The Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi this evening organized a scintillating talk by the eminent Professor Emeritus, ML Raina at the Arts Council Auditorium in the State Library, Sector 34. The event was presided over by the noted thespian, Neelam Man Singh.
Welcoming a large gathering, the Chairperson of the CSA, Manju Jaidka, said that it is the endeavour of the Akademi to provide a forum for easy interaction with the best of local artists, writers, critics and intellectuals. She highlighted the main activities of the Akademi and invited the citizens of Chandigarh to take a constructive interest in their activities.
In his talk entitled "Reading Films, Reading Books," Prof ML Raina explained how films and literature, though distinct art forms, have one major quality in common, that is, narrative. Yet films and literature are different. While films are gestural, literature is representational. Film embodies and describes literature. Literature is pre-technological but its literary critical terminology is now used by films. Film is a collaborative effort while books embody the solitary journey of a writer which is then presented to another single individual -- the reader. Prof Raina's lecture was ably illustrated with the help of clips from the films of Tarkovsky, Bergman, Satyajit Ray, Fritzlang, Visconti, David Lean and Majid Majidi.
In her presidential remarks, Ms Neelam Man Singh appreciated Prof Raina's presentation and highlighted the connection between literature and performing arts.
The event was attended by an enthusiastic audience that participated in an animated discussion.
The next event of the CSA will be in collaboration with the American Corner at the State Library Sector 17, on 30th January at 3.00 PM. James MacDonald, a creative writer visiting from the USA, will give a talk on the role of literature in shaping lives. An invitation was extended to all concerned.
