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October 25, 2026 (Sunday)
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Proceedings of the literary-cultural dialogue meeting
Topic: "Mahakavi Prasad and I"
📅 Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
🕓 Timings: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
💻 Medium: Google Meet (Online)
Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker:
Ms. Monalisa Mukherjee
Filmmaker, Little Lamb Films, Mumbai
Organized by: Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad Trust
Medium: Online Dialogue Meeting (Google Meet)
Program Content: Full video transcript available
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1. Opening of the program and introduction of guests
The program began with greetings and welcoming the scholars present on the stage. Mahalakshmi, conducting the session, highlighted the significance of the theme of this literary and cultural dialogue, "Mahakavi Prasad and Me," organized by the Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad Trust.
Welcoming the chief guest and speaker, Ms. Monalisa Mukherjee, he explained that she has lived in Mumbai for nearly 30 years and is a filmmaker with the production house Little Lamb Films. She is active in Bengali and Hindi parallel and art cinema.
He said that combining audio and visual media with literature helps convey an idea more simply, effectively, and comprehensively to society. Therefore, as a filmmaker, it is especially important to hear Monalisa's perspective on the literature of Mahakavi Prasad.
2. Introduction to the organization and initial thoughts by Awadhesh Kumar Gupta
While welcoming the guests and literature lovers present, Awadhesh Kumar Gupta ji presented a brief introduction of Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad Trust.
He especially emphasized that Prasad ji's literature is not limited to literary studies only, but it has immense possibilities of film, drama, music, history, patriotism and human sentiments.
He made the following key points in his statement:
(a) Relationship between literature and Indian films
He explained that the tradition of songs in Indian films has been based on Indian literature and theatre. Writers before him, including Prasad, used songs in their plays. Later, Indian films also adopted this tradition.
(b) Comparison of Skandagupta and Bahubali
Referring to Mahakavi Prasad's play 'Skandagupta', he said that it gives an impressive depiction of the invasion of Huns and the war strategy, political skill and bravery adopted by Skandagupta to protect India.
He expressed his opinion that if Prasad ji were alive today, his historical imagination and narrative ability would have made grand films like Baahubali possible.
(c) Prasad ji's life of struggle
He mentioned Prasad ji's prestigious Sunghani Sahu family and told that once this family was counted among the most prestigious and prosperous families of Kashi.
But family circumstances, death of father and elder brother, family responsibilities, decline in business and sorrows of personal life made Prasad ji's life extremely full of struggle.
(d) Amazing dedication towards writing
He explained that Prasadji continued to write while also managing his business. Even traces of items related to his business are found in his manuscripts.
He stressed that if Prasad ji had been free from business and family responsibilities and had been given the opportunity to create literature only, then Hindi literature could have received even greater works from him.
(e) Literature practice till the end
He explained that despite his ill health and suffering from tuberculosis, Prasadji did not give up writing. He completed "Kamayani," while some works, including "Iravati," remained incomplete.
(f) Nationalism through literature
He explained that during British rule, it was difficult to directly express the spirit of national independence. Therefore, Prasadji expressed national consciousness and self-respect through his plays, historical characters, and songs.
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3. Detailed statement by Keynote Speaker Ms. Monalisa Mukherjee
Topic: Analysis of women's consciousness, human values and contemporary society through Kamayani
Monalisa Mukherjee ji started her speech by mentioning her literary and family background.
He said he spent his childhood in Kolkata. His mother, Sharda Agarwal, was a writer and poet. Their home regularly hosted poetry gatherings, which were attended by literary figures like Neeraj, Bharat Bhushan, Omprakash Aditya, Virendra Mishra, and Sharad Joshi.
This literary environment created a love for literature in him since childhood.
She explained that she became involved in the film industry shortly after arriving in Mumbai. She had read Prasad Ji as a child, and upon Kavita Ji's invitation, she reread Kamayani.
He clarified that his aim is not to present any academic research, but to understand Prasad ji's literature from the perspective of his experience, thinking and film making.
3.1 Prasad's attitude towards women
Monalisa ji quoted Prasad ji's famous lines:
"Woman! You are only devotion..."
He said that these lines are criticized in today's context and they are considered to limit women only to devotion, sacrifice and dedication.
But his approach is completely different from this.
