By Harsh
Thakor
HAIL THE 50TH YEAR OF VIRASAM WHICH IS A HISTORIC
LANDMARK IN THE COMMUNIST AND REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT WORLDWIDE. INSPITE OF
FACING ALL OBSTACLES THE FLAME OF VIRASAM STILL FLASHES AFTER 50 YEARS LIKE AN
INEXTINGUISHABLE STAR SHIMMERING THE FLAME OF MAOISM.LIKE A BOULDER RESISTING
THE MOST HAZARDOUS GALE IT HAS WITHSTOOD THE FASCIST THREAT ESPECIALLY OF THE
SAFFRON VARIETY PLANTING SEEDS FOR NEW ROSES TO BLOOM TO CIT OUT THE POISONOUS
WEEDS.ABOVE ALL IT HAS NOT BEN MECHANICAL BUT BEEN MORE CREATIVE THAN ANY
REVOLUTIONARY WRITERS GROUP IN INDIA IN APPLYING MARXISM ESPECIALLY WITH LIGHT
TO BRAHMANICAL FEUDALISM AND SAFFRON FASCISM. NO MASS
ORGANIZATION HAS DEFENDED THE MAOIST MOVEMENT IN DANDKARANYA OR IDEOLOGY OF
MAOISM IN AS MUCH DEPTH AS MUCH AS VIRASAM. THEY ARE SOLDIERS WITH THE PEN WITH
FASCSIM AT ITS CRESCENDO AND IT IS IRONICAL THAT ITS FOUNDING MEMBER VARVARA
RAO IS IMPRISONED. IT WAS A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO
WITNESS THE CONFERENCE WHICH REMINDED ME OF A STAR RESSURECTING ITSELF IN
ANEW FORM.
IT HAS UNITED A VAST RANGE OF DEMOCRATIC INTELLECTUALS, WRITESR
AND POETS IN A UNITED ANT-FASCIST FRONT OPPOSING ANY SECTARIANISM.
This year on July 4th the Virasam or Revolutionary
Writers Association turns 50. It is a landmark day in the history of the Indian
Communist or Revolutionary movement as it pioneered the igniting of the spark
of Naxalbari and Mao thought in the field of literature. Thus its formation
defined a new epoch in the Indian literary revolutionary movement. For half a
century withstanding the most powerful tides of Neo-fascism it has stood up
like a boulder in defending the essence of Marxist-Leninist ideology by
creating genuine anti-feudal and anti-imperialist literature. No organization
in the history of Indian revolutionary Movement has matched the quality of the
writings or poems Virasam in terms of revolutionary democratic depth. It
shimmered the flame of Naxalbari and Srikaulam political line with consistency
and depth equaled by no other organization existing today. Even in the darkest
days it could resurrect itself like a phoenix from the Ashes to enable new
roses to bloom, with the spirit of an army. It nurtured many an individual into
dipping their ink or brush to express revolutionary creativity at it's deepest
depth: Creativity. The writings, poems and art work reflected the very soul of
the oppressed masses, particularly that of the peasantry. It founded a style
which could reach the hearts of the people at the very core.
Today Virasam is the only political organization which
defends the politics of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism or the Maoist movement in
Dandakaranya that can function openly. It defied a ban imposed in 2005 and
eventually got it repealed but is been a victim of several attacks by the state
with hundreds of its members implicated in false cases, till now. It is ironic
that since 50 years since its inception it’s founding member Vara Vara Rao is
behind the bars, being framed as a conspirator as an 'urban Maoist. Just a
fortnight ago its newly elected secretary Kasim was arrested on charges of
sedition. These are ample illustrations of how Virasam has boldly raised its
voice against Saffron fascism and been a major thorn in the flesh for them. No
mass organization in the country is confronting saffron Hindutva fascism at
it's very core at an ideological level as Virasam.
Virasam was founded in the context of Naxalbari and
Srikakulam struggles and murder of revolutionary writer Subbarao Panigrani.
What was remarkable that it was founded when the Communist Party India(Marxist
Leninist) had formally disallowed the formation of mass organizations. Thus
morally the Naxalbari and Srikakulam struggles were the precursor of VIRASAM.
In the same year, Virasam was formed, with revolutionary
poet Srirangam Srinivasa Rao as the founding president, and Digambara Kavulu,
Rachakonda Vishwanatha Shastri, Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao, Vara Vara Rao,
Chalasani Prasad, Krishna Bai as members. This was a watershed moment in the
struggle, as several revolutionary songs and writings were later translated
into all Indian languages, to build a united forum for creative resistance.
