If 2020 was the year when the literary world was hit by a global pandemic, a host of eminent writers and litterateurs in Odisha feel 2021 will be the year to bounce back and touch new heights. No matter how 2020 treated the literary fraternity in the State, now is a great time to reset and make 2021 amazing. It is the perfect time to make a fresh beginning, they feel.
According to eminent essayist Dr. Benudhar Padhy, the novel coronavirus will become part of the general literary landscape and imagination of humanity, just like wars, the plague and other pandemics in history. The pandemic will leave scars and marks on mind, or the way we think, particularly ‘imagination’.
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Padhy doesn’t feel anything special about the first day of the New Year. “It’s just the day we begin the count for the ensuing year. But there is no reason why we can’t make resolutions to change our lives. Any excuse to make ourselves better is a good excuse,” he underlines.
However, Padhy has set an important resolution for himself: reading, reading and reading a lot in the New Year.
“The more we read, the better we will write. As with any craft, the more familiar we are with words and sentence structure, the more naturally they will flow from our pens,” he adds.
Meanwhile, young passionate writer and novelist Chittaranjan Chiranjit has set a goal to present his readers another novel in 2021.
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“Once we make a resolution, we must stick to it and feel proud of it. I am determined to complete my fifth novel in 2021. It will give me a lot of satisfaction,” says the promising writer who goes by the sobriquet, ‘Odia Literature’s Modern Man.’
“Despite the pandemic, I have written a novel, ‘Adipurusha,’ and a couple of short stories in 2020. I am determined to take the momentum forward in the New Year,” he adds.
Famous storyteller Hiranmayee Mishra is pretty optimistic that 2021 will be a ‘great year’.
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“The world may face some scary threats. There may be disasters and crises. We may face tough decisions. We may make mistakes. But we will overcome all odds,” says Mishra, matter of factly.
“I have made a goal to spend quality time with other authors in 2021 even if it happens on the social media. A lot of information can be picked up from other writers. I can discover a new writing process or learn tips and tricks of the trade from them,” says Mishra.
Recipient of the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Academy award (in translation) Prashant Kumar Mohanty is committed to improve his social media skills in 2021.
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“Social media offers a fun way to interact with readers and strike a rapport with the audience. The social media landscape is ever-changing and authors can easily join the fray at any point. This year, I have set a tangible social media goal that I am comfortable with and that fits my experience level. I aim at increasing my Facebook reach in 2021 and get acquainted with the evolving platforms,” Mohanty says.
Meanwhile, poet and story teller Chirashree Indrasingh promises to try ‘something new’ with her writings.
“I felt a bit stuck in the pandemic-hit year. I must try something new. It is a great way to work our minds around the writer’s block. The more tips and tools we have at your disposal, the easier our writing process will become,” she says while adding that she is committed to protect her writing time in 2021 by scheduling social events around it.