Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 31: A multilingual storytelling session was organized here today by the Hindi Sahitya Mandal Jammu to mark the 146th birth anniversary of the legendary Hindi storyteller Munshi Premchand.
The event, held at Kala Kendra Jammu, was presided over by Prof Kiran Bakshi- former President and current Advisor of the Mandal, and a renowned Hindi storyteller.
Alongside the stories read during the session, a paper titled ‘The Relevance of Premchand in a Globalized World’-authored by Mandal President Dr Chanchal Dogra-was presented. Madhavi Sharma read the paper.
Dr Chanchal Dogra described Premchand’s literature as timeless. She noted that even ninety years after his passing, his literature is not only widely read by newer generations but also extensively and effectively adapted for theatre, films, and television series.
While outlining the Mandal’s activities, Dr Dogra announced that a book based on the life and works of the late Prof Rita Jitendra would be published in September to coincide with her eighth death anniversary.
During the session, storytellers Khalid Hussain, Nirmal Vikram, and Prof Kiran Bakshi read stories in Punjabi, Dogri (Rishtey), and Hindi (Kore Panne), respectively.
In his address. Prof Lalit Magotraa eulogized the contribution of the three writers in their realm of short story writing with their excellent prowess in storytelling in the language of their choice. He complimented the Hindi Sahitya Mandal for organizing such multilingual meets which he said were much needed.
In her presidential address, Prof Kiran Bakshi commended the Mandal for organizing this timely event and congratulated the participating storytellers for their outstanding creative work.
Mandal’s Deputy General Secretary Rakesh Abrol presented vote of thanks. The event was coordinated and compeered by the Mandal’s General Secretary, Manto Dutta Sharma, and Literary Secretary, Uma Sharma. Dr Javed Rahi, Lalit Gupta, Iqbal Khullar, Indarjeet Singh Pujari, Girija Dhar and others were also present on the occasion.
