Economic and Political Weekly, EPW [http://www.epw.in], is a magazine that's usually thought-provoking, and I recently renewed my subscription to it (Rs 3200 for individuals for three years). In the July 12, 2008 issue, there's an interesting article of relevance to Goa, titled 'One for the (Cyber) Road". It's by that iconoclast who writes under the initials of GPD, and says: "The Marathi Sahitya Sammelans have been th evictim of the crass vulgarity that characterises our literary culture."
The Konkani sammelans -- of various shapes and forms -- have also been patterned on their larger, Marathi counterparts. So it's anyone's guess how relevant this debate is to us here in Goa. GPD writes: "During colonial times, there was a justified feeling that all cultural and social activity of people must have a collective aspect. Cultural professionals should meet once a year at least and exchange views and experience. It was justice Ranade who started it all towards the end of the 19th century. The idea was that one of the senior cultural activists, in this case, a Marathi author, would be selected to give a lead to the discussions. Being so elected acquired before long a status of (a) Nobel. Or nearly so! Year after year the celebratory nature of the collective increased and now the process of election has acquired a status akin to that of the election to the chairmanship of a sugar cooperative." He adds: "It is a part of the Indian psyche that we seem to be reluctant to see that literature si basically to be privately enjoyed. I think our poetry readings are responsible for it. In none of the advanced societies the phenomenon of a score of poets and 50 odd poems being applauded in one evening ever takes place.... The Marathi Sahitya Sammelans have been a victim of this crassness. And yet, ordinary people throng these celebrations with great enthusiasm. They buy books worth several lakhs of rupees. They venerate their idols and icons...." -- FN * Independent Journalist http://fn.goa-india.org 784 Nr Convent, Saligao 403511 Goa India Ph +91-832-2409490 M: +91-9970157402 Software for Kids Blog: http://softwareforkids.wordpress.com
