Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier academy of letters was established on 12th March 1954. Although it was established by government Sahitya Akademi functions as an autonomous body. Government Resolution (GR) which laid down the constitution of the Akademi describes it as ‘a national organisation to work actively for the development of Indian letters and to set high literary standards, to foster and co-ordinate literary activities in all the Indian languages and to promote through them all the cultural unity of the country’.
History of foundation of Sahitya Akademi dates back to pre-independence time. Roots of Akademi can be traced in a proposal given by The Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal to the then Government of India in which it suggested the formation of National Cultural Trust to encourage cultural activities. After independence Government of India acted upon the proposal and decided to set up three national academies – one for letters, one for visual arts and one for dance, drama and music. Government felt that the state initiative was necessary but once the academies are established it would refrain from interfering in their functioning.
Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, strives for the advancement of literary dialogue and promotion of literary publications in the country. It is the only organisation that promotes literary activities in 24 Indian languages – 22 languages listed under eighth schedule of Indian Constitution and English and Rajasthani.
Akademi conducts all its activities from its headquarters named Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi and its four regional centres based in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai. Akademi has also set up Centres for Translation at Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and De...
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...pulation of India lives in rural and semi-urban areas and in such areas reach of Sahitya Akademi is very limited. Akademi should ensure that book exhibitions and literary seminars are also organised in such areas so that a big section of population which is getting literate, thanks to efforts by governments, would also get familiar with vast sea of literature which would expand their horizons with knowledge.
In this era of Information and Technology Sahitya Akademi should strive to make maximum Indian literature available on online platforms so that its consumption can increase manifold.
Literature plays a very important role in maintaining the socio-cultural fabric of society. With the advent of globalisation there are complaints of rapid westernisation of Indian society. In such scenario Sahitya Akademi can play immense role to preserve the ‘Indian’ness of India.
Arnold, David and Peter Robb. Institutions and Ideologies: A SOAS South Asia Reader. London, UK: Routledge, 1993. Print.
In “Why Literature Matters” the author, Dana Gioia, argues that literature is very important in today’s society. He talks about the decline of reading over the years and the effects it has on different companies and communities. Gioia uses many persuasive techniques, such as evidence, jingoism, and diction, to try and persuade the reader that literature is important.
Literature is acknowledged for its ability to mirror life. It stands as a reflection for some of the human behavior and it helps to illuminate a genuine picture of the societies.
The works of Indian authors writing in English are often to be found on the best-seller list. They are also incurring and earning an immense amount of critical fame.
She had an admirable influence on Punjabi literature and is known as the most important voice for women in Punjabi literature. In 1956, she became the first woman to win the Sahitya Akademi Award for her long poem, Sunehe (Messages). Later, she would become a recipient of the Bhartiya Jnanpith for Kagaz Te Canvas (The Paper and the Canvas), the Padma Shri, the Padma Vibhushan, and India’s highest literary award, the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship given to the “immortals of literature” for lifetime achievements in the field of literature. She would also go on to receive the International Vaptsarov Award from Bulgaria and Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Officier) from France. She was nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha (1986–92) and she received honorary degrees from many universities including Delhi University, Jabalpur University, and Vishwa
The birth of Indian literature in English can be traced back to the works of India authors such as Raja Rao, Mulk Raj Anand, and R.K. Narayan among so many others. Drama as a genre emerged out during the British raj, though its origin can be traced back to Vedic period. Indian drama emerged with the establishment of the Kendriya Natak Sangeet Akadmi in 1953 and national school of drama set up by Sangeet Natak Akadmi in 1959. With these academies drama grew in almost all the Indian languages. The Year 1972 gave Indian theatre playwrights like Baal Sircar, Vijay Tendulkar, Mahesh Dattani, Girish Karnad, Habib Tanvir and many more. These postcolonial writers worked on bringing back the cultural essence of India. Their works also highlight the conflicts that a postcolonial writer goes through while writing about the colonial effect on postcolonial era. Young actors, directors and playwrights like Girish Karnad has explored new techniques, styles and themes which has contributed a lot to the growth of Indian
Culture and social colonization of the native culture by the dominant foreign influence has not only resulted in never done change in social and cultural ethos of India, but it has also be present by an alternation of the economic scenario of our nation. And worst affected are the traditional arts and crafts. Because of this that writers like Girish Karnad make an attempt in their writing to bring about a ‘cultural renaissance’ on the Indian literary scene. He has been rightly called the “Renaissance Man”, whose celebrity is based on decades of prolific and consistence output on native
The doctoral research that I hope to pursue at -------------- intends to analyse these questions more systemically (more thoroughly?). My research archive would cover Anglophone literary production from Sri Lanka between 1983 and 2009 - the time period of the ethn...
