'visvaSrEyah kaavyam' is said to be the answer. One should write for the
welfare of the world, i.e., people. So, first one has to look at the
contemporary necessity and if possible a universal applicability (better
not make a desparate attempt) also. Literature like many other forms of art
did/would/should follow the human life and its passions. Though there is a
great deal of freedom for writer to'focuss on what he/she likes', I
believe, based on the contemporary situations, certain types of literature
were prominent at particular times. People might have written 'bhakti
literature' probably, when there was a need of committment, dedication with
a sense of holiness. Similarly, at times when there was no deficiency for
the basic human necessities (tinDi, baTTa, niluva neeDa), the attention
might have turned to 'SRngaara prabandhaas'. If one looks at the history,
most of the 'prabandhaas' came during 'Sree kRshNa dEvaraaya's' time, where
it was described that invaluables such as jewels were literally sold just
on the road-side, indicating the prosperity of the period. Most of the
other 'prabandhaas' were contributed by Sreenaadha, who seeked the
courtship of Reddy raajaas. The only other few came up during the romantic
rulers time in 'dakshiNaandhra yuga' (cEmakoora) amidst of political
uncertainities (may be the purpose was just 'entertainment'). Similarly,
when 'moodhaviSvaasas' 'along with 'kuTilata' were at peak in the society,
'tatva kavitvam' (vEmana) might have come up. During the times of freedom
struggle, 'dESabhakti kavitvam' was quite a bit. Similarly, when there was
the necessity for social reformation, 'abhyudaya kavitvam' (GurajaaDa) and
similarly, when a revolution against exploitation was inevitable, 'viplava
kavitvam' (Sree Sree) to wake up people might have figured in. Look at the
irony of the world! At the same time of Sree Sree (1910-1983), there
flourished the 'romantic poetry' (dEvulapalli 1897-1970s ?) too. After all,
variety is the spice of life. Isn't it?
>From time point of view, some of them may have only a contemporary value,
whereas some may have tremendous durability. From purposes point of view,
they always vary based on the situation ranging from 'invoking' to
'provoking'; 'stabilizing' to' mobilizing'; 'consoling' to 'condemning';
'entertaining' to 'enlightening' and what not?. When there is no right for
anybody to dictate a writer on what to focuss on, it is the responsibility
of the writer to judge 'what he/she wants to achieve out of that writing?'
That is why the awareness of a writer is judged by the contemporary sense
and projecting it at an as widely applicable fashion as possible with his
'samagradarSana'.
For sure, the modern poets did address the contemporary situations time and
again very admirably. As usually, if not all certainly, some of them. As
long as they have sharp and elegant insight into what they are focussing
(which could be reflected as the 'variety' and 'punch') in modern times, it
hardly matters which form of 'literary disposition' they used (for eg.,
prose or poetry). I believe the present day life is so challenging and
stressful and people look for a quick grasp of what one wants to say rather
than how well it is decorated. (I wonder how many people read my three
posts fully?) So, there is little scope left for a scholarly exhibition.
One may say who needs it. On the other hand, at times it is felt that the
audience/readers are becoming too impatient to listen to anything. No
wonder, these are the days of 'customers'. Unfortunately, the third aspect
'samagradarSana' is at stake at times. May be out of sheer enthusiasm,
'vacana kavitas', which fecilitated a free expression were used to express
mere personal experiences, in an over-generalized way with confined outlook
in an unconvincing manner. (I am sure, every one might have come across at
least 'some' very ambiguous ones at times.)
Can 'literature' be used for entertainment purposes in modern times aslo?
The modern day person faces day-to-day struggle of personal and
professional lives for his own and his family 's sake. So, amidst of the
threat/challenge of survival, one has to perform one's job both for oneself
and for the welfare of the society, as both are highly inter related.
Perhaps, a recreation or an entertainment may by all means
relieve/soothen/rejuvinate the person and may fecilitate him/her perform
better. Any kind of such 'healthy' entertainments, pertaining to a minimum
standards of ethics indeed, could be termed 'productive' for the society in
an indirect way. (Once, I heard on 'Jayamaala, Hindi film songs programme
on radio' that a 'jawan' on the border security duty used to get inspired
by a specific 'lata mangeshkar's song'.) At that rate, 'literature' is no
exception. So, the entertainment producers through 'literature' need not be
found fault with, as long as it is not abused. (to
be continued)
With regards
Prabhakar