Edited excerpts:
Odishatv.in: First of all, readers would like to know prior to start writing, what homework you undertake?
Paresh: Shortage of time usually does not permit me to do homework. As I am into the banking profession, most of the time out of the 24 hrs in a day is devoted to the office-related work. But to satiate my creative urge and out of my interest, I take out some time to pen down novels and short stories. Therefore, I usually write when I am emotionally moved by any subject, situation or circumstances.
Odishatv.in: How do you choose a subject to write about?
Paresh: Actually, there is no clear-cut formula to select a subject. If any event or idea influences me, the writing begins. For instance, ‘A leave falls off a tree’ can be a superb subject to write about.
There is no clear-cut formula to choose a subject to write about. ‘Leaves fall off a tree’ can be a superb topic...
Odishatv.in: In 2006, the Odisha government conferred the State Sahitya Akademi award upon you for ‘Soka Divas’ novel. As it has been fairly some time gone, can you take us down memory lane?
Paresh: ‘Soka Divas’ is a story revolving around a piece of information regarding a student death which has not been confirmed. Yet people are getting ready to mourn the death of the student, classes in colleges are suspended in respect of the departed soul and political leaders also hold meetings to express their grief. In total, the story is about a petty issue which takes intensifies into a gigantic affair and becomes a talking point.
More to come.....
Madaripur Junction is my first novel. I am a government servant who got inspiration after reading writings of some stalwarts like Premchand, Sri Lal Sukla and Kashinath Singh. I tried my best and after getting suggestions from my friends, I started writing a novel from 2011.
It is a socio-political satire. It’s all about casteism and politics in villages and nothing related to the cities can be found in this book.
It is a very beautiful city. When I arrived at the airport, I felt that the city is a peaceful place. It is a historic place as well. Everyone knows about the Lingaraj Temple and after this interview, I will be going to offer prayer near Lord Lingaraj. I have come here to Bhubaneswar to attend a programme called ‘Kalam’ where I will get an opportunity to interact with the readers.
I think English-speaking people are few in numbers. Not only Hindi, languages like Odia, Bangla, Tamil, Telugu etc have a huge reader base in India but somewhere we are lagging behind in attracting our readers towards vernacular literature. Premchand was a Hindi writer but who doesn’t know him! I think this is a misconception that the number of English readers is more. It can be said that English reading youth are more.
Varanasi has been a centre of literature but I think Allahabad should also come in limelight of Hindi literature. It is a place which has got historic and religious significance. My next novel is on Allahabad titled ‘Via Fursatganj’.
https://youtu.be/__B7ycrQ_98
Visitors and writers are seen enjoying chats on various issues at this unique space called the ‘Ekabinsa Lekhaka Khati” that gives a platform for intellectual discussion.
“In book fairs unfortunately there’s no space for the writers to meet and chat. This time we thought to set up a ‘Khatti’ for the writers where we can talk about literature. In the evening a lot of literary persons come here and we discuss on a lot of topics,” said writer Amiya Ranjan Mahapatra.
There are other new stalls put up by various organisations that are grabbing eye-balls at the fair.
A special art competition named ‘Art Fiesta’ is also being organised here where artists from all age groups are taking part. This contest is organised by ‘I Am Artist’ foundation to create interest in art and craft mostly among the youth visiting the fair.
“We don’t have any age bar in this competition where evaluation will be done on the basis of likes on Facebook. We are conducting this for the first time in the book fair,” said Kalyani Acharya from ‘I am Artist’ foundation.
“My hobby is to paint. I love painting. I have come here in search of books but when I saw this competition I took part in it,” said a young painter Purvi.
At another unique stall, toys for cognitive development of kids are available. Children visiting the stall are fascinated to see these interesting toys.
“Children like to learn through toys rather than books. They want to gain knowledge in a colourful manner. Toys attract them more. There are different puzzle games, slides and other toys at our store,” said Vijaya Reddy, owner of toy store.
When it comes to books, both fiction and non-fiction of various genres like medicine, science & technology, politics, astrology, religion, culture, art, education and sports can be found in the racks here.
“We got very good response in initial few days but due to rain last three days were really dull. Today more number of visitors have come up and we expect the numbers to keep growing,” said secretary of the Ashok Mohanty.
