Literature essential to be connected to humanity, claims Javed Akhtar

Pune: In the times of globalization and free markets, the process of thinking has become self-centric but literature is the only thing that connects one to humanity and broadens horizons, said noted Bollywood writer Javed Akhtar on Saturday.

Speaking as chief guest at a two-day Virtual Literary Festival organized by Symbiosis Institute here, he said that in olden times there was a lot of literature and it was passed on from one generation to the next which also made its contribution to rich literary heritage.

"But now, unfortunately, my generation has failed to pass on this great heritage to the younger generation. The younger generation has a little knowledge of our traditions, folk art, poetry, language. They have a shorter vocabulary than the older generation. Our literature has not reached them and we are responsible for this," he observed.

"Language is the vehicle that carries literature. If you cut off your child from his or her mother tongue, then you are actually cutting a child from his roots. If the roots are not strong, then how will the tree grow or spread? It is important to be rooted to fly in the sky. Literature can act as your roots for life," the lyricist noted,

"When you have control over the language then only you will be able to communicate. Literature is the treasure of expression. Today we need literature, poetry, art, folk art, as never before," Akhtar added.(UNI)