Noted Hindi writer Mamta Kalia, who has been chosen for this year's Vyas Samman for her novel 'Dukkham Sukkham', today outlined the significance of diverse expressions of grief and struggle by women writers, saying they contribute to creating an environment of positivity in society.
Kalia, 77, shared her happiness on being chosen for the Samman with PTI in an interview. She said she was delighted that another woman writer, Krishna Sobti, has been given the Gyanpeeth Award this year.
"These awards bring a change in the mindset of people with respect to women writers," Kalia said.
She said the society at large would benefit from diverse expressions of women writers. "A positive atmosphere is shaping up within the society with women writers coming out with their experiences, griefs and struggles in life," she said.
Kalia, who was born in 1940 in Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, has 11 novels to her credit and a dozen collections of short stories.
Her novel 'Dukkham Sukkham' is a saga of a lower middle- class family's three generations. The literary work focuses on the transition in relationships and situations of our society.
Talking about the novel, she said it was based on the influence Mahatma Gandhi had on women.
"The title Dukkham Sukkham (Sorrow-Happiness) was inspired by late Ravindra Kalia," she said, remembering her husband, a well-known Hindi story writer of his time.
There are very few writings about the influence of Mahatma Gandhi on women, though he inspired a large number of women during India's freedom struggle to give up silk sarees and adopt 'khadi'.
"This is a new type of feminism that instills positivity in the society," she said.
Kalia received her MA degrees in English from the Delhi University and then joined the SNDT College in Mumbai as a lecturer. In 1973, she joined a degree college in Allahabad and finally retired from there in 2001.
Her works include 'Beghar', 'Sapnon Ki Home Delivery', 'Culture-Vulture', 'Nirmohi' and 'Kum Bolne Wali Aurat'.
She is also a recipient of Yashpal Samman, Sahitya Bhushan Samman, Vaggdevi Samman and other honours.
Vyas Samman is given annually to an outstanding work of Hindi literature by an Indian citizen published in the last 10 years.
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