Celebrating the Legacy of Shrilal Shukla: A Grand Centennial Event in Prayagraj

Prayagraj witnessed a vibrant celebration of the Shrilal Shukla Centennial on March 20, held at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan's Jupiter Auditorium in Gomti Nagar. The event was organized by the Language, Literature, and Culture Cell of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO).

The celebrations were inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, alongside distinguished attendees including Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Cooperative Minister J.P.S. Rathore, IFFCO Chairman Dilip Sanghani, and Managing Director Dr. Uday Shankar Awasthi. The day began with the inauguration of an exhibition featuring photographs and books, commemorating Shukla’s literary journey.

Mesmerizing Performances and Insightful Sessions

The highlight of the event was a captivating reading from Shrilal Shukla's iconic novel Rag Darbari, brought to life by acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi and emerging artist Ashok Pathak. Their expressive recital captured the essence of Shukla's satire, leaving the audience spellbound.

The second session, titled Shrilal Shukla: Kuch Rang, Kuch Raga, saw veteran writer Mahendra Bhishm reflecting on Shukla's literary contributions. Ministers Surya Pratap Shahi and J.P.S. Rathore also shared personal anecdotes and insights on the influence of Shukla's works in their lives. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha praised Shukla's unique storytelling that continues to resonate in contemporary society.

A thought-provoking discussion followed in the third session, titled Rag Darbari: Past, Present, and Future. Storyteller Himanshu Vajpayee, literary scholar Dr. Jai Prakash Kardam, and editor Ashutosh Shukla debated the enduring relevance of Rag Darbari in today's sociopolitical landscape.

In the fourth session, attendees enjoyed a documentary on Shrilal Shukla's life and work, directed by poet-filmmaker Devi Prasad Mishra. The film provided an intimate portrayal of the author’s journey, highlighting his dedication to literature and societal commentary.

The fifth session, In the Mirror of Memories, welcomed an esteemed panel of writers and artists, including poet Naresh Saxena, translator Vandana Mishra, author-editor Akhilesh, and storyteller Shivmurti. They shared personal experiences and reflections on Shukla's impact on Hindi literature. Radio producer Anamika Srivastava and young writer Utkarsh Shukla also contributed their perspectives.

Concluding the centennial celebration was a theatrical adaptation titled Kahani Shivpal Ganj Ki, presented by the Darpan Natya Manch, Lucknow. The play, based on Rag Darbari, vividly portrayed the satirical brilliance of Shukla's narrative. Following the performance, IFFCO Managing Director Dr. Uday Shankar Awasthi honored the artists on stage.

Dr. Nalin Vikas, Chief Manager of IFFCO’s Language, Literature, and Culture Cell, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants and contributors for making the centennial celebration a memorable tribute to Shrilal Shukla's literary legacy.

Report by Zainul Abdin