Literature is a part of human life experiences as it includes one’s happiness, sorrows, and surroundings. The world has changed from decades to decades and from centuries to centuries. Hence literature has changed and attained many variations, geners and categories. Diasporic writing is also one among the literature which had a great influence in the readers minds. This writing inspired many writers and converted most with great economy to the subject matter of one fable or another.
Dr. M.K.Bhatnagar, Head, Department of English, M.D. University, Rohtak in his article, ”Comparative English Literature-Limits and Prospects” says “Comparative study of Literature involves in lumping together of two or more tests which are perceived by the critic, to have a significant, similar or dissimilar theme or style. It also gives ways to assume a number of dual awareness studies inter-genre or intra-genre, inter-cultural or intra cultural, inter authorial or intra-authorial or a specific permutation and combination of these” (1). Many Indian writers have tried their hands in writing autobiographies. This paper distinguishes the similarities and the dissimilarities established in Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s ‘My Search for Truth’ and
Anima, P. “Going Strong after Decades of Writing.” The Hindu 19 Mar 2007. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.
Literature has had a major impact on society, and, also our history. Literature has reformed and shaped civilizations, changed political systems, and has exposed injustices (3). Our literature has changed and developed as we have, keeping up with our society. “...literature is crucial for the advancement of society (3).” With literary works, we can convince others to view things a certain way, share our opinions, and more. Literature is greatly intertwined with our society and everyday lives, and they would not be the same without it. Literature plays an irreplaceable role in our
Dalit literature represents an influential, rising trend in the Indian literary scene. Dalit writing is a post-independence literary phenomenon. The emergence of Dalit literature has a great historical significance. It has served the purpose of awakening the consciousness of the downtrodden for forging their identities. The recent surge in Dalit literature in India is an attempt to being to the forefront the experiences of discrimination, violence and poverty of the Dalits. The emergence of low-caste literature has taken place alongside a broader growth of consciousness and activism, particularly in urban India. As an individual a dalit cannot forget his past. The humiliation tries to remember his past.
Literature has many purposes, and opens doors to unique worlds. Through Literature, we discover ourselves and world time and again.
With the passage of time, its significance is getting even more realized and recognized, to the extent of considering ‘culture’ as the mainstay of the largest democracy in the world. ‘Incredible India’ campaign has risen to a higher pedestal owing to the importance being given to the cultural symbols of the country. The socio-economic, political, legal, environmental and technological vibes of India are closely knitted to form part and parcel of the nation’s culture- where in lies its strength and indomitable spirit. In the realm of domestic tourism too, the diverse cultural expressions have played a great role. Indian art and architecture are classic representations of aesthetic beauty and time-tested creativity. The backgrounds of artistic productions are unique to India. Several inspirational and influential factors could be attributed to art and architecture of India. Yet, the humility and unclenched commitment to the society, which were the hallmarks of early artists, are depreciating in the 21st century. This is not at all a good sign for the cultural elation and dignity of the nation. On the basis of the pattern and direction of selective cultural adaptation that is taking place in India in the process of globalization of culture, and considering the historical features of its social structure and institutions it could be concluded that the Indian culture, whether local or national has sufficient resilience to succeed in preserving its cultural identity and also workout a successful and creative synthesis between the global and the local, regional and national levels of cultural styles, forms, and