UNITY OF INDIAN LITERATURE
- A GLIMPSE

INDIA IS A COUNTRY OF DIVERSITIES. Her languages and life; styles are different from region to region. Customs, dress, food and traditions are also varied. Behind this diversity in external life patterns, there is an inner underlying unity in terms of imaginations, aspirations, beliefs, philosophies, thoughts and feelings. This unity of thoughts makes the nation united and one. Unity in diversity - in thoughts and actions - is the fundamental characteristic of Indian culture.

Indian literature has ancient medieval and modern roots. The philosophy of oneness - unity of all beings - has found expression in poetry, stories dramas and essays in all Indian languages. All Indian literature, without any exception has Bhakti (devotion) content expressed through literary forms. Similarly, stories of Rama, Krishna and a multitude of mythological characters find expression in all Indian languages and dialects. Patriotic fervor, socialistic principles, the search for inner unity, philosophy in action, respect for all beings and many other subjects have been unifying factors among all Indian literature from Kashmiri to Malayalam and Gujarati to Assamese. At the same time, each language's literature has its own beauty, unique ways of expression and poetry. The vastness, depth and aesthetic beauty, continuity and heritage of literature in Indian languages are unique.
In other words, we have literary works spanning centuries, which are based on ancient Indian philosophy as expounded in the Vedic literature along with religious thoughts and tenets emerging from many traditions side by side with expressions of human feelings, values, current sensibilities and the predicament of men and women. We have patriotic, philosophic and creative writings in all languages. We may take the example of Gandhian thought and philosophy, which influenced all Indian writers of the 20th century irrespective of regional and linguistic differences. Present day literature has been deeply influenced by waves of modern thoughts coming from different parts of the world. As a result of advances in science and technology, the whole world has shrunk into a nest for the world community. This finds expression in contemporary Indian literature.

We wanted to create an awareness of this unique unity in diversity in Indian literature beyond linguistic differences.

With this in mind, we have invited to this conference creative writers and scholars representing different languages of India.

We are sure that our goal will be achieved with the participation of eminent representatives of our nation's literary traditions.