वैज्ञानिक पुराकथायें: एक पठनीय पुस्तक

अभी हाल में ही यह कृति मुझे पढने के लिए मिली थी .यह पुस्तक बहुत ही भरोसेमंद तरीके से यह बताती है कि मौजूदा कितनी ही जुगतें, मशीनों के बारे में हमारे पुरखों ने सोचा था मगर चूंकि  तब  सटीक टेक्नोलोजी नहीं सुलभ थी इसलिए उनकी सोच बस महज कल्पनात्मक  पौराणिक कहानियों के धरोहर के रूप में आज हमारे पास है .कार्ल सागन जो कभी ख्यात अमेरिकी पत्रिका टाईम द्वारा 'शो मैन आफ साईंस " की पदवी से नवाजे गए थे , ने  कभी कहा था कि अगर कल्पना की उर्वरता देखनी हो तो भारतीय पुराणों का पारायण करना चाहिए .आधुनिक विज्ञान कथाओं (साईंस फिक्शन ) में जिस तरह भविष्य की टेक्नोलोजी का पूर्वानुमान किया जाता है ठीक वैसे ही मानों हमारा पुराणकार सूदूर भविष्य के सपने देख रहा हो ...उनके द्वारा कल्पना प्रसूत अनेक युक्तियाँ और उपकरण तो ऐसा ही आभास देते हैं ..इसलिए ही अगर विज्ञान कथाओं को समकालीन मिथक कहा जाता है तो यह उचित ही है ...

मिथकों में विज्ञान कथात्मकता की खोज मेरा भी प्रिय विषय रहा है इसलिए जब डॉ .राजीव रंजन उपाध्याय की यह पुस्तक मेरे सामने आयी तो जिज्ञासा स्वाभाविक थी .आद्योपांत पुस्तक मैंने पढी और लेखक के श्रम और प्रस्तुतीकरण से प्रभावित हुए बिना नहीं रहा ...लेखक ने महाभारत और श्रीमदभागवत के महासागर से चुन चुन कर श्रमपूर्वक उन कहानियों  का संकलन किया है जिनमें मानों मौजूदा ही नहीं भविष्य की अनेक संभावित तकनीकों का पूर्वावलोकन होता हो .इसलिए पुस्तक का नाम वैज्ञानिक पुराकथायें उचित लगता है ,

पुस्तक के २६ अध्यायों में उन रोचक पुराकथाओं  की पुनर्प्रस्तुति की गयी है जिनमें कोई न कोई कल्पनाशील वैज्ञानिक युक्ति/जुगत का पूर्वाभास है .जैसे अमरता के लिए संजीवनी बूटी का प्रसंग ,मय  दानव द्वारा अन्तरिक्ष  -शहर बसाया जाना ,अद्भुत अस्त्र शस्त्र ,विमान,चिर यौवन के आकांक्षी राजा ययाति की कथा ,अन्तरिक्ष में  औंधे मुंह लटके त्रिशंकु की व्यथा ,महर्षि च्यवन के यौवन पुनर्प्राप्ति की कथा आदि ..आज इन सभी क्षेत्रों में वैज्ञानिक शोधरत हैं -अन्तरिक्ष स्टेशन तो कबका बन भी चुका ...और कोई आश्चर्य नहीं कि निकट या सुदूर भविष्य में हमारी पुराणोक्त दुनिया हकीकत में बदल जाय ...

पुस्तक बहुत रोचक है हालांकि इस अपेक्षाकृत छोटे कलेवर में पौराणिक कहानियों के अपार भण्डार से कुछ ही रत्न यहाँ संचयित हो पाए हैं ...मुझे आशा है लेखक इस दिशा में अपने प्रयासों से आगे भी ऐसी दस्तावेजी कृतियाँ पाठकों के समक्ष लाने का अनुग्रह करेगा .पुस्तक पढने की जोरदार सिफारिश है.

समीक्ष्य पुस्तक : वैज्ञानिक पुराकथाएँ 

लेखक : डॉ. राजीव रंजन उपाध्याय 

प्रकाशक: आर्य प्रकाशन मंडल ,

९/२२१,सरस्वती भंडार ,गांधीनगर 

दिल्ली -११००३१

मूल्य :१३० रूपये ,पृष्ठ -104 

Science Literature in Hindi Language: A Bird Eye View

Science Literature in Hindi Language: A Bird Eye View

Arvind Mishra* and Bhise Ram** 

*President, Science Bloggers Associatioan Of India

16, Cotton Mill Colony, Chowkaghat ,Varanasi – 221002

**Assistant Professor, Communication Skills, Department of FE &H,

Saraswati College of Engineering, Khargpur, Navi Mumbai -410209

          Science writing in Hindi appears to have began in 1818 (Patariya, 2000) with the publication of a magazine named “Hindi Digdarshan,” copies of which were circulated to many schools in West Bengal.  ‘Digdarshan' regularly incorporated materials on science, a trend that was not in vogue at that time even in contemporary reputed Hindi publication 'Udant martand' (1928) credited to be the first Hindi newspaper.

