People's Democracy

  Sahityashala –  A Successful Experiment In Telugu Literature

SAHITYASHALA is now a  very familiar  usage in Telugu literature; it is a kind of workshop organised by Sahiti Sravanti – a broad forum of progressive literary trends. Sahiti Sravanti began its activities in a big way from 2002. In fact, it is a continuation of glorious revolutionary trends in Telugu literature dating back to the forties. As things turned out, globalisation, frantically promoted in Andhra Pradesh by the then chief minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, has drawn the attention of all these progressive literary elements. The popular movement against hefty hike in power tariff had an electrifying effect on the Telugu writers. Not only the Left-oriented but also many liberals lent their pens in solidarity with the fighting people. Anthologies of poems and short stories were brought out. When the CPI(M) held it’s 17th congress in Hyderabad, an unprecedented day long recital of poetry ‘Janakavanam’  was organised by the reception committee. Many  treat this as  the beginning of a new atmosphere  in an otherwise not so enthusiastic literary scene. More than two hundred poets participated in the programme and their contributions were brought out as an anthology within a month, coinciding  with the Party congress.

Meanwhile, Sahiti Sravanti stepped up its activities in many places. It is not an association with a specific constitution. It is a broad forum which invites everybody opposed to globalisation, communalism and terrorism. When Gujarat pogrom of the communal forces shook the nation, Telugu writers organised a big protest meet and published many books condemning that savagery. This was organised by another secular association in cooperation with many, including Sahiti Sravanti. Most people saw it as a continuation of the trend set by Janakavanam. A literary meet was also organised as a part of Asian Social Forum held in Hyderabad in 2003,  with the initiative coming mainly from Sahiti Sravanti and other like-minded organisations. Writers of the drought-stricken Anantapur district took initiative in standing by the suffering people. A special book of stories was published.

Apart from conducting many literary programmes at many places, Sahiti Sravanti also brings out a quarterly publication titled Sahitya Prasthanam. Though, in the beginning, some felt that such magazines were not viable,  it completed two years successfully. It is acclaimed as the inheritor of  the prestigious magazine of yesteryears – Bharati. The broad approach of this progressive forum caught the imagination of all right thinking people in the field of literature. Of course, much needs to be done to streamline the magazine and make it much stronger and accessible, says Telakapalli Ravi, its editor and convenor of Sahiti Sravanti. Sahiti Sravanti also publishes books both at the state  and local levels.

Sahiti Sravanti functions through teams in district centres which are coordinated by the convenors. Many senior writers help it as speakers and resource persons.  Many more new talents were also discovered in the process. Anniversaries of prominent writers, kavi sammelans and seminars are being organised periodically. These occasions have not only enthused the older writers but also kindled interest in younger elements. In order to meet the growing interest in the writers of the new genre, a novel concept of Sahityashala was planned during summer vacations. It turned out to be a big inspiration to all lovers of literature. To the three Sahityashalas organised at Vijayawada and Hyderabad in March and at Kurnool in May this year,  250 to 300 literary friends, locally and from outside,  attended. Nearly fifty speakers, representing different views, generations and trends, participated in the meaningful discussions. Chekuri Rama Rao at Vijayawada, Singamaneni Narayana at Hyderabad and Rachapalem Chandrasekhara Reddy at Kurnool inaugurated the Sahityashalas.

Discussions on poetry and story were held simultaneously at two different places at Sahityashalas organised in Vijayawada and Hyderabad, whereas a combined session on both the issues was conducted at Kurnool. While the discussions centered round media and children’s literature at Vijayawada, the discussions at Hyderabad covered language and criticism and a workshop on debatable points in literature was held at Kurnool.  The progressive literary friends have gained valuable experiences from all the three Sahityashalas and all the participants have underlined the importance of such a broader outlook in Telugu literary creativity and discussion, explains Ravi.  Several people appreciated Sahiti Sravanti for organising these Sahityashalas on such a large scale and in a meaningful manner.  Another noteworthy point is that the youth, including students, both boys and girls in good number, constituted a substantial part of the participants.  The new writers wanted to know about the past and learn necessary guidelines, mainly the process and methods of writing,  for their future endeavours in the field of literature. The history of literature, the impact of different theories of Dalit, feminist and minority trends and the link between literature and local issues figured in the discussions at Sahityashalas. Globalisation and the resultant lack of human values and the need for alternatives have been explained by the participants from a combination of different angles, literary, social and cultural. All these literary articulations echoed like a collective call for waging a war of words against all kinds of inequalities and hegemony and enlightening the vast multitude of the people.  The  photo exhibitions of Indian and foreign poets organised in connection with the Sahityashalas enthused the invitees.  (MVR)