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Subrat SaurabhAuthor of Kuch Woh Pal
Procreation, the Adorable
The Shiv-ling has ever been a matter of amazement and mystery for mankind. That something obscure is there behind the adoration of such a carnal symbol as ling irrespective of the same being that of a deity called Shiv has ever been lingering in my mind. Why should a large majority of population in this land – from north to south - worship the genitals so openly, so brazenly? So reverently! Shiv is supposed to be a mythological persona, in existence too long back in time, who might have been the pioneer in realizing the spectacular qualities of ling and yoni, specifically, those of converting the sthaavar (the insensate) into jangam (the sensate) and those of creating the satva-lok, (conscious beings).
Videh Arvind Kumar
'Videh' Arvind Kumar
In variegated genre he has composed as many as 24 books so far, of which, 14 are in English and 10 in Hindi. Among the Hindi books, there are 03 story anthologies (Anapadh Lipi; Paashaan Yug; Nisarg); 03 poetry anthologies (Aaart Gaan; Kaal Krandan; Ananubhoot Kaal); 01 drama (Ambedkar Smriti); 01 collection of select poetic pieces (Praarthanaa evam Praanaansh). Aside of this, he has compiled, commented, edited and got re-published the first epic of the Khadee Bolee Hindi, the Priya Pravaas; and a book entitled ‘Mahaamuni Vaalmeeki Rachit Itihaas: Raamaayan -- Uttar Kaand’ which presents in succinct prose form the ancient history of India as narrated in the most ancient epic.
As regards English oeuvre of Videh, he has so far published 6 volumes of the long fiction series ‘Hypocrisy & Reality’ (Beyond the Pale; Wilderness of Literacy; Advent of Time; Devoid of Shelter; Price of Refuge; Hatred towards Love) with yet more planned to come. Besides, 01 Comedietta (Chambellion); 01 Short Story collection (Brainy Beasts); 01 Poetry anthology (Bewailing Muse); 01 Drama (Self-styled Sovereign, the Judiciary); 01 book based on the study of mythological volume ‘Shiv Puraan’ in the present day context (Procreation, the Adorable); 01 commentary book on the first novel – ‘A Pale View of the Hills’ -- of the 2017 Nobel Literature laureate, Kazuo Ishiguro (Nagasaki: Bomb & Aftermath) are other books.
Not only an original writer as well as thinker, but also a capable and versatile translator is Videh inasmuch as he has translated in English free verse form 02 Hindi poetry anthologies, viz. ‘Hatyaaree Sadee Mein Jeevan Kee Khoj’ of ‘Nirvikaar’ Mukesh Kumar, and ‘Adrishya Kaa Yathaarth’ of ‘Ashwaghosh’ Omprakash Sharma with the titles of the books being seriatim as ‘Search for Life’ and ‘Reality of Invisible’.
As a latest in his laurels, Videh has been honoured with their highest honour ‘Shubham Ratna’ by the institution ‘Shubham Sahitya, Kalaa Evam Sanskriti Sansthaan’ on the occasion of Hindi Divas, i.e. on 14th September, 2024.
