New Delhi: The linguists who are scared of the onslaught of technology should rather make a truce with it. We should befriend it. Social media can be better utilized as a viable platform for the further growth of the vernaculars, especially Odia.
Unless used extensively, languages face extinction. Since Odia is yet to be made the official language of the first language-based state of the country, doubt still persists with regard to its longevity. Unless it is accepted as the means of income for the majority people, it is bound to be shrouded to relegation.
Hence, the so called elites of the state should strive for the glorious presence of this heritage language, opines Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, editor of the largest circulated Odia vernacular Daily Sambad.
Releasing the translated version of the anthology of poems Nightscapes, the ex-MP from Bhubaneswar Patnaik called upon the contemporary literary greats of the state to ensure the wellbeing of this mother tounge.
He urged to create inquisitiveness about this rich classical language among the succeeding generations of the state.
Presided over by learned litterateur JP Das, the event was held in the first week of July at India International Centre and graced by many prominent non-resident Odias of the national capital.
Describing the anthology as a collection of 42 thought-provoking poems, the president of the Poetry Society Dr HK Koul heaved praises on the author Dr Subhashree Lenka for having shown relentless decisiveness in portrayal of the love and romance, fear and confusion of the contemporary social order, especially the plights of the womenfolk.
He also appreciated the skill of the trans-creators in the book like JP Das, Ramakanta Rath, Jayanta Mohapatra, Jatin Naik, Aurobinda Behera, Sumanyu Satpathy, who among other literary whose who of the state.
Mandira Ghose, the other presenter, described Dr Lenka’s appeals as something feminist as they mostly seek to portray the fair sex as objects in the the contemporary social order.
Also the author of 4 published Odia anthology of poems and a social activist, Dr Lenka hailed the event as something most gratifying since it has been the only occasion to have commemorated any one of her creations.
An author can hardly bring about instant justice as it is not supposed to be his domain. But he nevertheless brings about an attitudinal change in the contemporary social order. Anything a creative writer or poet writes might have been spoken earlier as well by others. However, bringing about the existing concept in a maiden form becomes the testimony of one’s own creativity.
Also the secretary of the largest literary organization of the state Sambad Sahitya Ghara, Dr Lenka asserted that a creative artist is bound to lurk into the wonders of unusual sights even amidst the mundane things in the world.
The celebrated Odia writer Dr JP Das set aside the apprehensions about the untimely death of the languages, especially Odia.
Inspite of the massive onslaught of the vernaculars due to globalization, the rural folks would continue to safeguard these vast treasures, he asserted.
Instead, he expressed concern over the decrease in demands of the Odia books. Besides, he also contended that keeping a language alive and filling breather in its literature are two different things.
A genuine writer is supposed to be an allrounder who has multidimensional approach, he told. Whereas the poet Dr Lenka recited one of her most acclaimed original Odia poems poet Yashodhara Mishra recited a couple from her own translations.
Participating in the post meeting formal deliberation many intellectuals showered praises on Dr Lenka’s poems as they saw a touch of feminism. They also called upon the government to declare Odia as the official language of the state.
Reiterating Sri Patnaik’s assertion that Odia books should be promoted in the social media, they asked for acceptance of Unicode in Odia IT, inauguration of Sambad Sahitya Ghara facebook account and a branch in the national capital.
That a passion among the common man be created for Odia sms, they echoed Sri patnaik’s sentiment.
Among others the apex court lawyer Ambika, Chandrasekhar Mohapatra, Guru Padmakar, Ranjan Mohapatra and Sahashransa Mohapatra deliberated upon the need and possibilities of their mother tongue Odia.
Monica Sharma gave the introductory remarks and a vote of thanks.
Amarendra Khatua and Bijay Dash were among many intellectuals cutting across the state.
