Exploring the trends of literature with Naresh Saxena and Irshad Kamil

On the inaugural show of Dear Sahitykar Sammelan, an initiative of Credent TV, Sunil Narnaulia, Founder Director of the Dear Sahityakar Sammelan, Chief Advisors Dr. Durgaprasad Agrawal, Mr. Nand Bhardwaj and Welcome the Chief Guest of the show were famous poet Dr Naresh Saxena, and famous bollywood lyricist Irshad Kamil and Shailendra Fellow Indrajeet Singh. The 6 days program is dedicated to literature and society.

Receding literature and increasing cinema

Dr. Naresh Saxena said, Traces of literature in newspapers have been decreasing rapidly. Poetry reading programs that used to happen are also shut due to the pandemic. We are living in the world of cinema which is keeping the songs alive. Newborn babies are not made to listen to the old Lullabies now rather they hear Bollywood songs.

Hence comes the role of a good lyricist who can inculcate the attributes of folk music imbibed with meaning in their songs. The responsibility of keeping the tradition alive is on them today. Dr. Naresh Saxena thanked Mr. Irshad Kamil for fulfilling his responsibility.

Language, Grammar, and Thoughts play a huge role in writing a poem. What are the other factors that make a poem everlasting?

Dr. Naresh Saxena said, the foremost thing to keep in mind is to make sure that your poem generates emotions in the reader which is the ultimate aim. The other two factors that play a major role are simplicity of the poem and rhyme. The words should be able to hit the heart of the reader directly.

He quoted Irshad Kamil’s “Sadda haq, Aithe rakh” and showed how this is only a 4 word slogan but creates a powerful effect.

How Irshad Kamil’s lyrics keep the tradition alive

Irshad Kamil’s songs are so much appreciated for the fact that they are meaningful. We are seeing the songs being composed today, double meaning and obscene. To quote few lines from Irshad Kamil’s lyrics, “O Hariyaali jungle waali, Tu de har gaali pe taali”, “Me un logo ka geet jo geet nahi sunte.” These lines are an evidence of how he is connected to nature and his songs are for public good. Cinema in today’s era has become for the elite group and doesn’t cater to the working class. So giving them a space in music is a commendable thing. Literature travels with time, we still have Mira and Khusrau with us today.

Formulae of writing heart touching poems

There’s absolutely no formula to it. It solely depends on the passion of a writer. It’s about how much time you can spend with your poem and thoughts until you get the right words that fit in the rhyme. Dr. Naresh Saxena said, “Sometimes my poems get completed in days or months or even years because of the search for the correct word that satisfies me. A writer is in the continuous process of invention. There are innumerable thoughts that pass through his mind. Patience and deep thinking can get you there.”

Dr. Naresh Saxena said a mantra for life “Don’t get afraid of the challenges in life. You don’t know what you are capable of. Bigger the problem, the bigger the capacity of fighting generates within you.”

How do Irshad Kamil balance between good lyrics and time constraints?

Irshad Kamil said, “Obviously, it is significant to make sure that the song is written on time. But I do not compromise with the lyrics. As a lyricist I try to find my spot where I can talk about things that are important in today’s scenario. Also, I try to give recognition to literature in my lyrics.”