He said that in his view, Prasad ji was a very progressive thinker for women. He did not simply place women in a position of reverence, rendering them inactive, but instead acknowledged their qualities, wisdom, decision-making abilities, and independent personality.
According to him, Prasad ji's woman walks shoulder to shoulder with the man, evaluates his thoughts and remains firm on her decisions.
3.2 Structure of Kamayani and its uniqueness
Comparing 'Kamayani' with epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, he said that while in other epics the story progresses through many characters and sub-stories, the main story of Kamayani is presented in a very beautiful and simple manner through main characters like Manu, Shraddha and Ida.
He believed that the work of a creator is, somewhere or the other, a reflection of his own thoughts and personality.
3.3 Shraddha: Symbol of women's power and moral consciousness
He analysed Shraddha's character in detail.
According to him, Shraddha is not only an embodiment of love and sacrifice, but she is also a representative of wisdom, compassion, non-violence, motherhood and human values.
When Manu moves towards Yagya and animal sacrifice, Shraddha opposes it.
Monalisa ji, while linking this incident with today's society, said that man is sacrificing values like morality, wisdom, religion, kindness, non-violence and duty for his limited personal happiness and selfishness.
He specifically underlined this sense of reverence:
"See others laughing Manu, laugh and find happiness."
He said that the feeling of making others happy by expanding one's own happiness is real humanity.
3.4 The Character of Manu: A Realistic Portrayal of the Weaknesses of Man
Monalisa ji expressed a very important opinion and said that Prasad ji did not always present his male characters in an ideal and flawless manner.
Through the character of Manu, he has naturally depicted the selfishness, ego, lust, desire for power and self-centered tendencies of man.
He said that Prasad ji does not show man as weak due to the prejudice of any ideology, rather he brings out the real merits and demerits of man.
After the cataclysm, Manu becomes lonely, depressed, and directionless. Shraddha's arrival brings love and enthusiasm back into his life.
But Manu becomes jealous of Shraddha's maternal feelings and her affection for the coming child.
He wants Shraddha to remain devoted only to him.
Through this incident, Monalisa ji highlighted the selfishness and self-centered mentality of men.
3.5 Ideological conflict between Shraddha and Manu
He revealed that Shraddha loves Manu but does not support his unfair decisions.
Shraddha stands firm on her principles in opposition to Manu's violent views and animal sacrifice.
Here Prasad ji presents woman as a power with independent thoughts.
According to Monalisa ji, it is a big thing that despite loving her husband, Shraddha does not support him in his wrong path.
3.6 Ida: Symbol of wisdom, science and administrative ability
Giving special importance to the character of Ida, he said that Ida in Kamayani is not just a female character, but is the personification of intelligence, science, industrialization, materialism and governance.
Ida, along with Manu, rebuilds the Saraswat region.
She manages the state system with her intelligence, wisdom and efficiency.
He also underlined the difference between the concept of Ila in Vedic literature and the form of Ida in Kamayani.
According to him, Prasad ji did not limit women to only religious or domestic roles but also presented them as capable in the workplace, science, governance and decision making process.
3.7 Manu's arrogance and abuse of power
Monalisa ji told that after the reconstruction of Saraswat region, ego again arises within Manu.
They start considering themselves rulers and omnipotent.
Despite Ida's rejection, they want to get her as per their wish.
Through this incident, Prasad ji has highlighted the misuse of power, muscle power and authority.
Monalisa ji said that the character of Manu is an example of the fact that man can become the cause of his own destruction due to his ego of achievements and power.
3.8 Revival of Shraddha and the transformation of Manu
He told that after Manu's downfall and struggle, Shraddha comes back into his life.
She sustains them, guides them and ultimately leads them to bliss.
In this context, he underlined a very important human vision of Prasad ji that women are not merely there to serve men, but only with the cooperation and coordination of both is it possible to build a healthy society.
He said that without the balance of heart and intellect, love and conscience, and compassion and science, society can become cruel and destructive.
3.9 Kamadeva's curse and present society
Monalisa ji mentioned the concept of Kamadeva's curse while linking the incidents of Kamayani with the current social conditions.
He said that today's man is becoming insensitive despite industrial and technological progress.
He drew attention to the following problems of contemporary society:
Unlimited desire for money and wealth.
