Literature and Struggle: Folk Literature

Based on the arguments of the members of Progressive Writers' Association, Sanjay Muttu and Saman Habib conceived the idea of 'Aasmaan Hilta Hai Jab Gaate Hai Hum (The Sky Shakes When We Sing)', which was organised at Studio Safdar in Delhi on October 13.

In order to bring forth a change in the trend of literature being written by the rich and for the rich, the progressive writers started the dalit rights discourse in the 1930s. They also associated with Indian Progressive Theatre Association (IPTA) and cinema. As a result, issues like women's rights, casteism, plight of farmers and workers, class struggle, communalism and a collective effort to fight for these issues were taken to the people through the new wave cinema.

In this episode, we will listen to a part of Krishna Chander's story Kalu Bhangi, a composition by Sahir Ludhianvi which was later adopted as a song in the film Pyaasa and a song written by Vamik Jaunpuri for Khwaja Ahmad Abbas's movie Dharti ke Laal.