Ranchi, Jan. 12 : The long suppressed voice of the tribals is being slowly heard through the writings of a new genre of writers. And this breed of literary figures should be encouraged.
The observation was made by Rajendra Yadav, an eminent fiction writer and editor of Hans, a monthly literary magazine.
Yadav was speaking at an awards ceremony organised by Ramnika Foundation, a New Delhi-based organisation, to felicitate 12 writers from across the country, who have in their own way contributed in preserving languages. Yadav was the chief guest of the programme held at Social Development Centre today.
“Tribals were a neglected lot, but now they are able to express themselves through their literary writings. Earlier, we used to speak for them, but in contemporary times, various literary forums, comprising eminent writers from across the country, bring their voices to the fore” said Yadav, whose novel Sara Akash is one of the best sellers in Hindi.
However, Yadav rued that it was really sad that the situation had not changed in the villages. “Farmers still commit suicide and atrocities on Dalits are continuing. We need to write more about rural India, mainly Dalits,” he suggested.
The recipients of the awards, 2006-2009, were Krishnachandra Tudu of the tribal language department of Ranchi University, Anamika, Vijoya Saviyan, Wahru Sonewane, Pragya Daya Pawar, Bhagwan Das, Sushila Takbhore, Abhay Maurya, Vibhuti Narayan Rai, Dwarka Bharti, Y.C.P. Reddy and V.P. Verma Pathik. Each writer received a cash prize of Rs 11,000, shawl and certificate.
Punjabi writer Dwarika Bharti, who received the Raji Smriti Samman, said he has translated around 11 to 12 books from Hindi to Punjabi and vice-versa.
“The main objective of translation is to bring good literary works within the reach of more and more people,” Bharti said.
Poetess-cum-writer from Delhi, Anamika, received the Savitribai Phule Puraskar. Her works — Das dware ka pinjara and Tinka Tinke Paas — are based on women liberation and empowerment.