100 Gujarati classics go online, escape oblivion

If you haven’t been able to read all the great works of Gujarati literature because very few are available in print, there is some good news for you. The state government has decided to make the 100 greatest works of Gujarati literature available online, to coincide with Gujarat’s golden jubilee year.

“The state government has decided to launch a website this year which will make available the texts of classic Gujarati literature as also important information about the best 100 Gujarati writers of all time,” said Bhagyesh Jha, secretary, department of sports, youth and culture, government of Gujarat.

The website will provide texts of great poems as well as the prose masterpieces of Gujarati literature. A 10-minute video and 30 minutes of audio material on many Gujarati authors will also be posted on the Sahitya Academy website.

“Around Rs15 lakh will be spent on this project,” Jha said. “The government has also decided to organise a ‘Language Prosperity/Clarity Yagna programme’ under which
an effort will be made to enhance people’s reading and writing skills in Gujarati. This will involve an expenditure of another Rs50 lakh.’’

Jha said that for Gujarat’s golden jubilee year, the state government has also decided to make an effort to revive Gujarati theatre. “For this purpose, it has been decided to recreate 5 classics of Juni Rang Bhumi and organise shows at different places in the state,” he added.

The state government will also be organising a ‘Khel Mahakunbh’ to promote sports, and encourage sportspersons. “Over Rs2 lakh will be spent on Khel Mahakumbh events,” Jha said.