Lack of satisfaction and spiritual fulfillment.
Degradation of human sensibilities.
Atrocities against women and weaker sections.
Social exploitation and violence.
Abuse of power and capital.
Decreasing interest in books, study and contemplation.
Decline of social and ideological values.
He said that today the lack of faith i.e. sympathy, love, kindness and humanity is clearly visible.
According to him, Prasad ji's literature is not only the literature of his time, but it also shows amazing foresight in understanding the conditions of the future society.
3.10 Kumar: Message for the future generation
He mentioned the character of Kumar in the last stanza of Kamayani.
According to him, Kumar is a symbol of human future.
Kumar's upbringing at the hands of Shraddha and Ida indicates that the future generation should have both the sensitivity of the heart and the wisdom of the intellect.
The future of humanity can be secured only through the coordination of love and science, emotion and logic and sensitivity and intelligence.
3.11 Prasad's literature from a filmmaker's perspective
In the last part of her speech, Monalisa ji described Prasad ji's literature as very important from the point of view of film making.
He said that if Prasad ji were alive today, he would have been an excellent screenplay writer and possibly a film producer as well.
Referring to the descriptions of 'Kamayani', he said that Prasad ji's writing style is so visual and detailed that the entire scene becomes visible before the reader.
He specifically pointed out that the following filmmaking elements are already present in Prasad's literature:
Screenplay and scene structure.
Camera and location concept.
Production design.
Emotional expression of the characters.
A detailed depiction of the environment and nature.
Scene change and sequence of events.
While reciting some excerpts of natural scenes from 'Kamayani', he explained that Prasad ji creates such a scene through words, which the filmmaker can easily bring on screen through the camera.
He said that a grand mega series can be made on 'Kamayani'.
According to him, even films like Baahubali seem small in front of Prasad ji's imagination.
He concluded his speech by presenting this idea in a very impressive manner.
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4. Statement by Sunil Sahitu
After the keynote speaker, Sunil Sahitu ji presented his views.
Praising the statement of Monalisa Mukherjee ji, he said that the depth with which she explained the soul of Kamayani and the character of Shraddha without any formal research or university degree is highly commendable.
He said that after listening to his statement it felt as if the heart of Shraddha had been absorbed in the heart of the speaker.
key ideas
(a) The complexity of Kamayani and Prasad's imagination
He told that Prasad ji himself has admitted in the preface of Kamayani that he took the help of imagination to bring uniformity in the story by connecting the sources scattered in different sources.
Therefore, to understand Kamayani, it is necessary to delve deep into its plot, symbols and imagination.
(b) Prasad ji's life of struggle
He mentioned the journey of Prasad ji's family from prosperity to financial and family difficulties.
He told that there came a time when Prasad ji had to cook and eat food in earthen pots in his house.
(c) Prasadji's extraordinary study ability
He told that Prasad ji's formal education was limited, but his tendency towards self-study was very extraordinary.
At a young age, he had developed the ability to deeply study and memorize texts like Amarakosha and Ashtadhyayi.
(d) Contribution of Lakhrani Devi
He especially highlighted the important contribution of Prasad ji's sister-in-law Lakhrani Devi.
He told that after the death of parents and elder brother, Lakhrani Devi played the role of guardian in Prasad ji's life.
Despite the difficulties in Prasad ji's personal life, he took care of the family and tried to carry forward the family tradition.
(e) Prasad ji's last moments
He told that in his last days, Prasad ji was busy with 'Kamayani', 'Iravati' and other literary works, while on the other hand he was also bearing the burden of family cases and responsibilities.
Sharad Purnima and Prasad ji's poetry
On the occasion of Sharad Purnima, Sunil Sahitu ji threw special light on the depiction of moon, nature, love and beauty in Prasad ji's poetry.
He told that in Prasad ji's poems, the moon is not only a symbol of natural beauty, but is also a medium of love, joy, satisfaction and emotional feeling.
He mentioned the poetic features of 'Aansu' and 'Kamayani'.
He said that Prasad ji's imagination extends from dust particles to planetary paths and the universe.
He specifically mentioned the cantos of Lajja, Kama and Vasana of Kamayani and said that even though the story may not be much affected by removing these cantos, the beauty, vitality and emotional depth of the poetry will be lost.
