Lucknow – A one-day national seminar on “The Role of Awadh in Hindi Literature and Cinema” was organized today by the Hindi Department of Khun Khun Ji Girls PG College, sponsored by the Higher Education Department, Uttar Pradesh.
The seminar commenced with the garlanding of Maa Saraswati’s idol and the lighting of the lamp, followed by a warm welcome of esteemed guests with mementos and floral bouquets.
Awadh’s Integral Contribution to Literature and Cinema
The chief guest, Professor Satish Dwivedi, former Minister of Basic Education, Uttar Pradesh, and Professor, Buddha Vidyapeeth, Siddharth Nagar, joined the event virtually. He emphasized that Hindi cinema is incomplete without Awadh’s literature, as literary words reach society through cinematic visuals.
The keynote speaker, Professor Shailendra Nath Mishra, Head of the Hindi Department at Lal Bahadur Shastri Degree College, Gonda, highlighted Awadh’s immense contribution to Hindi literature. He stated that drama, storytelling, novels, grammar, and Sufi traditions all originated and evolved from Awadh. He further elaborated on the four forms of the Awadhi language, underlining its deep-rooted connection with time and space.
Awadhi Language’s Global Influence
The special guest, Shri Ram Bahadur Mishra, President of Awadh Bharati Sansthan, stressed that Awadhi is not only prevalent in Awadh but also holds significance in Thailand, Suriname, Nepal, and Mauritius. He cited classic films like Nadiya Ke Paar and Pakeezah as prime examples of how Awadhi language has been beautifully depicted in cinema.
The session chair, Vidya Bindu, spoke about Awadh’s uniqueness, traditions, and cultural values through various folk stories and songs.
Cinema and Literature: A Deep Connection
The special session focused on the interrelationship between film and literature. The key speaker, Dr. Meenu Khare (All India Radio, Lucknow), shed light on the works of great literary figures like Bhagwati Charan Verma and Amrit Lal Nagar. She discussed Verma’s novel Chitralekha and Nagar’s Boond Aur Samudra, illustrating how these works reflected the socio-political transformations from the Nawabi era to the British period. She also analyzed Chitralekha’s profound lines on sin and virtue, highlighting their contemporary relevance.
Special guest, author, and filmmaker Dr. Neera Jalkshatri, shared insights into film-making and showcased two short films – The Beginning and The Last Letter. She emphasized Awadh’s literary contributions in refining cinematic language.
Renowned theatre artist and filmmaker Anil Rastogi, who chaired the session, shared his experiences and highlighted Awadh’s role in filmmaking. He also informed the audience that the government now provides a 50% subsidy for films made in Awadhi and other regional dialects.
Presentation of Research Papers
The technical session was conducted in both online and offline modes:
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Online session: Chaired by Dr. Ajit Priyadarshi (DAV College, Lucknow) and Dr. Pranav Mishra (KKV College), with 56 researchers and scholars presenting their papers.
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Offline session: Chaired by Awadhesh Mishra (Christ Church College) and co-chaired by Dr. Manjula Yadav, where 15 researchers presented their papers.
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Scholar Manish was awarded for the best research presentation.
Valedictory Session: Awadh’s Lasting Influence
The chair of the valedictory session, Professor Harishankar Mishra, former Head of the Hindi and Modern Indian Languages Department at Lucknow University, emphasized that Awadh’s literary impact extends beyond cinema to culture, science, and humanity.
The chief speaker, Professor Pawan Agrawal, from Lucknow University and Bharati Hindi Parishad, Prayagraj, noted that Awadh has been a center of cultural, artistic, and literary excellence, embodying the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (composite culture) and secularism. He highlighted how Awadh’s historic sites, music, and traditions are reflected in literature and cinema.
Organizers and Supporters
The seminar was successfully coordinated by Dr. Shalini Shukla (Hindi Department) and organized under the guidance of Principal Dr. Anshu Kedia. The teaching and non-teaching staff played a crucial role in ensuring the event’s success.
The seminar concluded on a high note, reinforcing Awadh’s profound influence on Hindi literature and cinema, and celebrating its rich cultural and linguistic heritage.