The founder-president of Virasam was poet Sri Sri and its
founding vice-presidents were Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao and Rachakonda
Viswanath Shastri .K.V.Ramanna Reddy was its first general secretary. The
architects behind it were Vara vara Rao and Kondapalli Settharamiah.
Virasam took its birth just a few days before the
martyrdom of Vempatapu Satya naranya and Adivatla Kailasam, 2 major leaders of the Srikakulam movement who
were captured and killed. The main objective of its formation was to demarcate
from revisionism prevailing in the Progressive writers Association and
illuminate the path of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in China
1. Objective of Marxian Socialism
2. Unite writers who recognize and support peoples
struggles.
3. Support peoples struggles irrespective of the form
they took
4. Establish complete economic independence of the
country.
5. Creating a new democratic system removing all remnants
of capitalist, feudal and colonial remnants.
6. Create proletarian internationalism
7. Wholeheartedly support peoples liberation struggles
worldwide
A 2 line struggle took shape within Virasam on the issue
of whether Marxism-Leninism-Mao thought ideology should be an integral part of
the manifesto. A certain section of comrades influenced by the line of T. Nagi
Reddy opposed it claiming it was a form of imposition of ideology on the
people. They produced what was known as the 'Oldga document' which was
supported by Jwalamukhi. It claimed that a mass organization can only be
anti-feudal and anti-imperialist but including Mao thought would alienate it
from the broad masses. This group in 1975 left in January 1975 and held a
conference in Anantapur. In 1973,Varavara Rao and MT Khan produced a counter
document known as the 'KS Document(Kondapalli Setharamiah) which countered the
Oldgha document. In the Kanoor conference in 1974 Mao thought was officially
proclaimed in the manifesto. In 1979 the Chandra Pulla Reddy group too opposed
introduction of Mao thought and formed their own group in September 1985 after
earlier producing a document in 1979 called Namma document.
For decades Virasam not only enriched the history of
Telugu literature but also of Indian literature. In the 1st stage of formation
it lit the spark of the sacrifices of the martyrs by publishing poetry
shimmering or resurrecting the very essence of their spirit. Their poetry even
encompassed the mainstream of Telugu literature. Subbara Panigrahi was their
role model who dipped his pen along with his weapon to resurrect the flame of
the Telengana armed struggle by advocating the writers to adopt popular art
forms in the countryside. Many a boy and girl youth was inspired in the manner
of a new spirit infused into them, reminiscent of what Lu Hsun and Maxim Gorky
did in their day.
Classic examples of works are a poems and songs of
Subbarao Panigrahi "Kondu Bigubhu Teleginatti/Kondu jati Birura, Uppenayale
oyakkasari/Lechi mundhu Korajara (Arise you brave Adivasis /Flex your
muscles/Pounce on the class enemy like a thunderstorm. "Other poems of
Panigrahi include ‘Redness’’.
Chear banda Raju wrote "Ours is the age of
revolution" while Sri Sri wrote "Final Journey: First Victory."
One of the most impactful activities of Virasam was it's
participation in 'go to Villages campaigns ' where it received firsthand
experience of the day to day lives and struggles of of the people .It gave
memories of the Yenan spirit of revolutionary China and gave a major boost in
shaping their artistic skills or style. Virasam Welfare Patshalas or Schools
also facilitated members to interact and share their experience. For a long
time it worked in tandem with the Jana Natya Mandali,the Radical Youth league
and the Radical Students Union .and acted as the breeding ground for many a new
student, youth or cultural activist.Virasam stitched the threads for Organizations
like the Radical Students Union and League to bloom .
By the Eighth conference fifteen books were published
including Maro Jhanjha, Maro (Another Whirlwind) Prasthanam,(Another
direction)Sastriya Vijanamam,(Art and Scientfic knowledge) ,Tullugullo Kavita
Viplaba Swarupam(The nature of revolution in Telugu poetry)and Rytu Coolie
Porata Potharu(Anthology of songs of peasant struggles)
In the last decades it published hundreds of books in
literary forms including collected works of Sri Sri in twenty volumes,
Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao's non -fiction writings in eight volumes, and
Cherabandu Raju's writings in several volumes. Its first anthology of poetry
called 'jhanjha" carried a poem named "Narudo Bhaskaruda which is
said to have defined a new landmark in Telegu poetry. Thousand short stories
were printed. The form of novel was innovated portraying the highs and lows of
the ever day lives of the broad masses.Virasam developed literary criticism in
a higher form basing it on deep historical and philosophical traditions.