            Patairiya (2000) further narrates that a questionnaire related to chemistry way published in Hindi, named, "Rasayan Prakash Prashnottar' in 1847 by Agra School Book Society. The trend was followed with subsequent publications of 'Saral Vigyan Vitap' (1860), Sulabh Beej ganit” (1875) and ‘Gati Vigyan’ (1885) from various academic institutions. Efforts were also made to translate notable works of English scientific publications into Hindi language during that period.

The Beginning

Science writer Shiv Gopal Mishra (2001) considers the period of 1840-1914 as the 'Emergence period of Hindi science writing. This early beginning was followed by a prolonged period of Hindi science writing characterized by the sporadic writings and publications of Hindi science articles in different publications by many science enthusiasts and writers like Pandit Sudhkar Dwivedi , Pandit Laxmi Shankar Dwivedi, Pandit Laxmi Shankar Mishra and Shri Mahesh Charan Sinha. Such prolonged period of Hindi science writing in fact paved the way for establishment of some full fledged organizations devoted solely to science writing, prominent among them being “Vigyan Parishad Prayag' established on 10 March 1913. The 100th anniversary celebrations of this august body devoted to science writing began on the 13^th March 2012 and were inaugurated by our esteemed Ex. President A P J Abdul Kalam.  Vigyan Parishat initiated the publication of a monthly magazine 'Vigyan' in 1915 which is being ceaselessly published since then. The magazine Vigyan has attracted the attention of so many budding young science writers and provided them a suitable platform where they could get their articles published easily. Many today's well know Hindi Science writers have had written once for Vigyan routinely or intermittently.

The proliferation

            The period of 1950-1970 has been marked as a 'phase of proliferation' of Hindi science writing as ample amount of literature related to many newer branches  of science started appearing in various publications. Prominent science writers of this paned were Dr. Satya Prakash, Professor Phuldev Sahay Verma, Dr. Nand Lal Singh, Shri R.D. Vidyarthi, Dr. Om Prakash Sharma etc. Yet another period which witnessed the setting up of 'Paribhashic Shabdavali Aayog' (The commission for scientific and technical terminology) commenced in 1950 and also witnessed establishment of many Hindi academies, appearances of many eminent science writers, translators  like Suresh Singh, Ramesh Bedi, Dr. D.S. Kothari, Dr. Gorakh Prasad, Dr. Satya Prakash, Dr. Atmaram, Dr. Ram Charan Mehrotra, Shri Shyam Narayan Kapur, Shri Jagpati Chaturvedi . These writers contributed immensely to the enrichment of Hindi Science writing. Dr. Shiv Gopal Mishra (2002) has termed this period (1950-1970) as 'Sarvottham Kal' i,e. prospering period of Hindi Science writing. Many other writers of prominence were Shri Ramesh Datt Sharma, Shri Vishnudatt Sharma, Harish Agrawal, Gunakar Mule, Premanand Chandela, Kailash Shah etc.

Modern phase                                                                                               

Critics tend to agree that modern phase of science writing in Hindi began around 1970’s with the publication of good quality science books for academic institutions. Translation work also got new impetus during this work mostly with the help of university professors. Profuse scientific literature of many emerging disciplines of science came to fore which included environmental imbalance, information technology etc. Many present day science writers shaped their career or hobby of writing science in their mother tongue i,e. Hindi during early 70's or 80's ,prominent among them being Premanand Chandola, Schukdev Prasad, Devendra Mewati, Braj mohan Gupta, Manoj Patariya , Vinita Singhal, Arvind Mishra, Jagdip Saxena, Vijay Kumar Shrivastava, Ranbir Singh etc. During 1980's science fiction writing also got an impetus with the efforts made by Indian Association of Science Fiction Writing (IASFS) which promoted works of science fiction writers like Zakir Ali ‘Rajnish’, Zeashan Haidar Zaidy, Kalpana Kulshrestna, Bushra Alwera, Dr. Arvind Dubey, Manish Mohan Gore, Arvind Dubey  etc. Many renowned science writers also got inclined towards science fiction writing like Shukdev Prasad, Devendra Mewadi, Arvind Mishra, Rajiva Ranjan Prasad etc. whose works now form the corner stone of science fiction writing in Hindi.

