The DSC Prize for South Asian literature in association with the Sahitya Akademi presented a literary forum on the Influence of the Epics on Modern Indian and South Asian Writing. The event held at the Sahitya Akademi featured eminent author and translator Arshia Sattar who was in conversation with Malashri lal and they discussed various facets of how re-telling of the epics in the modern day context continues to be of relevance and importance and explored why several modern day authors in English continue to create fictional works and novels based on influences and characters from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The continuing relevance of myth in contemporary writing and the interplay of literature, myth and culture in India and the South Asian region were discussed with the help of several examples ranging from the role of Sita, the Kunti-Karna relationship and the magical realism of Hanuman and his feats to the importance of lesser characters like Surpanakha.
An interesting highlight was the extent of the influence of the epics on writings in English which suggested the increased relevance of issues like gender identity, critiques on motherhood, struggles with sexual choices and social conduct which have all been talked about in the epics and which continue to be relevant in today’s urban society. The event was well attended by an audience drawn from all walks of life including writers, students, the academia as well as general readers of fiction.
The DSC Prize is now in its seventh year and the event was part of its vision to widen the conversation around South Asian writing by taking up issues related to writings about the region. The DSC Prize 2017 would announce its longlist in August in New Delhi, the shortlist in london in September and the final winner at the Dhaka literature Festival in November.