There are around 250 stalls at the fair which started on November 11 and will continue till November 22.
https://youtu.be/GTkP9cKpjC4
“This is our sixth edition and we are pretty excited. When we started we didn’t think that the event will come so far. This year we are celebrating the 70th year of independent India and our theme is India@70,” said Shampa Dhar-Kamath, Managing Editor, Events and New Projects, The New Indian Express.
Pertaining to the theme, columnists Shankar Aiyyar, Ravi Shankar Etteh, politician Jairam Ramesh, filmmakers Madhur Bhandarkar, Amartya Bhatacharya and Sabyasachi Mohapatra, novelists Durjoy Datta and Anand Neelakantan, story teller-cum-writer Neelesh Mishra, actress Tillotama Shome, and Odia author and journalist Gourahari Das will be among the notable speakers to watch out for.
The festival is expected to draw crowd from all walks of life. The event will conclude on Sunday with closing key note address by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
https://youtu.be/QAwGz7Qu2uA
Citing the allegations of harassment levelled by a lady teacher from Kalahandi as unfortunate, Das filed a defamation suit against the editor, publisher of a news daily and some other persons including Manu Das, Asit Mohanty, Amiya Pandav, Umakant Rout, Pallishree Patnaik, Kulangar and former Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University of Culture Dr. Bimalendu Mohanty at Bhubaneswar Senior Civil Judge court and SDJM court.
"It is very heartbreaking for me to file a defamation suit even though I had never wanted it initially but I had to do it against some handful of people who have been relentlessly trying to tarnish my reputation on social media," Das said.
The move came after some members of Sanskruti ‘O’ Sanskruti, literary organization, on Monday complained before the Odisha State Commission for Women that Das lured female writers of new generation by promising to publish their works in newspapers and magazines.
Earlier, the issue came to the limelight after the teacher alleged that the Moortidevi awardee columnist had tried to take undue profit of their Facebook chat on literature topics and once gone on to the extent of asking her whether she was ‘sleeping alone’ and also to send him selfies, late at night.
On the other hand Das, however, had refuted the allegations as baseless. Speaking to OTV he had said, his half a century reputation was being spoiled because of some random hacker's job. Citing the allegations as baseless, Das had confirmed that he had been inactive on his Facebook profile since long.
Pathy was admitted to Kar Clinic here after he felt chest pain while on his morning walk today. Though he was given treatment by doctors, he died shortly thereafter.
A former secretary of the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi and Bhubaneswar, Pathy was one of the pioneers of the art movement in the State. He dedicated his life to promotion of Odia art all over the world though his art work, poetry and teaching. He was also the former principal of the BK College of Art and Crafts in Bhubaneswar and chairman of Ila Panda Centre for Art.
The eminent painter has written more than 60 books in Odia, English and German languages. Among the books authored by Pathy are Sayonara, Punarnava, Chilika Panire Chhai and Gachha Koradare Hrudaya. His art works have been acclaimed by art lovers and connoisseurs in the country and abroad.
Pathy had received the prestigious international Rietberg Award of Switzerland-based Rietberg Society in 2014 in recognition of his profound contributions to research on Indian art history and his lifetime dedication to the field of art as a painter and chronicler. He has also been conferred with the President of India's Silver Plaque for painting, the Orissa Sahitya Akademi Award for creative literature for his autobiography Drawing Master of Digapahandi and Jawaharlal Fellowship for his research work.
After the news of his death surfaced, people from various walks of life visited his home at Bhimtangi here to the pay their last homage to the veteran painter. Culture Minister Ashok Panda, MPs Baijayant Panda and Prasanna Patsani expressed their deep condolence on his demise.
Asked if he is interested to make a biopic on his father, Sunny told the media here: "I think making biopic is a trend that is going on. It is a good idea and would be nice to make a film on him (father Dharmendra) if only we can get a good writer and director to make the film."
"It cannot be random. There should be a writer who would invest time on it. It is not going to be that easy because my father will be involved in it. Since everyone knows everything about him, it must be put out in a nice way. Research will not be a problem, because my father is there to share the story," added the "Border" fame actor.
