‘Ekantanama’: A Precious Gem of the Diary Genre
(mohsina bano)
Delhi. At the World Book Fair held at Bharat Mandapam on Tuesday, the diary ‘Ekantanama’ by young poet and prose writer Om Nagar was formally launched. The event featured renowned poet and playwright Irshad Khan Sikandar as the chief guest, while critic and editor of 'Banas Jan', Pallav, was the special guest. The program was presided over by eminent literary scholar Professor Madhav Hada.
In his address, Irshad Khan Sikandar described ‘Ekantanama’ as a precious gem of the diary genre, highlighting Om Nagar’s innovative and experimental approach to diary writing. He emphasized that the book has become a valuable literary record of the dreadful COVID era. Sikandar praised Nagar’s fluid and engaging language, which makes even profound discussions accessible to readers.
Pallav noted that diary writing in India gained prominence during Mahatma Gandhi's movement, as his followers and satyagrahis considered maintaining diaries an essential practice. He added that even before this, during the era of monarchs, the tradition of keeping daily records, or Roznamchas, existed in India. Pallav described ‘Ekantanama’ as a significant literary creation, stating that Om Nagar’s diary writing reaffirms the importance of non-fiction literature in the new century.
Professor Madhav Hada, in his presidential address, called ‘Ekantanama’ a vivid document of our inner, invisible turmoil. He remarked that the diary suggests even solitude has its own language—one that speaks and interacts with the reader. Apart from the external upheavals of the pandemic, fears, anxieties, uncertainties, imposed isolation, despair, and helplessness found an emotional outlet in this diary. He asserted that ‘Ekantanama’ will take readers back to one of the most terrifying times of this century, compelling them to reflect and introspect.
Earlier, at the Suryaprakashan Mandir stall, publisher Prashant Bissa welcomed the guests and introduced the 60-year journey of their publishing house. He shared that Suryaprakashan Mandir has published the works of several eminent writers in Hindi and other Indian languages.
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