One of Virasam's notable losses in recent years has been
that of Chelasani Prasad, who was one of its founding members and till his last
breadth defended revolutionary ideology with his literary work.
I have been privileged in attending programmers of
Virasam in the last 4 years which include 2 state conferences, 2 public
meetings and one seminar. I was most impressed with the seminar it organized
commemorating the 50th anniversary of Naxalbari in September 2017..No mass
organization shimmered the flame of Naxalbari in its 50th anniversary year as
Virasam did who invited a huge spectrum of intellectuals from different states
and spheres .It gave a most analytical historical projection of naxalbari and
its aftermath, giving most accurate appraisal and self -criticism.
Boldly former secretary Varalaxmi reflected on how at
several junctures genuine armed struggle could not be consolidated and
bourgeois parties or ruling class forces took over the genuine people’s
movements. She reflected how the armed movements were not sufficiently
sharpened to combat the fascist attacks by the state.
The political weaknesses of mass organizations were
summarized in a paper by N.
Vernon Gonzalves ,of Mumbai, reflected on Naxalbari's
impact on Social movements in general where he threw light on relevance of the
movement in confronting fascism. He threw light on the plight of the dalits and
minorities with particular reference to Maharashtra .
Although the comrade was not present a most comprehensive
paper was presented on the Movement in Bihar which in dialectical depths
analyzed the deviations and mass line in practice in Bihar .
Self-critically it summed up the inability to penetrate into the urban ares or
working class .In immaculate detail it summarized how the revolutionary peasant
comities distributed land and how the revolutionary armed squads confronted the
senas of upper caste landlords.
Sukhwinder Kaur from Punjab
addressed the historical developments after Naxalbari discussing the
Bhakra-Samaon movement and the repression in falsely staged encounters on
activists like Baba Bhooja Singh.
Seema Azad from Uttar Pradesh touched upon the trend of
fascism prevailing and how naxalbari shaped the thinking and cultural level of
the common people.
Vir Sathidar portrayed the practices of Brahmanical
fascism in Maharastra with the persecution of dalits in every sphere and the
history of the dalit panther movement. One of the most significant aspects
discussed was the one of how to integrate caste struggle with class struggle
and an important platform was given to Vir Sathidar on this aspect.
No organization has shimmered the flame of the maoist
movement in Dandakaranya like Virasam who held meetings commemorating the 10th
anniversary of formation of Janata Sarkars in Dandakaranya and when the
massacres of Adivasis took place in Bijapur in Orissa in no time it organized a
state level protest meeting in November,in 2016..One of its senior members Comrade
Paani wrote a book on how the struggle in Dandakarnya transformed the very base
of the social lives of the people by creating revolutionary alternative
structures run by the Adivasis. Tooth and nail it has confronted all
ideological attacks on the Maoist party and movement .Surpassing the intensity
of any other group in confronting what it theorizes as 'Brahmanical fascism "it
has struggled to bring within its manifold democratic dalit organizations and
movements and those of Muslim minorities. Resembling the flow of river water
flowing it has continuously published books or poems of revolutionary martyrs. Above
all it has harnessed all its energy in uniting or bringing into its camp
writers who are even not Marxist but generally revolutionary democratic or
anti-fascist. Above all it has not mechanically applied Marxism-Leninism-Maoism
but has given it most creative forms in context of the situation prevailing. Annually
it has held patshalas on topics like the Brahmanical fascism ,fascist essence
of Hinduism,semi-feudal economic relations, etc.
One valid criticism could be made of VIRASAM placing
ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism in its manifesto as a perquisite for
membership which may thus fail to integrate all genuinely democratic sections.
This criticism was made by the Peoples Literary Cultural Federation 4 decades
ago which led to splits within Virasam.
On January 11-12th Virasam held its 27th state conference
in Hyderabad
Tracing through the protests in Aligarh Muslim University
followed by attacks on Jawaharlal Nehru University where students were
agitating against fee hike, he noted that scrapping of Article 370A and 35A was
“beginning of the end” for the government which had won with brute majority
just a year ago. In his view virtually a new epoch was written in India
In Shaheen Bagh, Muslim women, who have never been part
of any protest, came out and stood against the “fascist regime”, he observed,
and said people of all religions and walks of life stormed the streets of
Kolkata in protest against CAA. Ruling class is now in trouble, owing to
people’s resistance, he added.
He likened the present day’s youth resistance to the 1970
era when Virasam was founded.