The Terminology

            A widespread misunderstanding still persists among many science writers about terminology, forms and categorization of different subgenres of science writing. With the passage of time science writing has genuinely diversified itself into many sub genres in Hindi language too. For example popular science writing has now completely established itself as a conspicuous and distinguished subgenre of science writing but still today it is often mistakenly referred to as science writing only. It is indeed science writing but a very special form of science writing which aims to have a direct rapport with common people.

            As a matter of fact science writing in general is a kind of very specific form of writing and is practiced and understood by a very limited audience i.e. by scientists only. With passage of time, it has got so specialized that even two of its practitioners cannot understand the writings of their 'specific' subjects. On other hand popular science writers make their writings very lucid and easily understandable by even a common man. So in our humble opinion popular science writing should never be designated as merely 'science writing' but science writing of a very distinguished form and must always be labeled clearly as popular science writing.

            The science writing of yore also adopted a new lexicon/term   of ‘science journalism' and later as science communication. The use of 'science communication' is currently in practice. But there is again a need to make a demarcation in between ' science communication ' and 'popular science communication’. It is heartening that Hindi science writers have lately began to understand such nuances and subtleties of the subject.

Different subgenres and media

            Hindi science writing too has gained enormous popularity in various media i.e. print, broadcast and lately the digital media. Newspapers, magazines usually publish news and articles and even fiction stories on science. All India Radio and different T.V. channels and cables now regularly broadcast ‘stories ' on science.  Government of India has also funded such programmes through National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) and Vigyan Prasar. Many Hindi science blogs are increasingly inviting attention of the audience of digital medium.  Science Bloggers Association of India regularly publishes popular science write- ups/posts on various scientific subjects in Hindi and has an appreciable blog popularity index. (Darshal Lal 2012).

            Various forms/subgenres of science writing including science news, science articles and essays, science drama, science poem, science fiction, science fiction, science reports, science features are popular amongst Hindi audience. Hindi magazines have immensely contributed to the enrichment of popular science since as early as 1880's when magzines like 'Kavi Vachan Sudha' (1867), Harischandra magazine (1875), Hindi Pradeep (1877)' showed interested in publishing scientific essays regularly. Reputed Hindi literature magazine ‘Sarswati' published not only scientific articles but even science fiction stories from its very first issue which appeared in 1900. Sarswati regularly published science articles and essays till 1950 after which its publication became erratic. In 1915, Vigyan Parishad Prayag initiated publication of ‘Vigyan’ a magazine solely devoted to science in 1915.  Other magazines which were of prominence but got discontinued were. Vigyan Lok, (1960), Vigyan Jagat (1961), Gyan Vigyan (1979), Vigyan Bharti (1978), Vigyan  Vaichariki(1980),Paryavaran Darshan(1980),Vigyan Vithi (1981), Vigyan Puri (1981). Noteworthy contributions to popular Hindi science writing have particularly been made by Vigyan Pragati, a CSIR magazine and Avishkar (NRDC) which are being regularly published. Eklavya', a magazine solely for children is also being published from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 'Vaigyanic' (by BARC, Mumbai). “Vigyan Ganga” (Hindi Council, Central secretariat) and ‘Vigyan Garima Sindhu' (The commission for scientific and technical terminology, New Delhi) are magazines which are still regular and publishes quality science articles. 

            This account of science writing in Hindi is only a bird eye view and in no way a complete description of its origin, trends and status. For further studies readers are recommended to refer the following literature   in order to a have a comprehensive picture of science writing in Hindi language.

            The organizers of this first science  literature conference under the aegis of Mrathi Vigyan Parishad ,Solapur ,Maharashtra have done a commendable work in providing an opportunity and a common platform to science writers of various Indian languages. Such events are of great importance as they not only present a holistic picture of science writing in the country but also develop camaraderie and cooperation amongst writers of different regions and tastes.   

References :-

1.         Mishra, Shiv Gopal (2001), “Hindi Men Vigyan Lekhan ke Sau Varsh (100 years of science writing in Hindi) Vol 1, Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi.

2.         Mishra, Sihv Gopal, (2001), Hindi men Vigyan Lekhan ke Sau Varsh (100 years of science writing in Hindi) Val II, Vigyan Prasar, 2001, New Delhi.

