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City of joy is like a bigger Allahabad
ALLAHABAD HAS been greatly rich in literary, cultural and spiritual fields and it has an off-beat character, which makes it even different from other places in north India. Litterateurs are more dedicated to their creative work here and they are not so worried about their name, fame, money and position. Perhaps, this is why they could succeed in a better manner. Similarly, people in Kolkata too tend to be more creative than being much ambitious.
ALLAHABAD HAS been greatly rich in literary, cultural and spiritual fields and it has an off-beat character, which makes it even different from other places in north India. Litterateurs are more dedicated to their creative work here and they are not so worried about their name, fame, money and position. Perhaps, this is why they could succeed in a better manner. Similarly, people in Kolkata too tend to be more creative than being much ambitious.
This is the reason I find Kolkata as a big Allahabad.
This is the opinion of Mamta Kalia, a well-known litterateur and Director of the Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad, Kolkata. Though Mamta had been a teacher of English throughout her career, which includes teaching at Delhi University and Mumbai University, she has won laurels for her significant contributions in Hindi literature. Her dedication to teaching can be gauged from the fact that she always took classes at the Mahila Sewa Sadan Degree College, Allahabad, even during her 28-year principalship.
A recipient of several prestigious awards, including Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan's Sahitya Bhushan Samman, Mamta Kalia has about two-dozen books and many articles to her credit. Besides, she has edited many books and magazines.
In an exclusive interview with the HT Allahabad Live, Mamta Kalia expressed her frank opinion about the current literary trend and the atmosphere.
When asked about trend of writing in West Bengal and adjoining States, she said: Gone are the days when litterateurs were branded as progressive and individualistic. Be it Allahabad, Delhi or Kolkata, only one trend is prevailing now and that is global. However, this trend is stronger in Kolkata.
Though many writers continue to show concern over poverty, illiteracy and various other social evils, their vision is no longer confined to a single region.
Their concern and interest are universal now.
About common man's interest in literary and cultural activities, Mamta says the people in Kolkata are certainly more aware and take more interest in such programmes.
"The Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad has been building bridges between different Indian languages and for the purpose various programmes are regularly organised.
These programmes are always well attended and many people rush to the venue straight from their work places and keep sitting for hours together. This certainly inspires us," she adds.
About people's reaction to such activities, she remarks: "The people in Kolkata, like Allahabad, are frank enough to express their opinion and if they find something appreciable or otherwise, they react to it honestly.
When asked how far the Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad had succeeded in its efforts, she said the autonomous organisation had got translated many eminent writers' works in Hindi and vice versa and this had evoked a positive response. "More people in Kolkata are inclined to read Hindi writers like Munshi Premchand and Shrilal Shukla. Besides, we have been promoting the young writers and those doing a good job are awarded every year. However, I feel the writers in Bangla are better narrator and story-tellers than those in Hindi."
