

Renowned Marathi writer Balachandra Namade cautioned that any award or success of a writer should not make him isolated from the common man.

Speaking after presenting the annual Karnataka Sahitya Academy Honorary Award-2009 to five Kannada writers for their outstanding contribution to Kannada literature and annual book awards- 2008 for 17 writers in Udupi on July 2, Namade said even after his success, the writer should be able to share the sufferings of the common man which make him still greater.

He said the height of glory in all fields of Kannada literature such as dance, drama, Yakshagana and folklore took place in the 60s. Several great writers and poets and patriots of Marathi were originated from Karnataka.

Commending the efforts taken by the Karnataka government by honouring the Kannada writers for their achievements through the academy, he said it was a sincere attempt of recognition to adore the writers who were part of the community.

Full report here mangalorean.com

‘Politics Divides Hearts, Literature Bonds Them’

“While politics tends to divide people, literature bonds them together,” opined well known Kannada poet, ‘Nadoja’ awardee, Dr Chennaveera Kanavi. He was speaking at a function organized for handing over honorary awards for the year 2009 and Book Awards for 2008, at M G M College in Udupi on Thursday July 1.

“Expression gets potency and added strength, when it is backed by rich experience. Literature grows with each revolution. Kannada linguistic revolutions like Navodaya, Navya, progressive, dalit, Bandaya etc., are not opposed to each other. They complement each other for the growth of the language and a literature that grows beyond the limits of revolutions, is sublime,” he said.

Well-known Marathi writer, Dr Balachandra Namade, handed over honorary awards to Dr Shashikala Moldi, Dr Gurumurty Pendakoor, Prof Ki Ram Nagaraj, Dr P K Rajshekhar and Dr Moodnakoodu Chinnaswamy.

The Book Awards were handed over to Dr L Hanumantaiah, Dr Na Mogasale, Dr Vinaya, Lakshmipati Kolar, Raghunath C H, Dr T R Anantram, A R Seturamarao, Krishnamurty Biligere, Dr H R Krishnamurty, Dr Veeranna Rajoor, Dr Tamil Selvi, Dr Madhava Peraje and Prof T Yallappa. The other awardees, P S Bhandage, Dr Mogalli Ganesh, Manjunath Adve and Dr Banjagere Jayaprakash remained absent.

Full report here Daijiworld

Marathi-speaking areas have changed with time

A status check of Mumbai’s five predominant Maharashtrian localities reveals that four have undergone a metamorphosis, while the quaint suburb of Dombivli still manages to retain its old charm.

From village to a modern-day township
Vile Parle, one of the oldest Marathi-speaking suburbs in the city, has undergone a major metamorphosis. A quaint suburb known for its small villas and roads covered with greenery is now a big commercial hub. For many old-time Parleites — as the residents like to be called — the journey has been exciting, even though they have been forced to change their lifestyle.

While Vile Parle (East) is largely inhabited by Maharashtrians, Gujaratis are a majority community on the western side.

Historically a Maharashtrian bastion, change here began with the advent of the domestic airport. With the airport came hotels, shopping centres, eateries and traffic. Old villas made way for high-rises, and roads that were once considered wide, became narrow with the rise in the vehiclular population. Vile Parle developed at a feverish pace, but there was no infrastructure upgradation.

Full report here DNA

Hindi poet versifies mill workers' strike

"Kehte hein railway stationo ke bhi bhaag jaagte hein…/ Unke bhi din phirte hein… Jaise Lower Parel ke phire…”

The issue of the mill workers’ strike is usually associated with the Marathi manoos. Political parties cashing in on the vote bank politics around the mill workers always talk of their betterment in the Marathi perspective.

However, this line of thought is being broken by a young Hindi professor. Hubnath Pandey, who teaches Hindi literature at Jogeshwari’s Ismail Yousuf College, has penned a book of poems in Hindi, titled, Lower Parel.

The book has some scintillating poems composed in the backdrop of the 1984 mill workers’ strike. Speaking in fluent Hindi, and equally good Marathi, Pandey explained the idea behind writing a book on a subject often considered as close only to the Marathi community.

Full report here DNA

Marathi publishers brace for challenge of English

Girgaum had a long run as the centre of Marathi publishing from the pre-independence years to the 90s. But large-scale migration of Marathi-speaking residents to distant suburbs like Thane, Kalyan and Ambernath took a toll on the industry.

Today, Marathi book publishers say they face immense challenges. They lament the exodus of their clientele, which has left them with a population that speaks other languages. Besides, the ones who have stayed back prefer English to Marathi. “They don’t buy Marathi books; they don’t speak the language. This impacts buying,” says Vikas Paranjpe of Jyotsna publishers.

The Marathi publishing industry was informal for many years. It was only in the late 90s that a professional bent asserted itself. For a business formerly conducted on faith, with interpersonal relations being more important, concepts like contract, royalty and payments came in much later. “The whole Marathi publishing business… was extremely informal and non-professional. It was only in the late 90s that the professional approach of memoranda of understanding and contracts came into being,” says Naren Parchure of Parchure Prakashan Mandir.

Full report here DNA

Politics of Marathi language is here to stay

In 2010, the politics of Marathi as a language has taken on a new role, as both mainstream and regional parties have repeatedly engaged in an ugly language battle to reaffirm their identity among the masses. But a question that the Marathi manoos wants answered is: how realistic are the concerns of all these politicians?

On Saturday, Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena and MNS engaged in a political one-upmanship, trying to mobilise supporters to show they were the true custodians of Maharashtra. Surprisingly, even the Congress and NCP could not come together to mark the celebrations.

Chief minister Ashok Chavan has decided to constitute a separate ministry for Marathi to address all issues related to the language. Chavan will himself head the department so as to keep it functional. Earlier too, there has been a separate office set up at Mantralaya to look into issues related to Marathi, but the idea hasn’t made any headway.

Full report here DNA