Exhibition on Sholokhov inaugurated

By

Jose Kalathil

An exhibition titled “The World of Sholokhov,” based on the world-renowned Russian writer and Nobel Prize Winner of 1965, was inaugurated at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC) in New Delhi by the newly-appointed Ambassador of the Russian Federation to India, Mr Nikolay R. Kudashev. Jointly organised by the National Sholokhov Museum-Reserve and the RCSC, the exhibition included the writer’s personal belongings, manuscripts and letters, apart from photos on the houses, where he lived, the nature, and villages depicted in his work. On the occasion, RCSC director Fedor Rozovskiy introduced the invitees.

Dwelling upon the unique literary merit of Mikhail Sholokhov, Chief Guest Ashok Sajjanhar, President of the Institute of Global Studies and former Indian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia, pointed out that it had left a remarkable impact on world literature. He added that Indian writers have been considerably influenced by his works, which were translated into several Indian languages — real testimony to his popularity. He lauded the efforts of the RCSC in organising an exhibition on the worthy literary treasure of the great Russian writer.

Expressing his delight over becoming part of a significant event dedicated to the eminent Russian writer and world literary figure, the Russian Ambassador said that he was highly impressed with the Indian response to Russian language and literature motivated by cultural affinity. Referring to Sholokhov’s work, he noted that the Russian writer and novelist is well known for his writing about the life and fate of Don Cossacks during the Revolution, the Civil War and the period of collectivization, primarily the famous “And Quiet Flows the Don”.

Tracing the literary spark of Mikhail Sholokhov, Dr. Neelakshi Suryanarayan, Head of the Department of Slovanic and Finno-Ugrian Studies, Delhi University, said that Russian literature is profoundly rich with the noteworthy works of Sholokhov, and the Indian students of Russian language and literature were greatly enlightened by them.

Director of the National Sholokhov Museum-Reserve Ms. Olga Anistratenko in her address made a brief background on the monumental institution. The Museum-Reserve is widely known world over as a unique memorial of the Russian culture, the Cossack history and the Don nature. In 2006, by the Decree of the President of Russian Federation, it was included into the National List of the most valuable structure of the cultural heritage of the peoples of the Russian Federation.

Jose Kalathil

Jose Kalathil is a senior journalist based in New Delhi. With more than three decades of experience in different publications in India and Nepal, he is comfortable writing on any topic under the sun.