Taking exception to the ‘Ghar Vapsi’ programme of the Hindutva outfits, senior writer H.S. Shivaprakash efforts to convert the multi-cultural, multi-dimensional country into a country of ‘uni-culture’ is not good for the country.
Delivering keynote address at the inauguration of the third edition of ‘Dharwad Sahitya Sambhrama’, a literary fest modelled on the Jaipur Literary Fest, Mr. Shivaprakash said that in the land that had always nurtured many cultures, efforts were being made to turn into a single culture.
While the Prime Minister talked about introducing wi-fi services in villages, there was the ‘Ghar Vapsi’ programme on the other hand. In the garb of development, uni-culture is being imposed in the country. “How long will this model work, I don’t know. But definitely it is going to create a divide in the society”, he said.
Stagnant
Mr. Shivaprakash pointed out that earlier literature flourished under several pro-people movements like ‘bandaya’ and those led by Dalits and farmers that evoked huge response. However in the present day, literature has become devoid of such mass movement had become stagnant, he said.
He highlighted the need for making literature more active and vibrant, one that provided forum for debate.
Highlighting the need to keep the corporate world and politicians away from the field of literature, Mr. Shivaprakash said that writers should become the torch-bearers for the society and not the flag-bearers of political parties.
Criticising the corporate sector for turning ‘sahitya’ (literature) into a business proposition, Mr. Shivaprakash called on the organisers of literary fests to keep them away.
The field of literature was like a sea and promised opportunities in abundance to everyone who was ready to explore. However, a writer should develop professional qualities and contribute to the literary field on his own, he said. Before concluding, he called on the organisers of Sahitya Sambhrama to innovate further and make it a model for the whole country.
Briefing about the fest, Chairman of the Dharwad Sahitya Sambhrama Turst, Prof. Giraddi Govindraj clarified that the literary fest was being organised not for making monitory profit but for the cause of literature. Only those with literary bent of mind were being invited for the event, he said. Writers Girish Karnad, Channaveera Kanavi, M.M. Kalburgi, retired I.M. Vittalmurthy and others were on the dais.
