Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

English Has Become Too Important For Us: Javed Akhtar

Darpan News Desk IANS, 03 Mar, 2016 12:22 PM
  • English Has Become Too Important For Us: Javed Akhtar
Bollywood's wizard of words Javed Akhtar feels the quality of language in dialogues and songs in present-day Hindi films reflects the lack of command that most youngsters have on vernacular literature, and said that sometimes, the society gives too much importance to learning English.
 
A balance should be maintaind, he said, pointing out that the solution lies in parents inculcating healthy reading habits in their children. It is something that comes naturally to his own children -- filmmakers Zoya Akhtar and Farhan Akhtar, he said.
 
At the launch of Zee Classic's new show "The Golden Years 1950 - 1975, A musical journey with Javed Akhtar", the veteran writer-lyricist, asked about the deteriorating quality of lyrics in Bollywood, said: "It is simple to accuse a lyricist or music director, but if you see carefully, it is a very complicated situation.
 
"Vocabulary itself has shrunk in the society... One reason is our education system, in which literature is not on the list of priority. For the last 30 to 40 years, we are not exposing our children to literature and poetry."
 
Expressing dissent over the limited use of proverbs in speech, Akhtar said: "Knowledge of vernacular language is limited... How many children are there who would have read a poetry book or seen their parents read one?
 
"When they are not exposed to poetry and have not been taught importance of language, the language will shrink, and it will reflect in dialogues and songs."
 
He said that "because of liberalisation and corporatisation, English has become too important for us", but was quick to add that he does not undermine the importance of English.
 
"What is wrong is that we are learning that language at the cost of (not knowing) our mother tongue. This should not happen," stressed the 71-year-old, who has penned films like "Zanjeer" and "Sholay" and is adept at Urdu, Hindi and English.
 
 
The problem, he feels, lies in the fact that while the upper middle class section of the society is sending children to English speaking school, it is the "deprived classes" who are going to vernacular schools.
 
"Language is gettng nurtured in harsh and deprived socio-economic conditions. And priviledged class is learning English. In every society, it is the middle class that nurtures language, but our middle class has nothing to do with our language (nowadays)."
 
Delving upon the state of the film industry, he said that young filmmakers who are below 30 "haven't really read their language".
 
"He does not know Hindi or Urdu well... He dreams also in English. So how will he understand?"
 
In this scenario, Akhtar feels "children should be bilingual" as they become smarter.

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

Sunil Grover Set For 'New Beginnings' With Punjabi Film Vaisakhi List

Sunil Grover Set For 'New Beginnings' With Punjabi Film Vaisakhi List
Sharing the first poster of the film, which also stars Jimmy Sheirgill and Shruti Sodhi, on Twitter, Sunil said he is looking forward to the film's release on April 22.

Sunil Grover Set For 'New Beginnings' With Punjabi Film Vaisakhi List

Emraan Hashmi To Unveil Cover Of His Book On Cancer

Emraan Hashmi To Unveil Cover Of His Book On Cancer
Currently filming the fourth instalment of "Raaz", Emraan shared a video on Facebook on Wednesday, urging his fans to vote for the best cover image.

Emraan Hashmi To Unveil Cover Of His Book On Cancer

Mainstream Hindi cinema witnessing change, says Shabana Azmi

Actress Shabana Azmi has said that mainstream Hindi cinema is witnessing a change from the stereotypical portrayal of mothers and other characters in earlier times.

Mainstream Hindi cinema witnessing change, says Shabana Azmi

How To Get Priyanka Chopra's Oscar Look

  Here's how you can get and wear her look with a dash of modern elegance.

How To Get Priyanka Chopra's Oscar Look

Kapil Sharma Has Watched 'Comedy Nights Live', Says It's Different

Kapil Sharma Has Watched 'Comedy Nights Live', Says It's Different
Comedian-actor Kapil Sharma says he watched 'Comedy Nights Live' show that has replaced his popular 'Comedy Nights With Kapil' and said it was different from his show.

Kapil Sharma Has Watched 'Comedy Nights Live', Says It's Different

Shah Rukh Khan Father-In-Law Passes Away, Actor Attends Funeral In Delhi

Shah Rukh Khan Father-In-Law Passes Away, Actor Attends Funeral In Delhi
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Wednesday attended the last rites of his wife Gauri Khan's father Ramesh Chandra Chibber here.

Shah Rukh Khan Father-In-Law Passes Away, Actor Attends Funeral In Delhi