OLDIES GOLDIES

JEEVAN SANDHYA KA KAVYA

OLDIES-GOLDIES, A Trilingual Kavi Sammalen "Jeevan Sandhya Ka Kavya" was organized today in the auditorium of the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi, State Library, Sector 34, Chandigarh.

The theme of the Kavi Sammalen was "Old is Gold" and the event was dedicated to Senior Citizens. Dr. Chandar Trikha a renowned poet, read his poem "Dukhi Mat Ho Mere Bhai"; Janab B.D. Kalia "Hamdam" presented a gazal "Aap ke Kadmaon Se Lipti Hai Bahar/Do Ghadi Mere Bhi Ghar Ho Jayie". The following poets also recited their poems, Dr. Jai Parkash "Bahut cheese hai jo peeche chut gayi"; Dr. KaIlash Ahulwalia "Kayi baras beete jo patar ek maine likha tha tumahre naam"; Dr. Smt. Pannu Parwaj "Din dhal gaye mauj bahara de"; Smt. Ratneev "Je duniya de rang kachare"; Shri. H.S. Nama" Jameena chahe girade tumhe harek nazar se"; Sr. Bhagwant Singh "Sala da hisab kida kariya"; Sr. Manjeet Singh Gill" Phula to yaraa apna daman bachake rakhi"; Col. Surjeet Singh Kafan "Kafan Mar Jayega tu begair Kafan ke"; Smt. Saroj Verma Mukatmala "Mai fatifat waqt ke pal," and Sh. Chaman Lal Sharma "Dhalta Suraj mujhe keh gaya".
The event was chaired by Dr. V. Mehndiratta who has earlier been the Chairman of the Akademi. Dr. D.S. Gupt concluded the event with his poem "Umar Badane ke sath sath virakti ka bhav aane lagta hai".





On Valentine's Day the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi under the Chairmanship of Prof Manju Jaidka, paid a homage to the Senior Citizens through this poetry session which was compered by Shri Madhav Kaushik. It was attended by an enthusiastic group of elderly people.

Reading Films, Reading Books

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.

Creative Writing at SGGS-G, 26

A workshop on creative writing was held at Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, in collaboration with Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi. Dr. D.S. Gupt, Vice chairman C.S.A , initiated the sessions. Dr. B. S. Parihar a practising poet in Urdu, Hindi and English, gave a thought-provoking discourse on the role of poetry in channelizing suppressed expressions. He emphasized the imperative of a guide or teacher in learning the poetic craft which he clarified was more a product of practice and endeavor than mere inspiration. Mr. Prem Vij, member, Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi, encouraged the students on their creative endeavors.
Eminent contempory story-writer, Mr. Sally Baljeet traced the essentials and development of the short story. Devout and extremely well read scholar of poetry Col. Retired, Jasmer Singh Bala, shared valuable his love for poetry which he said is an intrinsic part of our existence from our very infancy. Paying fond tributes to venerable teachers like Sohan Singh Sital and Dr. Attar Singh he relived his experience as a student of poetry and emphasized the writing of poetry in ones mother tongue and refining its craft through the close reading of renowned poets and critics. He exhorted aspiring writers to save the "Punjab Muse" which was fragmenting and to rely upon experience without being overawed by great political upheavals while learning from them.
Principal of the college, Dr. Harinderjit Kaur, presented a vote of thanks to all speakers for responding kindly to their invitation, the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi for its initiative especially the personnel contributions of the vice chairman Dr. D. S Gupt and the participating students for their priceless contribution for the success of the workshop.

Students from 10 Colleges of Chandigarh participated in poetry and short story writing contest competitions held after the talks.