So, would he be interested to play the character of the legend Dharmendra on-screen?
"I really have not given it a thought. I know the resemblance is there. It is not only in me, but my son can also play the younger part of the character. But everything is dependent on the story," said Sunny, who has worked with his father and brother Bobby Deol for their upcoming film "Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se".
It is slated to release on August 31.
In a discussion titled 'Kal Aaj Aur Kal' at the 13th Habitat Film Festival, Gulzar, dressed in his trademark white kurta-pyjama, sat down with filmmakers Vishal Bhardwaj and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, to discuss the era gone by, the present and future of cinema in the country.
Looking back at the time when the new wave cinema had started, Gulzar reminisced: "Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani and films of Sahni sahab (Balraj Sahni) did it... This was there in that era that there was a desire to say something, and the anxiety to be like, 'If you get a chance, say it, express it'. This bechaini (restlessness) had taken birth for all creative people... Whether it was literature or cinema.
"A political comment had started coming in....There was also a fear as there was strictness of the censor board and government....That has been there and that strictness and we have seen it up to date. But today's common man, he raises his voices.
"I got a chance to work with with Vishal in 'Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola', which was on land grabbing....It's an open expression which started coming in with this generation. I say I am with this generation holding their hands. Earlier it was that I was walking ahead, and now I am walking with them.
"Today's cinema is an expression.... this kind of cinema happens far and between, but making a musical on land grabbing and making it like that, is great. And Rakeysh's 'Mere Pyare Prime Minister' is on sanitation issues....This generation is saying it openly and saying it boldly. I salute your generation."
Gulzar's own directorial credits include films like "Mere Apne", "Aandhi","Koshish", "Ijaazat", "Angoor" and "Maachis".
On the changes he has observed in Indian cinema over the years, the 83-year-old writer said: "When I came into cinema, films were about storytelling....I was very verbose, and used to have very exaggerated dialogues... But today's generation relies more on visuals and they trust it to convey what they intend to."
He said even the cinema halls were full of noise either of the food and drinks vendors or the projectors.
"Technically, our cinemas were handicapped," he said, adding how today's generation of filmmakers don't have to grapple with such issues because of how advanced the techniques and equipments have become.
Touching upon how people keep brooding over the difference between old and new melodies in Indian cinema, Gulzar pointed out how it only -- like the films -- reflect life.
"People listen to old melodies and say they have a 'thehrav' hai which is beautiful... But that was there in the life back then and in the stories of life. It can't be that your life's pace changes, and the music remains the same. It will be out of sync.
"So, it will have to change with time and with the pace of life, and I feel it has changed beautifully."
However, he said to have physical presence of music in some form -- as LPs, EPs, cassettes, CDs and now even pen drives are going out of fashion -- lends a sense of nostalgia to the experience of listening to it.
The session was organised in association with HarperCollins India.
He was 76.
Sadhu breathed his last at the Sion Hospital, where he was admitted yesterday for a heart ailment. He was in a critical condition and put on ventilator support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), hospital sources said.
"He was suffering from cardio myopathy," Dr. Jayshree Mondkar, dean-in-charge of the hospital, said.
He was known for his work in Mumbai Dinank, which was his first novel, and the book Simhasan, which was adapted into a Marathi film.
Sadhu, who worked with several newspapers, also wrote various novels in Hindi, English and Marathi for which he received a Sahitya Akademi award.
He was conferred with the Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad, N C Kelkar and Acharya Atre awards also.
The veteran scribe wrote on the rise of Shiv Sena, the Vietnam war and the Chinese revolution, besides several short stories.
Bhubaneswar will witness over 100 renowned writers, poets and artistes performing and speaking at the two-day event.
Eminent speakers include Amish Tripathi, Purushottam Agrawal, Kailash Kher, Subha Mudgal, Arundhathi Subramaniam, Mooralala Marwada, Smita Bellur, Sanjukta Wagh, Hitesh Dutia, Madhavas Rock Band and many others.
Mystic Kalinga Festival's founder and president Rashmi Ranjan Parida said the festival would celebrate the spirit of mystics, philosophers and poet-saints, reflecting on the lyrical and creative aspects of their work and teachings.