The Sahitya Akademi needs to get in tune with the times

With the 70-year-old institution caught in a time warp, it must become more accessible and less bureaucratic in order to survive. So I decide to ask writers and academics, only to learn that 20 years ago, Adil Jussawalla raised the same question in The Afternoon Despatch & Courier, in an article titled “What Does The Sahitya Akademi Do?” India’s national body of letters was born in 1954 with a Nehruvian, idealistic aim to archive and propagate Indian literatures. Its website clearly states its purpose: “As India’s premier literary institution, the Akademi preserves and promotes literature contained in twenty-four Indian languages recognised by it through awards, fellowships, grants, publications, literary programs, workshops and exhibitions.” Apart from having a publishing wing, its major awards include the Bal Sahitya for young writers, the Yuva Puraskar for young adults, the Bhasha Samman translation prize, and the iconic Sahitya Akademi Award. I’m grateful that the Akademi exists, giving writers respect, a community, and a destination.” Salma has not won an award but always feels included: “Every time there’s a literary panel or event, they always think of me and invite me.” The poet Vivek Narayanan says: “The Akademi library in Delhi is a place of almost mythic significance—portions of both later books, Life and Times of Mr. S and After were composed there.” For Akshay Shimpi, even having his book, Bincheharyache Kabhinna Tukade, nominated for the Yuva Puraskar was encouragement enough: “It felt like the Akademi was sending me a message: ‘keep writing’. I gather for the first time there was a whole panel in the Akademi elections propped up by one party.” Highlights The Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier literary institution, was formed in 1954 in order to “preserve and promote literature contained in twenty-four Indian languages recognised by it through awards, fellowships, grants, publications, literary programs, workshops and exhibitions.” Today, the Akademi continues to be the only junction for all Indian literatures to meet, but there is a younger generation that does not appear to have even heard of it.