"I have always written freely on the subjects I feel strongly about. My aim is to
depict reality as it is, not to paint one for the convenience of a reader's conscience."
- Chitra Mudgal
Rare is this amalgamation of gentle sensitivity, utter humility and such superior
intellect. Probably her solace with her wonderful self is the reason behind the
glowing radiance on the face of this 60-year old, which can put a thousand electric
bulbs to shame. Meet the multi-faceted Chitra Mudgal, a renowned and respected figure
in modern literature in Hindi, who is also a dedicated trade unionist, social activist,
virtual mother to slum dwelling women and, at the same time, a doting housewife
and mother. Probably it will be better to say that her wide spectrum of social work
and her unflinching belief in "humanism" defines the world-class writer in
her.
Chitra ji's recent novel 'Avan' - meaning potter's kiln - is hailed as one
of the greatest literary works in Hindi and brought her laurels from world over,
through the symbolic kiln in which the earthen vessels are baked before - a few
emerge as pieces of art, she has epitomized the struggle of factory workers and
women in the socio-political make up of that time. The novel is an honest representation
of her deep and long association with the trade union movement in India during the
times of famous unionist Datta Samant. Such was the impact of this piece of literature
that none other than the noted litterateur Girish Karnad, Director of Nehru Centre,
went on record to quote that the book, deserves an international award analogous
to the Booker Prize. 'Avan' deservingly brought Chitra ji the 'Indu Sharma Katha
Samman' in 2000 by the South Asian Katha Group in London, 'Sahitya Kriti' award
by Hindi Academy in 2000, 'Vir Singh Dev' award by Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Academy
in 2002, and the 'Sahitya Bhushan Samman' by the Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan in
2000. She was also decorated with the Birla foundation's 'Vyas Samman', becoming
the first woman to receive this prestigious award.
Chitra ji's other novel earning rave reviews, is "Gilligaddu", which is a story
by a grandfather for his twin granddaughters. The issue of the rising loneliness
among the senior citizens has been dealt with immense tenderness, while bringing
out the stark indifference practiced by the younger able-bodied generation. Chitra
ji was honored with the Fanishwarnath Renu Sahitya Award for her novel 'Ek Zameen
Apni' by the Gramin Vikas Sangathan in 1994. She has also been a recipient of numerous
awards like the 'Preksha Award' (1986) for National Unity and Integration, Sahitya
Kriti award (1986-87) for her story collection 'Is Hamam Mein' by the Hindi Academy,
Bal Sahitya Award (1986-87) for children's book 'Jungle ka Raaj' by Hindi Academy,
Raja Radhikaraman Prasad Award (1987) for 'Gyaraah Lambi Kahaniyaan' by Rajasthan
Vibhag, Sahityakaar Samman (1995) by the Hindi Academy, Vidula Samman (2001) for
the contribution to Social Services by Vikas Kaya Foundation, Kolkata.
Inspired by the works of Amritlal Nagar and Premchand, Chitra ji is fond of the
writers in Agyeya, Muktibodh, Kamleshwar, Krishna Sobti, Pankaj Bisht and Geetanjalishree
amongst others. Maxim Gorky's "Mother" and Earnest Hemmingway's "Old Men and the
Sea" also left a lasting impression on her. She has written innumerable short stories,
four novels which include, "Avan", "Gilligaddu", "Ek Zameen Apni" and "The Crusade";
three novels and four short story collections for children and a anthology of write
ups. Her writings have been translated not only in other Indian languages but also
in foreign languages like Italian, Czechoslovakian and German, among others. A lot
of her stories have found their way into telefilms, feature films and television
serials like "Ek Kahaani", "Majhdhaar" and "Rishtey". Her stories have also been
included in the curriculum of NCERT Books and various national and international
Universities. Being the true inspiration that she is and in the light of her vast
continuum of work, it is no wonder that Chitraji is today the subject of thesis
for about 27 Ph.D. and 32 M.Phil students.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to claim that Chitra ji is perhaps the only writer
in the Capital today working for a social cause at the grassroots, serving the women
and children of the weaker sections of the society with a mother's concern. A feminist
with a firm belief in equal rights for women, she runs her own organization, Samanvay.
Like her, the motto of her organization is also to awaken the sense of social responsibility
among people. Chitra ji makes it clear that there is no political, financial or
personal ambition associated with this organization and that's the reason why she
hasn't even got it registered. "Whoever is willing to work towards a cause, is welcome
to walk along", she smiles. She is also associated with organizations like 'Stree
Shakti' and the 'Manila Manch' of Uttar Pradesh.
On being questioned whether the scope of a writer's work vista should be limited
to his pen and paper, Chitra ji feels that writers need to go among people to understand
their psyche better in order to create characters whom readers can identify with.
"I share an affinity with my readers", she says, "The love and acclaim I get from
them in the form of letters and phone calls is the driving force behind me".
Truly a woman of substance, even the worst of life's jokes could not deter Chitra
ji from doing what she believes in. She lost her only daughter and son-in-law in
a road accident couple of years ago. "I miss her", she mutters misty-eyed and then
adds on a stronger note, "but I see my daughter in every young girl who is struggling
to establish her existence and that gives me strength to pull myself and work harder
to help as many as I can. There is a degree to which we can work, in our limited
capacity, I try to maximize that degree as much as possible". Her husband Awadh
Narain Mudgal, former Editor of 'Sarika', son, daughter-in-law and three cute little
grandchildren, have staunchly supported Chitra ji's social missionary lifestyle
throughout.
Presently, Chitra ji is working on her latest novel 'Ek Kaali, Ek Safed' (one black,
one white) representing dices of the carom board. The novel is about the present
system that exploits the people in general. Those who control the system are corrupt
and criminal and the black dice represents them. "For more details, read the novel",
she smiles flashing that charming smile and knowingly mouthing a writer's standard
dialogue.
As she escorts me fully mesmerized to the door, a single thought takes me over completely;
"Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing is so gentle as real strength". Believe
me.
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