Poet Yakoob, too, spoke. Revolutionary red flag and
Virasam flag was hoisted, and Martyr’s memorial unveiled.
Yakub, president of the invitation committee of the
Virasam Convention, said Hindu fascism was growing, and that the responsibility
of such organizations had increased. People facing all types of persecution
have to stand up and fight. "The situation in the country is getting
worse. The Modi-Shah duo has come to power at the center for the second time.
Violence against the minorities has increased," said Ahmad Khan. on He
said that the government has been given the right to quash all civil liberties
and that all people must seize the opportunity defend the secular democratic
rights of the country.
In a keynote speech, Secretary Pani described the
fifty-year-long journey in building the creative resistance. He summed up the
co-relation between the material lives of the people and its relationship with
art and culture and how Virasam established revolutionary art and literature.
They upheld the creativity of the people and brought the class struggle into
literature and art. He explained that the language and style of the struggling
citizens and the oppressed people were embraced by the aspirations of the
social liberation aspirations, movements and factions.
The activist and writer of the Bhopal Movement, writer
Ririn Muhil, said that the broad masses should be able to reflect on the
stories and movements of the masses. He was of the opinion that good children's
literature should be brought to light in the light of Praja movements. He said
that children's literature is only half as much in progressive literature as
required.
Afterwards, KKS Das, a Dalit poet and writer from Kerala,
spoke, on how the Communist Party is in a state of disarray and how Brahmanical
fascism was the very basis of Hindu philosophy. In his view the Communist
parties totally neglected the aspect of caste. He summarized how the language
policy of the rulers was so autocratic, suppressing the native dialects.
Hemanta Dalpathi, an Adivasi poet of Orissa, described
the civic life and life of Aboriginal people touching upon the economic
monopoly over the economy and seizure Adivasi land by the corporate. with the
blessings of the ruling BJP. Karnataka writer and cultural activist,
Nagegiri Ramesh spoke about Karnataka's public affairs
and the BJP's government's imprisonment of democrats..
Comrade Ravunni stressed that the target should not only
be the ruling BJP but the fascist nature of the social order as a whole and in
depth condemned how revisionism or neo-liberalism collaborated with fascism.
Poets and artists like .Siva Reddy. Andhrajyothi editors
K Sivakumar condemned fascism which they felt was reaching a crescendo and
taking a new form.
Talking about the revolutionary literary movement is not
an easy task, says Virasam secretary elect Professor Kasim. Said that "50
years of history marks fascism ar at it's crescendo". He said writing
politics is inseparable from writing and it has been proven since ancient
times. He said that the revolutionary literary movement played an important
role in all literary processes, highlighting popular struggles. He touched on
the series of democratic activists framed on false sedition charges.
Sangishetti Srinivas (Singidi), Taidala Anjayya
(marasam), Bhupathi Venkateswaras (Telangana Sahiti), Shikhamani, Kondepudi
Nirmala, KN Malliswari (Prasave) (Narasvaram) Venugopal (Viewing Editor),
Nallela Rajaya (Warangal Writers Association), c. Rammohan (Palamooru Study
Plaza), Chaman (Telangana Chaitanya Sahitya), Sajaya called for the masses to
ignite the anti-fascist spark to build a prairie fire. Comrade Allam Rajjiah
delivered a speech summarizing fascism which created ripples in the audience.
Professor Haragopal, Ratnamala, Nalluri Rukmini and G.
Kalyanrava participated in the concluding session, Resolutions were adopted on
the various repressive acts of the government like introduction of NRC or CAA
,releasing of 'urban Maoists', 'release of Professor Saibaba' Scraping of UPA
law, justice for Muslims in Babri Masjid verdict etc. The Revolutionary Writing
Committee has elected a new committee to address the congress.
It was heart touching witnessing the cultural programmes
and songs with a cultural team from the Revolutionary Students Front or Red
Lantern group from West Bengal performing many songs and even jointly coming on
stage with the Praja Mandali Cultural team comrades of Andhra Pradesh and
Telengana.Although young and small in size the contingent from Bengal evoked
the hearts of all the delegates with their powerful voices. Sad not to see
participation of delegates from states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Punjab
or from other constituents of the revolutionary camp.
The Revolutionary Writers Association (the) elected the
new executive committee with a new secretary and President. The office bearers
elected are as named below:
President - Arasavelli Krishna,
Vice President - baasith
Secretary - Professor Kasim
Assistant Secretary – Rivera
1 comment:
Post a Comment