Writing from the margins

Calcutta Booksellers’ Guild awarded the magazine in 2009 for its Rabindra sankha. In 2013,Unmukto Uchhas received the Mahadiganta Award for its contribution to the growth of little magazines.

While Unmukto Uchhas gives scope to Bengali writers in Delhi,Pratichi,an initiative of Chirasree Bishi Chakraborty,has given her magazine an international face by inviting contributions from those living in Bangladesh,Japan,France,Germany,Singapore,China and Africa,among other countries. Pratichi,currently in its 10th year,has also made its presence felt in Kolkata and Mumbai.

“It is very important that those living abroad get the space to write in Bengali.” The magazine has sections on travel,short stories,poems,plays and essays. A few interesting recipes from a particular country in every issue catch the eye.

However,the market value of little magazines is a consistent problem. Chirasree calls Pratichi “a labour of love”. Covering the cost of production is never probably an option for the ones running little magazines,as the number of people who would like to read in the vernacular is dwindling.

Amalesh Ganguly,associated with magazine Anya Thikana,which was first published in 2011,says,“How many people are encouraged to think in Bangla these days? Most people like to take refuge in the language which gives them social prominence.”

Magazines such as Digangan,published from Bengal Association of the Banga Sanskriti Bhavan,and Ajanta,an initiative of the Karol Bagh Bangiya Samsad,have the backing of the club. Nabendu Sen,chairperson of the editing committee of Ajanta,says,“We invite contributions from Kolkata,besides Delhi. The magazine is published thrice a year,but every year in December,we arrange for a seminar which facilitates interesting discussion on a given topic.”

Jayanti Chattopadhyay,who has been bringing out Hindol for the past four years,says,“I feel disappointed after each issue of Hindol is published even after rigorously scanning the content. There is absolutely no response apart from a few letters of feedback.” Hindol,published four times a year,has not been priced. It is financially supported by Jayanti and a few others.

But just as addas continue,so do the publication of these magazines. As Aparna puts it,“Like we spend on bringing up our children,we spend on the little magazines.”