“The only way to oppose fascist traditions is by strengthening desi literature – which originated from the daily experiences of the commoners,” members of the Virasam-Viplava Rachayaithala Sangham said on Saturday.
Desi sahithyam makes people aware of the inequality and prepares them for movements, while the Shista or Anuvada (translatory) literature, that emerged from royal courts, does not allow human development, they said.
“An example of this is the branding of scholars, intellectuals, rights activists as ‘urban naxals’ by the Hindu nationalists. And together, the governments too conspire to lodge them in prisons to stifle voices – like those of Varavara Rao and Prof. Sai Baba,” Pani, State secretary of the Revolutionary Writers’ Collective said.
Inaugurating the two-day literacy workshop themed, ‘Desi literature, sociological history: Marxism’, here on Saturday, Mr. Pani explained that Marxism, is not euro-centric or just addresses class conflict, but remains at the heart of understanding division across social, class and communities. And, to commemorate Karl Marx’s 200th birth anniversary, the social theory is rightly framed with desi literature and the history, for better understanding, he said.
A message from freedom fighter Jaini Mallaiah Gupta read: “Forces of fascism are expanding at an unprecedented way after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over. Free voices and life ways are being attacked, imprisoned. The ruled should unite to oppose the ruler.”
Members – Varalakshmi who spoke on ‘Bhima Koregaon – mark of anti-brahminic struggle’, and other poets, stressed on the alarming rise of fascist forces in the country. The second day of the Virasam Sahithya Pathshala on Sunday discusses ‘Desi literature through Marx perspective’ and ‘Revolutionary literature in present sociological context’, and closes with a public meet and cultural performances.
