The Little Magazine Movement in India by Patrichia Dcruze

September 16, 2023

The Little Magazine Movement in India by Patrichia Dcruze

During the 1950s and 1960s, India experienced a profound cultural renaissance owing to the emergence of the Little Magazine Movement. This movement, akin to its Western counterpart in the early 20th century, gained momentum in various Indian languages such as Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Hindi, Malayalam, and Gujarati. These modest yet influential literary periodicals evolved into vibrant platforms for showcasing creative and intellectual perspectives, challenging prevailing social norms, and nurturing a fresh wave of writers and artists.

In the context of Little Magazine Movement, a memorable name that can never be forgotten is that of Sandip Dutta. Dutta took the initiative to create a library exclusively for little magazines, which has since become a significant resource for researchers studying lesser-known but important Bengali literature writers, primarily those who contributed to little magazines. Since its establishment, the library has been invaluable for scholars in this field.

Dutta was a familiar face at the Kolkata Book Fair and other book fairs and little magazine fairs across the state. He would don a cap and t-shirt adorned with slogans advocating the reading and purchase of little magazines. At the age of 21, during a visit to the National Library in Kolkata, he stumbled upon neglected little magazines covered in dust in a corner. Witnessing the lack of regard for these publications in various esteemed libraries across West Bengal, he was moved to create a specialized library exclusively for them. In words of Dutta : “I prefer an adda. These are all stories, aren’t they? One flows through the others, with little structure.”

In 1978, Dutta transformed his vision into reality by establishing the 'Kolkata Little Magazine Library and Research Centre' in his modest two-room residence at Tamer Lane, Kolkata. Over time, the library grew significantly, becoming a treasure trove of rare Bengali little magazines not only from West Bengal but also from Bangladesh and other Indian states. “If you go through little magazines of a particular era you will discover unknown facets which did not find their way into the more visible literature of the time,” Dutta says.

During a period of sociological and political transition, the Little Magazine Movement in India served as a catalyst for artistic expression. These periodicals offered writers, poets, and painters a different setting where they could express their creativity unrestricted by social norms. With the help of periodicals like Krittibas and Shukla, which included experimental literature and art, the movement gained traction in languages like Bengali.

The Little Magazine Movement was characterized by its ability to question cultural norms and traditional ideologies, creating a platform for writers and artists to express their discontent, criticize established norms, and challenge authority.

The Little Magazine Movement offered a nurturing space for budding writers and artists. It served as a springboard for young and aspiring writers, poets, and artists who often struggled to gain recognition in mainstream media. These magazines fostered an environment of collaboration and friendship among like-minded individuals, leading to the formation of artistic groups and movements. As a result, well-known writers like Sunil Gangopadhyay, Shakti Chattopadhyay, Namdeo Dhasal, and Kunwar Narain gained initial recognition through the movement before eventually achieving national prominence.

The little magazines and their movements illustrate the ever-changing nature of Bengali 'reality and relativity' and their challenge to established centers of authority and imposed norms in their domain. Before the eruption of the little magazine movement phenomenon, Bengali literature remained under the control and canonization of the Kolkata-based bourgeois class.

The Little Magazine Movement has had a lasting impact on the Indian literary landscape, revolutionizing the way literary expression was approached and challenging the monopoly of traditional publishing houses. By providing a platform to marginalized voices and alternative narratives, these periodicals played a crucial role in shaping the cultural and intellectual discourse of the time. The movement gave rise to numerous renowned authors and creatives who introduced innovative literary themes and approaches. Moreover, its influence extended beyond its initial era, inspiring subsequent generations of writers and artists to explore unconventional concepts and push the limits of their creative mediums.

Marathi Little Magazine Movement

The movement to establish Maharashtra as a predominantly Marathi state had a significant impact on both the Marathi-speaking population and those who spoke other languages. It compelled everyone to reconsider their sense of identity and their relationship with society. Concurrently, amidst the street battles of this movement, there were little magazines like Shabda (in Marathi, edited by Ramesh Samarth, Chitre, and Kolatkar, among others, in 1955) and Quest (in English, edited by Nissim Ezekiel, from 1954 to 1957) that sought to ignite a new form of poetic expression in Bombay.

Sudipta Kaviraj points out that linguistic identity is not merely determined by the objective fact of people sharing a common language; rather, it is a conscious choice to regard this linguistic bond as the fundamental criterion of their identity. While the advocates of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement embraced a monolingual Marathi identity, the poets of the little magazine movement resisted such rigid categorization. They expressed their opposition to such narrow limitations through their translations and demonstrated a more inclusive and open approach to language and identity.

Tamil Little Magazine Movement

The inception of the little magazine movement can be traced back to C.S. Chellappa's Ezhuthu in 1959. Ezhuthu had a distinct ambition to actively shape its readers' literary preferences rather than merely catering to them. The magazine made two significant contributions to the literary landscape: the development of Pudhu Kavidhai (new poetry) and modern literary criticism. Pudhu Kavidhai rejected traditional prosodic norms in favor of a style characterized by "economy of words, precise diction, and limited description." It was Chellappa's literary rival, Ka. Naa. Subramaniam (Ka. Naa. Su), who pointed out this shortcoming to him in the 1950s, emphasizing the urgent need for a modern critical framework.

During this period, literary magazines were generally disinterested in discussing political or social matters, as they believed that the literary realm should be self-sufficient. However, they were not entirely apolitical. The unstated politics of these magazines conflicted with the ideologies of the Dravidian movement, which was in its prime and had an influential presence, producing over 200 magazines that wielded significant sociocultural influence.

Conclusion

Every day, a myriad of little magazines emerges, varying in size from the 16-page Sahitya Setu edited by Jagabandhu Kundu to the extensive four hundred-page Kabitirtha, helmed by Utpal Bhattacharjee. The little magazine movement has seen a surge in publications ranging from fortnightly to annual, often edited by inexperienced teenagers to seasoned individuals in their eighties. While many of these magazines feature a combination of poetry and fiction, some even venture to publish novels and drama. However, there are specific magazines dedicated solely to fiction, drama, or poetry.

FAQS

1)What is the history of little magazines?

The Little Magazine Movement emerged as a radical and revolutionary socialistic movement during pre-independent India. Referred to as "small magazines," these publications featured experimental writings from lesser-known writers. Alongside the vast anti-colonial freedom movements, the 'Little Magazine' phenomenon played a crucial role in motivating the common people to step out of their homes and participate spontaneously in pan-Indian activities.

2)What is the Little Magazine Movement in India?

The Little Magazine Movement in India refers to a literary and cultural phenomenon that emerged during the mid-20th century. It involved the publication and distribution of small, independent literary magazines or 'little magazines' that provided a platform for writers, poets, and artists to express their creative works and ideas.

3)What were the key objectives of the Little Magazine Movement in India?

The primary objectives of the Little Magazine Movement in India were multifaceted. Firstly, it aimed to foster a literary environment that encouraged unconventional and experimental forms of writing and art. Secondly, these magazines sought to provide a space for marginalized voices, promoting regional literature, and preserving indigenous cultural expressions.

4)How did the Little Magazine Movement influence the literary landscape in India?

The Little Magazine Movement had a profound impact on the literary landscape of India. It facilitated the emergence of new literary talents and provided a platform for established writers to experiment and explore diverse themes. These magazines played a crucial role in promoting regional languages and indigenous literary traditions, which might have otherwise been overshadowed by dominant languages like English and Hindi.

Reference Links :

Picture Credit

The Wire
The Telegraph India
Wikipedia

Search This Blog

lampshade writers