Marathi writer Bhalchandra Nemade has been chosen for the Jnanpith Award for the year 2014. Born in an OBC (Leva Patidar) peasant family in 1938, Nemade first shot to fame with his novel Kosla. The novel was published in 1963, when he was only 35. The Sahitya Akademi award was conferred upon him for his novel Tikaswayamvar in 1991. He is the only Marathi author to have given a genuine rustic, rural touch to his writings. His commitment to anti-Brahmanism is total. No other Marathi writer has written and spoken as much against Ram, Krishna, Peshwai and Brahmanism as Nemade. His novel Hindu is a scathing critique of the Hindu religion. Besides novels, Nemade is also known for his poetry and literary criticism. -Shrawan Deore
Tribal arts document human history and knowledge
A two-day workshop centred on the artistic tradition of tribal communities was held on 3-4 February in Ranchi. Thirty-four artistes of nine different tribes, together representing all the 12 districts of Jharkhand, attended the event. The event was organized by Prayakerketta Foundation at Ramdayal Munda Kala Bhawan, Hotwar.
Published in the March 2015 issue of the Forward Press magazine
Forward Press also publishes books on Bahujan issues. Forward Press Books sheds light on the widespread problems as well as the finer aspects of the Bahujan (Dalit, OBC, Adivasi, Nomadic, Pasmanda) community’s literature, culture, society and culture. Contact us for a list of FP Books’ titles and to order. Mobile: +919968527911, Email: info@forwardmagazine.in)
