A Journal of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya

publicising myself and my writing by
opening a 'show room' sort of thing.
Pallav—What do you think of
contemporary Hindi writing?
Swayam Prakash—One thing should be
understood clearly. Like politics or
journalism, writing is also no more a social
service. It has become a profession.like
every professional, the writer also has
to consider what sells and what doesn’t.
Reading and assessing the mood of the
market and sales promotion etc. follows.
Publishers have become almighty. They
are not bothered about readers. Technology
has further strengthened their selfish
designs. They have a large number of titles
but hardly any repeat editions. If you
devote three precious years of your life
to write a book, the publisher publishes
it in an edition of three hundred copies...and
after six months you are out of shelves.
Your book has simply disappeared. New
stuff has silently replaced you. In such
a situation the idea of social commitment
has become almost irrelevant and
redundant. As a matter of habit some
writers are still following traditional realism.
But where are the takers? Who is reading
them? Look at the younger generation.
How many students of tenth standard can
recall-just recall the names of five
contemporary Hindi writers? They are
reading Harry Potter or Tuesdays with
Morris or the Monk who sold his Ferrari
or similar junk. And I tell you, here lies
the secret of change in their behaviour
with parents or with friends. Do your own
thing--this is the tag line of the Indian
youth. Do you know what the biggest
abusive word is these days? I tell you.
It is LOSER.
Pallav—C'mon...You are getting cynical.
Things are not that bad. I stay among
students and you should believe me. Things
are really not that bad.
Swayam Prakash—Ok. Let us assume
they are not.
Pallav—So what is the future of the
Hindi short story.
Swayam Prakash—I envisage it like this.
The short story can acquire the form of
collective writing. The writer will write
on his or her blog or site and invite
suggestions from readers. He may as well
give a few options in terms of plot of
the story. The option fetching maximum
votes will be developed. So story writing
will become sort of video game of today.
The short story may also acquire other
dimensions. It can have a video version.
Actors may recite favourite stories. There
can be contests of short story reading
for teens. Technology has made it possible
and feasible.But one thing is sure. It will
no more remain a mode of protest or
mass awakening.
Pallav—You mean its role as a teacher
and conscience keeper is finished?
Swayam Prakash—Yes. As a matter of
January-March 2012 :: 75