Author Taslima Nasrin discusses changing perceptions of decency and obscenity in literature, freedom of expression and social attitudes at an event in Salt Lake, Kolkata.
Kolkata: Can a literary work be labelled decent or obscene by a fixed set of standards? Or do these perceptions change with time as society’s attitudes and values evolve? These questions formed the focus of a discussion on decency and obscenity in literature held at the BD Auditorium of Sunny Pearls School in Salt Lake on Sunday, October 11. The event, organised by Sunny Pearls School and Virasat Art Publication.
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Ranjan Bandyopadhyay, Rajkumar Mukhopadhyay, Taslima Nasrin, Biplab Ghosh and |
Kolkata: Can a literary work be labelled decent or obscene by a fixed set of standards? Or do these perceptions change with time as society’s attitudes and values evolve? These questions formed the focus of a discussion on decency and obscenity in literature held at the BD Auditorium of Sunny Pearls School in Salt Lake on Sunday, October 11. The event, organised by Sunny Pearls School and Virasat Art Publication.
Eminent author Taslima Nasrin was the principal speaker at the event, which was organised jointly by Birasat Art Publication and Sunny Pearls School. Authors Ranjan Bandyopadhyay, Rajkumar Mukhopadhyay and Shweta Chakraborty also participated in the discussion.
Sharing her views on the subject, Taslima Nasrin argued that there is no fixed or permanent boundary that determines what should be considered obscene in literature. According to her, works that once sparked controversy, faced bans or were criticised on grounds of obscenity can go on to receive literary recognition in later years. Some books that were once prohibited have subsequently found a place in university curricula. The perception of literature, she suggested, is closely linked to the prevailing social attitudes and values of a particular period. As society becomes more open to different ideas and forms of expression, works that were once considered objectionable may come to be viewed differently.
The discussion also explored the relationship between literary expression, freedom of the writer and the boundaries imposed on creative freedom. The speakers exchanged views on how literary works should be evaluated when their themes, language or treatment of sensitive subjects provoke objections. The changing nature of social values and its influence on literary criticism emerged as an important aspect of the conversation.
Sharing her views on the subject, Taslima Nasrin argued that there is no fixed or permanent boundary that determines what should be considered obscene in literature. According to her, works that once sparked controversy, faced bans or were criticised on grounds of obscenity can go on to receive literary recognition in later years. Some books that were once prohibited have subsequently found a place in university curricula. The perception of literature, she suggested, is closely linked to the prevailing social attitudes and values of a particular period. As society becomes more open to different ideas and forms of expression, works that were once considered objectionable may come to be viewed differently.
The discussion also explored the relationship between literary expression, freedom of the writer and the boundaries imposed on creative freedom. The speakers exchanged views on how literary works should be evaluated when their themes, language or treatment of sensitive subjects provoke objections. The changing nature of social values and its influence on literary criticism emerged as an important aspect of the conversation.
Introducing the discussion, writer Biplab Ghosh referred to several acclaimed literary works that had faced obscenity charges, including James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’, regarded as one of the greatest novels of the last century, D. H. Lawrence’s ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’, Buddhadeb Basu’s ‘Raat Bhore Brishti’, Samaresh Basu’s ‘Bibor’ and ‘Prajapati’, and Malay Roy Choudhury’s ‘Prachanda Baidyutik Chhutar’. “Writers have had to stand trial for creating these works, which were labelled obscene. And here we have Taslima Nasrin herself, who has had to bear the burden of death threats and exile for her writing,” Ghosh said. He emphasised that creative works should not be branded obscene merely to serve vested interests. “Let the judgement be left to the hands of time,” he added.
The programme also featured the launch of Taslima Nasrin’s book Jasmine: The Girl Who Keeps Asking Why and The event also witnessed the launch of Biplab Ghosh’s ‘Roilo Na Ar Gopone’ and ‘My Life My Way’, along with Taslima Nasrin’s new book ‘Suicide Note O Anyanya Galpo’, published by Ebong Adhyay. Arrangements were also made to honour writers and poets. Nasrin received the ‘Sudhindranath Dutta Memorial Award’ and the ‘Sunny Pearls School Honour’ at the event. The discussion provided a platform to revisit conventional ideas about decency and obscenity in literature, while highlighting the continuing debate over creative freedom and society’s changing standards of literary acceptability.
The programme also featured the launch of Taslima Nasrin’s book Jasmine: The Girl Who Keeps Asking Why and The event also witnessed the launch of Biplab Ghosh’s ‘Roilo Na Ar Gopone’ and ‘My Life My Way’, along with Taslima Nasrin’s new book ‘Suicide Note O Anyanya Galpo’, published by Ebong Adhyay. Arrangements were also made to honour writers and poets. Nasrin received the ‘Sudhindranath Dutta Memorial Award’ and the ‘Sunny Pearls School Honour’ at the event. The discussion provided a platform to revisit conventional ideas about decency and obscenity in literature, while highlighting the continuing debate over creative freedom and society’s changing standards of literary acceptability.
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