The suggestion that writers channel their thoughts only towards issues of social relevance (“Writers must serve a social purpose,” Jan. 28) is akin to directing a river to follow a single course. Art cannot be confined to a purpose. Although art and literature have served a social purpose, and even brought about major revolutions across the world, the contribution made by art for art's sake cannot be ignored.
Even active romanticism has brought social issues to the fore through satire.
Balram Aneja,
New Delhi
Markandey Katju has classified Tagore in the category of writers who created art for art's sake and Sarat Chandra as one who wrote for achieving a social purpose. Tagore's writings such as Gora and Char Adhyaya , and short stories such as Streer Patra strongly reflect an underlying socio-political and emotional theme. Sarat Chandra's Charitraheen , Shesh Prasna , and Srikanta portray emotional, psychological, intellectual themes. Even Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice and Othello , among others, reflect the social thinking of his times. Dividing art into two ‘categories' is an oversimplification of a complex phenomenon.
M. Mandal,
Hyderabad
I feel the article reflects Justice Katju's genuine concern for literature and its purpose. But his argument does not take into account all angles from which literature can be viewed. What to write is for a writer to decide. If all writing is directed at social change, wouldn't the definition of literature become very narrow? What if a writer has a deep emotion of a personal kind, which he or she wants to share? A writer might have struggled to keep his faith in god intact despite a personal loss or abject poverty. Does he need a social purpose to write about that?
And what about the beauty of language in good literature? Do we read an author only for his message? Do we not enjoy the sound of words? Do we not improve our language when we read good authors?
Pankaj B. Singh,
Chennai
Justice Katju laments that there is no serious literature worth its name since the modern Indian writer does not advocate social change. But where should he derive his inspiration from? Certainly not from the politician. No one outside the realm of politics fills the vacuum created by the politician. There can be no mass upsurge in the given circumstances. Therefore, the masses cannot inspire the writer either.
V. Prasanna Kumar,
Kollam
It is essential for the fatwa wall, imposed on literature, to be brought down. At the same time, writers also need to have a sense of responsibility for, greater freedom comes with greater responsibility. Literature should serve people, not create divisions among them.
Mohammed Tahsin,
Bangalore
