Indian Sci-Fi Lit

Illuminati

lecherous_v 25-6-2018 02:59 PM
Now this is inquisitive. Yes, we need to dig up for this genre. There must be a few in past too.

Yes, there have been attempts to publish Science fiction in India. I remember having read few print books in Hindi during 1960s-70s which were written by (probably?) some ghost writers under the author name Prof. Divakar and Dr. Raman. These were mostly published by Hind Pocket Books. I might be still holding some of the old books in my library. I'll try to search them, scan and share here when the time permits.

Besides, I can also recall another SF stories' book 'Mrityunjayi' written by Kailash Saha in Hindi. That was an extaordinary attempt in SF genere, and if recall correctly, that was published by Rajkamal Prakashan during 70s.

Perhaps SF did not attract much readership in Hindi during that period and writers/publishers averted from this genere later on.

cynic

Illuminati 27-6-2018 03:52 PM
Yes, there have been attempts to publish Science fiction in India. I remember having read few prin ...

Thank you for sharing this. Such books have been lost to lack of interest and the fact that they were in Hindi, people hardly know about them.

metac

That is so true. There's much value in delving back into our literary history; many gems are lost. Apathy from our public, western fiction overlaid over our own roots in lit excellence. I remember, in my childhood I used to listen to some arresting sci-fi dramas on All India Radio, original in Telugu and Hindi as well as voice narratives and plays translated from across the world.

lecherous_v

Illuminati 27-6-2018 03:52 PM
Yes, there have been attempts to publish Science fiction in India. I remember having read few prin ...

Interesting bit of trivia there. Shall search for them.

cynic

metac 28-6-2018 11:19 AM
That is so true. There's much value in delving back into our literary history; many gems are lost. A ...

Ah! The golden years of All India Radio. Hawa mahal, Binaca Geet Mala, Fauji bhaiyon ke liye, and a no nonsense "Yeh aakashvani hai". The signature tunes of AIR and DD are embedded in my mind. Recently saw an inteview with Rini Simon and Shammi Narang. Took me straight back to my childhood .

jhsurti

cynic 28-6-2018 03:02 PM
Ah! The golden years of All India Radio. Hawa mahal, Binaca Geet Mala, Fauji bhaiyon ke liye, and a ...

Nostalgia!

Yes. They take us back in time!

cynic

Illuminati 27-6-2018 03:52 PM
Yes, there have been attempts to publish Science fiction in India. I remember having read few prin ...

There is a silver lining. Penguin Random House India has aquired Hind Pocket Books. They could definitely use the marketing.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/p ... s/2016817748388795/

Illuminati

cynic 29-6-2018 03:55 PM
There is a silver lining. Penguin Random House India has aquired Hind Pocket Books. They could defi ...

Now, that is a significant develpoment. Thanks for the information. We can expect an early revival and republicaion of some good titles consigned to oblivion.