RAJASTHAN NEWS : At the initiative of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, ‘Vijaydan Detha Sahitya Utsav’ was held at Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur from March 21 to 23 with the aim of promoting and preserving Rajasthani language. On the last day of this three-day grand event, litterateurs, poets, scholars and language lovers associated with Rajasthani language, literature and culture participated. During the festival, about 50 litterateurs in 10 sessions discussed the history, importance and contribution of women in the literature of Rajasthani language.
The legacy of Rajasthani stories
In the morning session, Tushar Sharma and his team gave a singing performance. Manohar Singh Rathore, Dinesh Panchal and Shivraj Bhartiya shared their views in the session on ‘Rajasthani Bhasha Ka Katha Sansar’ which was moderated by Vijay Joshi. Dinesh Panchal said that the story is born out of thoughts and gets shaped into words. Due to the geographical location of Rajasthan, various linguistic influences are seen on the Rajasthani language. Vijaydan Detha laid the foundation of Rajasthani story writing by giving a new identity to folk tales.
Manohar Singh Rathore said that Rajasthani stories encapsulate every aspect of life from birth to death. Bijji (Vijaydan Detha) became an icon of Rajasthani literature and inspired people to learn Rajasthani. He also said that Rajasthani stories present the common man as a hero, which keeps the sensibility alive and makes the literature meaningful.
The need for innovation in Rajasthani poetry
Madan Gopal Ladha, Ravi Purohit and Ghanshyam Nath Kachchawa presented their views in the session on ‘New Poems of Rajasthani’ which was coordinated by Monika Gaur. Madan Gopal Ladha said that Rajasthani poetry has changed over time – earlier there was a description of war and beauty, but now they have begun to encapsulate sensibilities and global ideas. Ghanshyam Nath Kachchhawa described poetry as a medium to connect people and stressed the need to adopt new methods. Ravi Purohit said that despite the busyness of modern life, literary works will remain a source of introspection and solace.
Language is linked to culture.
Mridula Kothari, Gaurishankar Bhowmik and Dinesh Jangid presented their views on the topic ‘Rajasthani Des-Disawar’ which was moderated by Lalit Sharma. Dinesh Jangid said that with language, culture also moves forward, and the diaspora Rajasthanis should focus on translation and research of Rajasthani language. Gaurishankar Bhowmik expressed the need for compilation of Rajasthani literature in various fields and setting up of a library. Mridula Kothari shed light on Kanhaiyalal Sethia and women’s writing.
Valedictory session and richness of Rajasthani language
In the concluding session, the Chief Guest Dr. Jitendra Kumar Soni said that all of us should contribute in promoting Rajasthani language. He said the presence of more dialects in a language shows its richness. Onkar Singh Lakhawat reiterated the resolve of the state government to preserve Rajasthani language, art and culture. Senior litterateur Dr. Rajendra Barhath highlighted the importance of Rajasthani language.
The festival was organised in collaboration with Grass Root Media Foundation as part of the Rajasthan Government’s Budget Announcement 2024-25. On the occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr Jasbir Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police Mr Charanjit Singh Sohal, SDM Mr Rahul Sindhu, Joint MC Commissioner Mr Harcharan Singh, Assistant Commissioner Mr Hardeep Singh, ACP Model Town Mr Harinder Singh and others were present.