After publishing theme-based Diwali issues for over 26 years, city-based Neelima Shikarkhane is all set to write a book on 100 years of Diwali issues in Maharashtra

They say, there comes a moment when the game plays the player, and in Neelima Shikarkhane’s life, that moment has arrived. After having conceptualised and published themed Diwali issues of her magazine Vishranti, for over 26 years, Shikarkhane is now set to write a book on 100 years of Diwali issues in Maharashtra, aiming at making literature in Diwali issues a part of the syllabus in the University of Pune.

“Diwali ank, as it is commonly known, is a lifestyle in Maharashtra. Over the past 100 years, these issues published by various publications have become an irreplaceable part of Maharashtra’s culture. When I approached Narandra Jadhav, the then vice chancellor of UoP with the idea of making this literature a part of UoP’s syllabus, he advised me to compile it into a book and that is how the process began,” says Shikarkhane.

And while the venture is expected to take yet another year to reach completion, Shikarkhane’s own contribution towards the Diwali issues spreads over a quarter of the same century she’s documenting. “In 1978-79, when I was working as a journalist, the idea of venturing into literature came into my mind. By the time the concept took shape, it was 1982, when along with a business partner; I started Vishranti, a Diwali magazine that would talk about one specific subject in one issue. For instance, the subjects we have handled include- ghosts, 21st century, ban on dowry and so on,” smiles Shikarkhane as she adds, “Once when Bhakti Barve was the president of Natyasammelan, we published an entire issue dedicated to drama. It was named- Rangawedh. It was after this that I seriously thought of publishing issues based on researched articles on a specific topic.”

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