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Mahasweta Devi
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Her relentless activism through her writings made renowned writer Mahasweta Devi a beacon of hope for society’s underprivileged.
At 87, she’s still raring to do more for “(her) my tribals.” Her moving stories of the downtrodden and tribal sects have been part of cultural studies at several educational institutions. So when you tell this soft-spoken old lady that most lit lovers discuss her texts in classes and on panels, she only looks up and smiles. She refuses to accept a recluse’s life. She goes all the way to reach out and jokes how she has many more schools to build and tube wells to dig!
Devi’s writings were made more popular, when her books — Rudali and Hazaar Chauraasi Ki Maa — were adapted into films that won critical acclaim. Her books have seen translations from Bengali into several languages. She, however, admits that there will always be a gap when you translate an original into English. The Dhaka-born writer says, “Translations cannot be the same as the original. It just never reaches here (points to her heart)…” Remind her that most of her writings have been translated into English, and a major portion done by literary critic Gayatri Chakravorti Spivak, and Devi says, “Yes, and they have been pretty good. I’m thankful to all the people who have translated my books. Gayatri has faithfully translated my writings too.”
Devi also vehemently advocates regional writing. “Regional writing is happening, but there should be more. I encourage regional writing and I think literary honours should be bestowed on these writers too,” says Devi, who was in town to receive a lifetime achievement award at Literature Live litfest. “Literary awards for regional writings take place back home in Kolkata, but I don’t know how much of it happens anywhere else in the country,” she adds. Some of her well-known books include The Queen of Jhansi, Breast Stories, Imaginary Maps, Outcast and The Why-Why Girl. Devi confesses that she doesn’t read a lot nowadays. Nudge her on who wins her vote when it comes to writing and she beams. Author Rabindranath Tagore has been her one constant favourite.
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