Describing Prasad ji's poetic talent as of a very high level, he called him a poet of the comprehensive consciousness of the world and the universe.
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5. Statement and suggestion of Ram Naresh ji
While welcoming the keynote speaker, Ram Naresh ji stressed on the need to take literature to the society through film production.
He said that filmmaking is an influential medium which is watched by a large number of people and which can influence the thoughts and mentality of the society.
His key suggestions
1. Films should be made on Mahakavi Prasad's 'Kamayani', 'Chandragupta' and other works.
2. His plays and novels should be presented again in visual medium.
3. While making a film, there should be no compromise with the original literature and its real message.
4. Short films and other visual presentations should be made to make Prasad ji's literature accessible to modern society.
He also expressed his expectation of cooperation from Monalisa ji in this direction.
Answer by Monalisa
In response to the question, Monalisa ji told that she has not yet made a film on any work of Prasad ji.
However, he described 'Kamayani' as extremely relevant and said that there is every possibility of presenting it as a film in the modern context.
He also said that the fact that a work written almost a hundred years ago is still so relevant today, on one hand, shows the foresight of Prasad ji, and on the other hand, it also inspires us to think about the current social conditions.
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6. Statement by Dr. Madhu Pathak
Dr. Madhu Pathak ji presented his views regarding Prasad ji's literature and plays.
He especially highlighted Prasad ji's female characters, historical consciousness and national sentiment.
key ideas
(a) The power of Prasad's female characters
He said that in his plays and literature, Prasad ji did not make women characters confined only within the limits of the feudal system.
He presented women with strength, self-respect and independent personality.
(b) Social messages through historical characters
He said that no matter which period's story Prasad ji may have taken as the basis, his literature gives the message of dignity, power and independent existence of women.
(c) Patriotism and national consciousness
Referring to Prasad ji's famous song 'Himadri Tung Shringa Se', he said that a very high ideal of patriotism and national self-respect is visible in his literature.
(d) Need to connect youth with literature
He suggested that there should be more discussion on Prasad ji's literature and the youth should be connected with his literature.
He believed that if the new generation takes inspiration from Prasad ji's literature, it can help in finding solutions to many current problems of the society.
He expressed his happiness and gratitude for his statement.
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7. Statement and vote of thanks by Dr. Kavita Prasad
Towards the end of the program, Dr. Kavita Prasad ji expressed her gratitude to the keynote speaker and all the scholars present.
He said that the new perspective from which Monalisa ji explained Kamayani has inspired the people present to re-read Prasad literature and understand it in a new way.
key ideas
(a) The nature of faith and supernatural power
He shared an experience from his childhood.
He explained that Kamayani and Shraddha were discussed in his home. As a child, he had heard from his parents and grandfather the idea that there was an invisible supernatural power governing the world.
He tried to understand Shraddha as a symbol of this supreme power.
According to him, when a person goes through crises in life, some power shows him the way to handle it and move forward.
(b) Kamayani is a symbol of the cycle of life
He linked the stories of Manu, Shraddha and Ida with the journey of human life and said that a human being is born, struggles, achieves his aspirations, sometimes falls and then moves forward with the guidance of some power.
Thus, Kamayani is not only a poetic story but also a medium to understand many stages of life.
(c) The need for reflection and contemplation in the study of literature
He said that merely reading a work is not enough.
Its true depth can be understood only by combining one's own experiences, thoughts and contemplation with it.
Monalisa ji's statement inspired him to look at Kamayani from a new perspective.
(d) Prasad literature and humanism
He said that if India has to be established as a world leader then the spirit of humanism is very important.
Prasad ji's plays, stories and epics all inspire man towards his duty, morality and human values.
Referring to the character of Skandagupta, he said that man should give importance to his duty before his rights.
(e) The need to see Mahakavi Prasad beyond caste boundaries
He put forward a very important idea that the great poet Jaishankar Prasad should not be seen within the boundaries of any one society or caste.
He said that Prasad ji's literature is the heritage of entire humanity and the world.
Their identity should expand and they should not be confined to any limited social identity.
(f) Proposal to make a documentary on Prasadji's life
He requested Monalisa ji to consider making a documentary and short film on the life and literature of Prasad ji.
He said that Prasad ji's struggling life is as inspiring as his literature.
The dedication towards his duty and writing that is visible in his life despite the sorrows, difficulties and family conflicts should be conveyed to the new generation through visual medium.
He also mentioned that efforts could be made to retrieve archives of some earlier film productions and documentaries made on Prasad ji.
(f) Sharad Purnima and Prasad ji's nature consciousness
He mentioned Prasad ji's nature depiction in the context of Sharad Purnima.
He presented the beauty of nature and its experience through the poetic lines of Prasad ji, while considering the mutual relationship between the moon, the sea and nature.
At the end, he paid homage to nature by quoting Prasad ji's lines related to harmony.
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8. Conclusion and poetic expression by Mahalakshmi
On the occasion of the closing of the program, Mahalakshmi ji expressed her respect to the keynote speaker and the scholars present through the poetic lines of Prasad ji.
He notably offered the following lines:
"Shashi puts a veil on her face,
Hide the lamp in your lap,
In the twilight of life
You came out of curiosity.”
He said that the curiosity to learn and the curiosity to know new ideas should always remain within a human being.
After this he declared the program closed and expressed his gratitude to all the participants.
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9. Key literary and conceptual conclusions that emerged from the programme
A comprehensive study of the views of the entire Samvad Sabha reveals the following important conclusions:
1. Mahakavi Prasad's literature is timeless.
His works not only describe the conditions of his time, but also provide a perspective to understand the problems of the present society.
2. The powerful image of women in Kamayani
Through Shraddha and Ida, Prasad ji has presented woman as a personality endowed with love, compassion, intelligence, science, wisdom and leadership ability.
3. Coordination of heart and mind
The symbolic form of Shraddha and Ida gives the message that balance of both sensitivity and intellect is necessary in human life.
4. The ill effects of power and self-interest
Through the character of Manu, the destructive circumstances arising from ego, lust, selfishness and misuse of power are depicted.
5. Restoration of human values
A healthy society cannot be imagined without values like love, kindness, compassion, non-violence, duty and mutual cooperation.
6. Integration of literature and cinema
Prasad's literary works hold immense potential for filmmaking. His plays, epics, and historical works could be adapted into films, documentaries, and web series.
7. To bring Prasad literature to the new generation
Modern media, visual presentations, films and literary discussions should be used to connect the youth with Prasad ji's literature.
8. Prasad ji's global recognition
Mahakavi Prasad should not be confined to any limited social or ethnic circle, but should be established as an invaluable heritage of Indian literature and world humanity.
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10. Suggestions and possible actions that emerge for the future
Based on the views expressed by the speakers at the meeting, the following possibilities emerged:
1. Efforts towards producing a grand film or mega series on 'Kamayani'.
2. To explore the possibility of making films on historical plays like 'Skandagupta' and 'Chandragupta'.
3. To make a documentary on the life struggle and literary contribution of Mahakavi Prasad.
4. Efforts to discover and preserve unpublished fragments of previously produced films and documentaries.
5. To organize a special dialogue on women's issues, humanism and national consciousness in Prasad literature.
6. Use of visual and digital media to connect the new generation and youth with Prasad literature.
7. To develop possibilities of collaboration between filmmakers, writers and researchers.
These are suggestions arising from the views expressed at the meeting; they should not be considered formally adopted resolutions or a set plan of action.
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11. Concluding conclusions
This dialogue meeting organized on the topic "Mahakavi Prasad and I" became a meaningful opportunity to understand the literature of Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad from a new perspective.
The biggest feature of this meeting was that along with the literary perspective, film making, social thinking, women's consciousness, humanism and problems of contemporary life were also included in it.
The analysis presented by the keynote speaker, Ms. Monalisa Mukherjee, of the characters of Shraddha, Ida and Manu through 'Kamayani', brought forth many new dimensions of Prasad literature.
The views of other scholars gave more breadth to Prasad ji's life struggle, his studiousness, poetic talent, historical consciousness and cultural contribution.
From this dialogue, the idea that emerged especially was that the literature of the great poet Jaishankar Prasad is not only a subject to be read and understood, but is also an inspiration to develop human values, sensitivity, conscience and sense of duty in life.
To take Prasad ji's literature to the new generation, coordination of literature, research, cinema and modern media is an important need of the hour.
With these thoughts the literary-cultural dialogue meeting concluded.
— Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad Trust
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