Udeesha Literature Festival Sparks Dialogues on Digital Transformation and Cultural Heritage
The ongoing Udeesha Literature Festival in Moradabad witnessed vibrant discussions on Friday, delving into critical themes shaping contemporary society. Sessions explored journalism in the social media era, the declining relevance of mother tongues, the evolving landscape of radio broadcasting, and the creative challenges faced by Generation Z writers.
Social Media and Journalism: Harnessing the Digital Fire
A thought-provoking session on social media and journalism, moderated by Anjum Sharma, examined how digital platforms have fundamentally transformed news consumption patterns. Speakers drew a powerful analogy, comparing social media to fire—a potent force that requires careful control and management. They noted that just as humanity took centuries to master fire's use, society is still navigating how to responsibly handle social media's immense influence.
The panel expressed concern about children being exposed to technology before learning meaningful usage, whether at educational institutions or within family environments. Importantly, participants agreed that the core crisis isn't shrinking attention spans but rather declining content quality. They emphasized that strong, substantive content continues to command both time and trust from audiences, even in today's fast-paced digital ecosystem.
Preserving Linguistic Identity in a Globalized World
Another significant session titled ‘Mati, Boli aur Manush’ featured insights from Vashisht Anup, Jaykant Singh, and Balchandra Tripathi, focusing on language as cultural identity. Panelists warned that regional languages are increasingly being sacrificed at the altar of convenience and westernization, leading to reduced cultural diversity across communities.
Speakers cautioned against viewing mother tongues through stereotypical lenses, suggesting this approach risks pushing society toward a single, monotonous linguistic landscape. Such homogenization, they argued, could ultimately erase precious cultural roots and heritage that have been preserved through generations of linguistic tradition.
Radio's Transformative Journey Through Technological Eras
An earlier discussion on ‘Akashvani aur FM ki Badalti Duniya’ traced radio's remarkable evolution from traditional broadcasting to FM and digital platforms. Speakers Rehan Ghazal and Ritu Rajput highlighted how radio has successfully adapted through increased listener interaction, maintained credibility, and continuous experimentation with formats.
The panel envisioned radio's future as an innovative blend of emerging technology and creative content delivery, suggesting that the medium's adaptability ensures its continued relevance in the multimedia landscape.
Gen Z Writing: Simplicity, Representation and Practical Creativity
The day concluded with ‘Gen Z Ki Kahaniyan’, where bestselling author Chetan Bhagat spoke candidly about writing, class representation, and creative processes. Bhagat explained his preference for simple language, asserting that effective storytelling doesn't require unnecessary complexity to resonate with readers.
Offering advice to aspiring writers, Bhagat suggested balancing creative passion with practical career considerations. He emphasized that ideas worth expressing should be committed to writing regardless of immediate commercial success, highlighting the intrinsic value of authentic creative expression.
Festival Highlights and Cultural Showcases
Udeesha Sahityotsav continues until January 26, hosting writers, poets, musicians, theatre artists, journalists, and thinkers from across India. The comprehensive program includes sessions on diverse topics including:
- Poetry and storytelling traditions
- Theatre arts and performance
- Journalism ethics and practices
- Mental health awareness
- Social media dynamics
- Artificial intelligence implications
- Contemporary social issues
Each evening features musical performances and cultural presentations, creating a vibrant atmosphere of artistic exchange. The festival also showcases a book fair, art and photo galleries, traditional folk performances, a food festival, and live sand art installations by Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik.
Promoting Cultural Dialogue and Regional Heritage
Moradabad Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh emphasized that the event aims to promote meaningful cultural dialogue while providing a platform for both established and emerging creative voices. The festival strategically showcases Moradabad's rich literary and artistic heritage at a national level, fostering greater appreciation for regional cultural contributions within India's diverse creative landscape.
