The evolution of sports literature mainly has its root in the Western culture. Eminent writers like Ernest Hemingway, Willa Cather, Norman Mailer, Don DeLillo, Tom Stoppard, Joyce Carol Oates, and David Foster Wallace have not only written about sports, but also made immense contributions to evolution of sports literature.
Their works are not mere play-by-play accounts of a ball game, tennis match or prizefight. The competition, spectacle, personal struggles, and exaggerated personalities so characteristic of sport offer writers the perfect backdrop to look deeply into human nature and create literature that transcends sports itself.
Thus, sports literature takes form through fictions, essays, poetries and plays. It depicts finest examples of literary writings on baseball, football, boxing, tennis, cricket, bullfighting, and other sports.
Great literary works capture the broad appeal of sports and its ability to transform individuals and society. Through sport, writers explore the complexities of life, from its challenges and disappointments to its great pleasures. In many of the featured works prominent themes relate to friendship, aggression, failure, honour, humiliation, pride, loss and hope. Powerful writers elevate sports materials into literature through their wordy craftsmanship and dexterity.
According to famous sports author Don DeLillo, “The game doesn’t change the way you vote or comb your hair or raise your children. It changes nothing, but your life.” Sports literature celebrates the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the crushing blow, the herculean feat, the triumph and the thrill of literature and sport.
With the passage of time sports literature has evolved and gained popularity throughout the world. The popularity of the sports and sportspersons is gradually growing in India and, as a result, it has helped sports literature to blossom in the country as well. A number of books have been written in India.
Some of the popular books are ‘A corner of a foreign field: The Indian history of a British sport’ and ‘The States of Indian cricket: Anecdotal histories’ by sports historian Ramachandra Guha, ‘An Indian cricket century’ by Sujit Mukherjee, ‘The best of Indian sports writing’ and ‘Forgive me amma: The life and times of Dhanraj Pillay’ by Sundeep Mishra, ‘Goalless, the story of a unique footballing nation’ and ‘Twenty Two Yards To Freedom: A Social History Of Indian Cricket’ by Boria Majumdar, ‘Rahul Dravid: Timeless steel’ and ‘Sachin Tendulkar: The man cricket loved back’. Many autobiographies by some of the eminent sportspersons have also added to the wealth.
Biopics on famous sportspersons have been made and they have become instant hits among the fans. Some of the famous movies are ‘Dangal’, ‘Budhia Singh: Born to run’, ‘Mary Kom’, ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, ‘Paan Singh Tomar’, ‘Gold, Sachin: A billion dreams’, ‘MS Dhoni: The untold story’ and ‘Soorma’.
But the market of sports literature still remains tepid. “Earlier there was dearth of sports literature on India’s sportspersons in the market. But now it’s available in plenty in the market owing to the growth and promotion of the sports in the country. Alas! Still there are few takers for sports literature,” rued senior journalist and author of the book Olympic journey Digvijay Singh Deo.
Talking about a possible solution, Digvijay said, “Even as the number of books written on sports has increased manifold, not only in India, but across the world, there was no platform with the right scale and canvas bringing the authors and sports persons of international acclaim together.”
“In this context, the upcoming Ekamra Sports Literary Festival (ESLF) in Odisha will go a long way in inculcating the reading habit of sports literature among the sports fans in the state. With a conclave of national and international sportswriters, the state government, authors, athletes, players, coaches, the festival will welcome sports fans from across the world to listen to many eminent speakers. It’s a great opportunity for the sports enthusiasts to relish the experiences of their icons,” he added.
Senior journalist Sanatan Pani also stated in unison that ESLF is a great initiative to popularise sports and sports literature in the state. “Odisha is always a great force to reckon with in the field of sports. The state has a great past and bright future in the field of athletics and hockey. With a grand event like Men’s Hockey World Cup coming in the last week of November, ESLF will thicken the plot and create great ambience for sports in the state,” he stated.
ESLF will bring together the finest minds in the world of sport and writing to Bhubaneswar to discuss their work, share their vision, and hear diverse voices in a conducive and contemplative environment. It will definitely combine the spirit of sportsmanship with the humanness of Odisha.
Sports enthusiasts should buckle up…