Results for Creative Writing Competition:

Essay:
1st Prize:Sandeepa Rahi (Dev Samaj College for Women, Sec.45, Chandigarh)
and Ramandeep Kaur (MCM DAV College for Women, Sec.36, Chandigarh)
2nd Prize:Rupali Gautam (DAV College, Sec.10, Chandigarh)
and Arpu (GCG Sec.11, Chandigarh)
3rd Prize:Raminder Singh (MCM DAV College for Women, Sec.36, Chandigarh)
and Swati Zar (Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh)

Play Writing:
1st Prize:Manpreet Kaur Grewal (Govt. College of Education , Sec.20, Chandigarh)
2nd Prize:Deepika Kaur (MCM DAV College for Women, Sec.36, Chandigarh) and
Madhuri Thakur (Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh)
3rd Prize:Manmeet Luthra (GCG Sec.11, Chandigarh)and Prabhjot Kaur (Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh)

Short Story Writing:
1st Prize:Deepika Kaur (MCM DAV College for Women, Sec.36, Chandigarh)
2nd Prize:Divya Gurnaij (MCM DAV College for Women, Sec.36, Chandigarh)
3rd Prize:Manmeet Luthra (GCG Sec.11, Chandigarh)
and Gurpreet Kaur (Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh)

Poetry Writing:
1st Prize:Amrita Pathak (GCG, Sec.11, Chandigarh)
and Jyoti Verma (MCM DAV College for Women, Sec.36, Chandigarh)
2nd Prize:Abhijot Kaur (Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh)
and Ruchika (GCG Sec.42, Chandigarh)
3rd Prize:Reena (Dev Samaj College of Education for Women, Sec.36, Chandigarh)
Ramandeep Kaur (MCM DAV College for Women, Sec.36, Chandigarh)
Commendation: Tegmeet Kaur (Govt. College of Education, Sec.20, Chandigarh)

JANUARY 10, 2009

Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi, organized a special lecture on "Born of the Same Womb: Painting and Poetry in the Indian Traditon" which was delivered by Padma Bhushan awardee Prof. B.N. Goswamy, the renowned art-critic and historian, at the Multi-purpose Hall, State Library, 1st Floor, Sec-34, Chandigarh on 10th January, 2009. Prof. P.L. Mehra, eminent historian and thinker, chaired the prestigious lecture. Prof. Manju Jaidka, Chairperson of Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi, paid rich tributes to Prof. B.N. Goswamy, the polymath, by ranking him in the tradition of Coomarswamy, Bharat and Picasso. Initiating the discussion, Prof. P.L. Mehra underlined the urgent need to integrate apparently dissimilar fields – aesthetic, political cultural in the context of the present times - which only a versatile thinker aesthetic like Prof. B. N. Goswamy can accomplish.
Prof. B.N. Goswamy, citing liberally from Mammata, Vishwanath and Bharatamuni, emphasized the integral and organic discourse of SAHITYA- which includes sound, sense of and music and produces a sense of harmony. Quoting further from the Vishnu Dharmottar Purana, he said that the CHITRASUTRA pointed to the inter-relationship between poetry and painting (CHITRAKAVYA) highlighted by Anand Coomarswamy. Rajput Paintings also bring out the interconnection between vernacular painting and poetic contexts.
A work of painting, Prof. Goswamy said, is the representation of the poetry of things, of every day details, of ordinariness and of revelation. The impact of art is not immediate - it is revelatory and unfolds gradually - whether it is visual or verbal. Hence, an art work is a multi-media work-necessitating different ways of reading it.
Prof. Goswamy showed how the secular and the sacred are inextricably interwoven in these paintings. The Lecture, interspersed with a free sprinkiling of poetry, was attended by a large appreciative audience. He concluded with the recitation of the highly evocative poem "Mera Safar" by Ali Sardar Jafri. The poem is a celebration of life: human beings come and go, individual life may come to an end, but life is eternal -- the cosmic force renews itself in constantly. The cycle of life goes on. This is an idea repeatedly presented in poetry as well as painting.

The next event of the Akademi will be on 20th January – a talk on the connectiontion between Films and Literature by Prof ML Raina, another eminent scholar.

The internet is a great boon. It gives us online texts of Jafri's poems. If you are looking for the one that was quoted today, you may find it at: http://www.razarumi.com/documents-archive/my-journey-mera-safar-ali-sardar-jafri/ and the original Urdu version is available at http://www.razarumi.com/mera-safar-ali-sardar-jafri/

ML RAINA'S TALK

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN DATE:
Prof ML Raina's talk "Reading films: Reading Book" will take place on 20th January, 2009.
Venue: State Library, Sector 34
Time: 4 PM

PANEL DISCUSSION ON CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
PANEL DISCUSSION ON CHILDREN'S LITERATUREThe Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi organized a panel discussion on Children's Literature at its premises in the State Library, Sector 34.
The main speaker on the occasion was Dr Rama Rattan, a well-known name in Children's activities in the Tri-city. She spoke at length on the challenges facing writers of children's fiction and shared her first hand experience in the field. Prof Jaspal Kang, Professor, Panjab University Dept. of Correspondence courses, chaired the session. Other speakers included Yojana Rawat of Panjab University, Harpreet Dhiman who teaches in MCMDAV and also is an announcer All-India Radio (Chandigarh), and Navreet Sahi who is engaged in research in Children's Literature. Dr Rama Rattan higlighted the fact that even in children's literature there is a marked gender discrimination, for example, one cannot find 'lori' (lullaby) written for a girl child. She felt that it is time we took to promoting children's literature seriously. Dr Kaang, agreeing with the speaker, felt that "catch 'em young" should be the motto and we should, for an early age, help children develop a love for literature.

Harpreet Dhiman spoke of the popular tales of Tenali Raman, Akbar-Birbal and Mulla Nasiruddin. Navreet drew attention to best loved characters in children's literature and Yojana Rawat spoke of how children's literature has to adjust to a changed scenario in a globalized world.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Manju Jaidka, Chairperson of the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi, spoke of the various activities of the CSA. At present a team of editors is working on selecting and compiling Anthologies of Short Stories and Poems written by Chandigarh writers. Work has also commenced on updating a Directory of Chandigarh writers. In this connection the Akademi is offering stipends to volunteers who will serve as Data Collection Officers. Further, it was announced that the Akademi proposes to select an eminent writer for a Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominations were invited for this Award.

Today's Panel Discussion was a great success, judging from the large strength of the audience and the animated exchange of ideas that followed. It was a highly interactive session with a lot of involvement between the speakers and the audience. What made the event even more lively was a "Surprise Item" which comprised surprise gifts for those in the audience who were able to answer questions randomly thrown at them during the proceedings.

Mr Madhav Kaushik, Secretary of the CSA, ably conducted the discussion and summed it up with a vote of thanks.

The CSA events scheduled for January 2009 include presentations by two eminent persons – Professors BN Goswami and ML Raina on the 10th and 24th of January, respectively.

Le Clezio and Adiga

FIRST IMPRESSIONS, a discussion of the works of New Authors, was organized this evening by the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi. The authors discussed were the Nobel Laureate JEAN-MARIE GUSTAVE LE CLEZIO and the Booker Prize Winner ARAVIND ADIGA. The main Speakers on this occasion were Professor Meera Malik (of Panjab University) and Simar Onkar (of Great Books).The two writers discussed today were virtually unknown before they shot into the limelight following the prestigious awards they received. It is but natural that interested readers should be curious about their works. The Booker prize winner, who is known for his book The White Tiger, is a new entrant in the world of letters. As for the Nobel laureate, Le Clezio, even today not many of his books are available in translation.
Prof Meera Malik in her appraisal of The White Tiger spoke of the two diametrically opposite responses that Adiga has evoked among the reviewers. He has either been praised for giving expression to the till-now largely ignored working classes or dismissed for presenting a negative image of India to gain approbation from the Western audiences. She felt that it was too early to judge whether Adiga will move on from the status of a bestseller to becoming part of the canon of Indian literature in English. However, she felt that Adiga's novel was eminently readable.

Simar Onkar talked about the history and politics behind the Nobel Prize. He demystified the aura underlying the Nobel by arguing that it was Euro-centric and gender-biased. However, he felt that Le Clezio deserved the attention that he has been given, because of his cosmopolitan outlook, that has helped him explore civilizations and value systems beyond the dominant Western ones. The presentations were followed by a lively discussion.
Today's discussion was extremely informative as it was exploratory in its approach, opening up new horizons, treading upon new ground, and exploring the works of very new writers. The event was very well attended by literature enthusiasts. It was one more event in the series of literary discussions that are being conducted regularly by the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi.