‘Geeta Press and Kalyan are doing much more than publishing spiritual books’
| Date :09-Feb-2020 |
Akshay Mukul talking, while Narayani Basu looks on. (Pic by Anil Futane)
Staff Reporter :
“There were other publications also along with Geeta Press Publications and Kalyan. But the others were shuttered down and Geeta Press and Kalyan not only survived but went from strength to strength”
“The Gita Press started in 1923 but became big from 1926 onwards. It was the year the journal Kalyan started. It became the vehicle to propagate a lot of things. Geeta Press and Kalyan were not only publishing books but also doing much more,” pointed out Akshay Mukul, an author of ‘Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India’. Narayani Basu, esteemed author herself moderated the session in Vidarbha Lit Festival that began on Saturday at Chitnavis Centre.
There were other publications also along with Geeta Press Publications and Kalyan. But the others were shuttered down and Geeta Press and Kalyan not only survived but went from strength to strength. It was run by Hanuman Prasad Poddar and Trust. It kept on publishing books on Geeta and other spiritual beliefs, added Akshay Mukul. It might sound strange but Geeta Press was in the heart of Hindi speaking states. Multiple factors involved that leads to its success story, pointed out Akshay Mukul. Within Marwaris there were two sets of people--one were inclined towards Gandhian while another one backed Sanatan Dharma. Hanuman Prasad Poddar dedicated for Geeta Press and Kalyan.
Jamnalal Bajaj who followed Gandhism was dead against spending so much money on weddings, jewellery. Hanuman Prasad Poddar contributed so much in the survival of Geeta Press was fascinating character. He could convince people, elaborated Akshay Mukul. It took five years for the author to come up with the book, since he had to travel quite a bit, visit libraries dig out old things old stuff was a bit of a problem.