Birendra Mohanty of Odisha was recently selected for the prestigious Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Award for children’s literature for his poetry ‘Rumku Jhuma’. The 56-year-old soft spoken litterateur from Nilachakra Nagar in Puri talked about the crisis faced by children’s literature in the state as well as its glorious past during an interaction with Orissa POST. Excerpts
There are so many branches of literature. What attracted you towards children’s literature?
Children’s literature is considered to be the origin of all literature in the world. If the children’s literature of a language is enriched then its intellectual literature will automatically be enriched. A noted philosopher had once said ‘Give me the children’s literature of any country and I will tell you about their culture, tradition, civilisation and geography vividly. Children are the future of the country, so I decided to enrich the buds.
Did you expect the Kendriya Sahitya Akadmi award?
To be frank, every literary person wants to be honoured in some way or other… may it be a garland or a bunch of flowers or roars of applause. Most of them discard it, but I would say it is the psychological craving of a literary person and there is nothing wrong in it. I am elated to receive the award, albeit belatedly. It will inspire me to work more vigorously in the future for the enrichment of Odia children’s literature.
Currently, children’s literature in Odia is on the wane. These days, children are not interested in reading. What could be the reason behind it? Don’t you feel frustrated at times?
The main reason behind it is the decline in education. Odia literature is a neglected subject in schools. We need expert teachers for Odia literature. Only they can create interest among the pupils about Odia literature. The library culture also needs to be revived in schools. Often people writing for children are also considered inferior to the intellectuals. But I think children’s littérateurs deserve more respect as they are preparing the base, which is the most important aspect.
Why should one read children’s literature in this technical age?
Technical education can make one a good doctor and engineer, but it can’t make one a good human being. Only children’s literature can help one become a good human being. It helps a child to develop a good understanding about life and take care of his intellectual and spiritual development. Children’s literature entertains and enlightens.
In this age of Internet and television what should be done to attract children towards literature?
There are many good literary works in the Internet and television also. Cartoon, comics and TV serials for children are growing in popularity. These modern media should be used judiciously to promote children’s literature. But my understanding is that these should be short, simple and sweet. A talented person will always be attracted to literature and the onus is on us to provide him with high quality material in different media. We also lack good Odia magazines, unlike in Hindi and English.
Most Odia children’s magazines have died untimely deaths. For example, even a popular children’s magazine like Sisulekha is now defunct.
It’s unfortunate. The state government has enough funds to continue Sisulekha. But they lack interest and are under a state of great inertia. The state government should take the entire blame for it as they lack vision and have a very narrow mentality. Sisulekha could be developed into a great pictorial, colourful and comical magazine to attract children. It should be circulated in all schools. But we don’t have the proper concept and we are unable to choose right people to helm it.
Guardians are also not interested in giving their children exposure to children’s literature as they feel that it’s waste of time. They feel their children should concentrate on their text books.
Parents have a great role to shape the minds of the children. They need to change the children’s minds and draw them to children’s literature. It is high time they introspect and understand the value of children’s literature. Only then can they motivate their kids to read children’s literature and be good human beings. Guardians should start buying and reading magazines for their children.
Who are your inspirations?
I have drawn inspiration from children’s magazines like Mina Bazar and special newspaper pages like Pilanka Dharitri. My parents and Lord Jagannath are also my inspirations.
Whom would you dedicate this award to?
I want to dedicate this award to all the children of Odisha, who love children’s literature.
By Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra