Thursday, January 6, 2011

Vyangyam-The Satire

You must have observed a change in template and title of my blog. Now a word “Vyangyam’ has been suffixed. This first post in 2011 is dedicated to “Vyangyam”, a quarterly little magazine (Laghu Patrika) in Hindi fully devoted to Satire writing and edited by me along with two other like minded writer friends Ramesh Sharma ‘Nishikar’ and Mahesh Shukla from Jabalpur.

‘Vyangya’ in Hindi means Satire, a word very close to my heart as I have been writing satires right from my college days first in Hindi and later in English. Often readers mistake satire to humor but we as a satirist draw a line between the two. While humour is purely for laugh and entertainment, satire is serious thought process with a touch of humour which makes the reader aware of the anomalies in the society in and around, socially & politically.

Going back in time during 70s & 80s, satires were published as filler or under humor section of any Hindi magazine without any regularity. There was not a single full fledged satire magazine in Hindi except ‘Rang chakallas’ from Bombay edited by Mr. Chetan but that too was a mix of humour and satire. Madhya Pradesh was a home for top satirists of those days namely Sri Hari Shankar Parsai and Jabalpur and Sri Sharad Joshi in Bhopal. They were the pillars and inspiration to numerous young writers like me and others.

We three friends decided to fill the gap and idea to start a magazine on satire was born. All the three of us were in clerical grade that time and with no financial backing and any experience in canvassing or marketing decided to go ahead with our plan because of our strong urge and passion. That was the time our country was undergoing a dark period of history called ‘Emergency’ in 1976. There was total censorship on media; right to express was oppressed, opposition leaders were either in jail or underground and those in power were crawling. Satire and humour was first casualty in emergency.  Satirical and humorous English Magazine like ‘Shankar’s Weekly’ was forced to close down because it refused to kneel down. Under the clouds of emergency, our magazine was conceived and we brought out the first issue in January 1977 with 500 copies of the magazine called “Vyangyam” costing Rs.2/-.
                                                                                                              

During its entire period of publication, we three friends were the editors, proof readers, layout designers, office boy, Chai wallah, dispatchers and hawkers, all in one! During 77-78, eight issues of the quarterly magazine were regularly published. The magazine received full support from all the famous and not so famous writers by way of free contribution of articles but in absence of sustained financial support from any quarter, the magazine started sign of fatigue and illness by the time we published its 10th issue. Despite its low cost, the magazine unfortunately could not pick up sales or subscription. To mobilize funds we also published two books and a novel but in vain and soon we were forced to discontinue the magazine in 1979.”Vyangyam” could not be revived again. The closure of the magazine also showed us our many friend writers and well-wishers in their true colors, who drifted away quietly.

Back to 2011, after 31 years I am rededicating this blog of mine to ‘Vyangyam’ by suffixing it to my blog title. Let the flag and the flame of spirit fly high.



16 comments:

  1. You have been doing great stuff with your three friends. I liked the new look.
    Wish you Happy and Prosperous New Year.

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  2. That was quite a story! Good for you to have at least tried something that you were passionate about. Most of us can't even say that for our dreams and passions. You should revive it in a blog form SRA. I am sure it will be a hit.

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  3. Great new look. It would be a terrific idea to revive your magazine. I do hope you'll share some of your work with us. The pictures make me feel so nostalgic - I have a lot of books like that, inherited and collected.

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  4. Through Mail:
    I had a look at your new template and Vyangyam, fascinating stuff.Well, I guess satire is a bit more subtle and there isn't much room for subtelty in among Indians! Are you still in touch with your two friends?
    I like the new design and look forward to reading vyangyam on your blog
    Ishita Sukhadwala
    Editor- 'Verdurez'

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  5. Wonderful new design. This design is very close to my heart because I had the same theme when I started my blog- Anto's Diary and later renamed it as Lifestory and Me, even I feel nostalgic about by starting blog days :)
    Wonderful start to the year sir, keep inspiring us as always :)

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  6. read somewhere.. "Satarist should be regarded as a physian for the society"..... satire, rather "Vyangam" here, is the humorous attempt to bring the change in our society.... so looking forward to see some humorous posts with some serious notes from u sir.....
    BTW thnx a lot for sparing some time n giving ur views at my page. Regards...irfan

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  7. Your blog certainly is in focus amidst all the bokeh!

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  8. Great look sir, and i am sure you have ample subject to write upon (crtsy: politicians scams,journalist gates)
    Revive vyangam sir, it would be good read.

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  9. That's a wonderful way to begin the new year...the new template is far more pleasing to the eye. Looking forward to reading some hard hitting satires.

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  10. Good luck for your new venture...I am sure it will be a resounding success.

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  11. Thanks for sharing the experience and the thoughts.

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  12. Now your dreams have been attached with your blog title and I think title is very apt for your blog.Looking forward for Vyangya and Satire in your blog.Wish you luck for fulfilling your venture.

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  13. A great salute to you and your team of three. One still is with you all from heaven.

    Jabalpur always remember your team. My effort is that the three pillars must be remembered always from the core of hearts for their efforts.

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  14. Thank you Hemantji.
    Now,people like you and friends from Jabalpur are taking it forward.

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