3.         Mishra, Shiv Gopal and Vishnudatt Sharma (2002), Swastantrata Parvarti Hindi Vigyan Lekhan 'Hindi science writing after independence (part 1), 1950-1970, Bhartiya Prakasham Sansthan, Dariyagant, New Delhi.

4. Patariya Manoj (2000), Hindi Vigyan Patrakarita (Hindi Science Journalism), Takshshila Prakashan, Dariyaganj, New Delhi.

5.         Lal Darshan, Indu Arora, Arvind Mishra & Zakir Ali. 'Rajnish' (2012), Role of science blogs in developing scientific temper through digital media, pre-proceedings, Internaterial conference in Science Communication for scientific temper , 10-12 January 2012, New Delhi (NISCAIR, CSIR, Vigyan Prasar & NCSTS’s joint venture).          

    PS: Paper was presented by the second author in "First Vigyan Sahitya Sammelan"  i.e. First Science Literature Conference  organised by Marathi Vigyan Parishad ,Solapur Vibhag (chapter) held in Solapur,Maharashtra on 17-18 March ,2002.  

India and Science-Fiction – Like Two Peas in an Escape Pod!

India and Science-Fiction – Like Two Peas in an Escape Pod!

India is no stranger to the instincts which lie behind science-fiction. Ancient mythologies talk of flying machines for example.

Evidence of science fiction in India can be found as far back as 1500 BC in the ancient Vedic literature. In these texts, there are many descriptions of unidentified flying objects referred to as “vimanas.” These “vimanas” can be of two types: “manmade crafts that resemble airplanes and fly with the aid of birdlike wings or un-streamlined structures that fly in a mysterious manner and are generally not made by human beings”.

The impulse to describe what other worlds might be like and how mankind could fashion new devices and manners of behaving is surely common to many cultures – in this, Indian culture is no different. 

Why India needs science-fiction like never before

India is a powerful emerging player on the world's technological stages. Just one example can illustrate this point: from a base of 6800 IT-related knowledge workers in the mid-1980s, the population expanded exponentially to as many as 522,000 in the early 2000s. What's more, by 2015 this number will have increased to 3.5 million workers – outdoing even the USA itself. Yet compare the mainly US tradition of science-fiction during the Golden Age with that of its Indian equivalent. Whilst the integrity and historical precedents of the Indian example are not in doubt, in quantity and level of output, if nothing else, the US clearly surpasses anything India has produced.

The US has, of course, had a much longer and deeper relationship with technology. Its earlier manifestations of a rather “hard sci-fi” – where narratives and character development played a secondary role to that of imagining new environments, gadgets and beings – certainly fed off this fascination and practice with new technology and scientific progress in the real world. But it wasn't a parasitical relationship as such. If anything, it would be better described as symbiotic. Yes, cars  were invented and manufactured by the Henry Fords of this world before many science-fiction writers imagined them flying – but, equally, TV programmes like “Star Trek” in the 1960s appeared to have imagined the iPad long before it was thrust, just a few years ago, on an unsuspecting world.

After all, you can't create a new world without imagining it first. 

Which is where, if you're need a reason to put India and science-fiction together, you will surely find the evidence you're looking for. There are bound to be Indian writers who have both the imagination and the forethought to be able to create their own dystopian sci-fi worlds without the need to jump on a cruise ship and experience the US sci-fi experience. 

A new literature, a new way of seeing the world

In the light of the US experience, then, isn't it clear where India needs to head? With a mushrooming population of technology-savvy workers able to create, reprogram, hack into and profoundly understand almost every new device and technological advance, the potential market for science-related content is ripe for a new literature – a literature which builds on India's honourable legacy and yet, at the same time, manages to free it from the past.

In a country as profoundly complex as India, science-fiction is perfectly positioned to devise those alternative and parallel universes of thought – universes which have already allowed very many other cultures to examine themselves not only intelligently but also safely; not only from a distance but also with perspicacity.

Imagineers of our societies

If science-fiction can offer a nation like India anything, it is the freedom to imagine its future. In a world which is now changing so quickly, the future is too important to be left in the hands of just the politicians, scientists or educators. For writers – perhaps the first group of knowledge workers which ever existed – also have their noble place.

Without technology, these days most writers would be lost. But without writers – imagineers, if you like, of the very tapestry of our societies – so would everyone else.

In science-fiction, technology and the writerly arts are bound as one.

And India will need both – if she is to advance with any wisdom into the brave new world which surely awaits.

 This article is written by Katie Corder who has introduced himself as a professional copy writer for science fiction in India ..looks interesting! Isn't it?