Hindi Diwas 2024: However, in the digital era, things are changing for the better and faster than we can imagine for Hindi writers.
The digital world offers local Hindi writers a reach rarely seen before.
“The story is the real hero!” “It all starts with the words!” “The magic is in the writing!” These phrases are often heard in the world of showbiz, but are writers truly empowered? While writing is the most important element of any creative project, it is very rare that writers are given complete freedom to express themselves. It is even rarer to see purely Hindi-speaking writers being welcomed and encouraged as in earlier times. However, in the digital age, things are changing for the better – and faster than we can imagine!
The online world is ensuring that writers, especially Hindi storytellers, can explore their art without compromising on their vision. In the OTT space, series like Panchayat, Jamtara and Khakee: The Bihar Chapter are prime examples of how stories based in India’s Hindi heartland are becoming viral hits. Their success proves that audiences are no longer fixated on one region or one language in their consumption preferences. However, what comes as a pleasant surprise is that the visual medium is just one of the online platforms where writers dominate the market.
Platforms like Pocket FM and Pocket Novel offer storytellers avenues to diversify their craft. While Pocket FM allows writers to invest in the unique space of audio-based storytelling, Pocket Novel gives them the opportunity to take their novels to a wider audience across the world. Writers like Moni Singh, Puja Sawarbandhe and Jigyasa are some of the prominent names on Pocket Novel, and their works are also translated into audio format on Pocket FM. By offering unique and gripping stories in a new format, it is no wonder that both platforms have garnered huge numbers in terms of subscriber and reader base.
Speaking about the new opportunities that the digital era offers, writer Jigyasa of Pocket FM serials like Majburi Mein Bandha Ek Rishta said, “I hail from a small town in Bihar, and for me, being featured as a writer on a leading audio serial platform like Pocket FM and seeing my work resonate with audiences across the world is a dream come true in more ways than one. That is the true power of the digital medium, which gives wings to talents hailing from different parts of India, without any linguistic barrier to restrict or reserve their skills.”
Speaking about her experience, writer Moni Singh, of Pocket FM’s Devil Se Shaadi fame, said, “Hindi is the language I think in and inevitably write in as well. There is an inherent local Hindi flavour in my storytelling and I have been fortunate to be a part of platforms like Pocket FM and Pocket Novel where language was never a barrier to exploring my creativity. It is this freedom that led me to think out of the box and deliver content that is resonating with so many people today.”
Sharing her thoughts on creative expression across different platforms, writer Puja Sawarbandhe, the name behind titles like My Adorable Wifey on Pocket Novel, said, “The advent of digital storytelling has given writers the opportunity to try out various mediums to explore their craft. Pocket Novel has allowed me to not only connect with a larger audience but also connect with them in a way I never could before. Their feedback and opinions have a huge impact on every project. The digital age is truly meant for writers to be free and brave!”
In today’s world, language has become an asset, rather than a barrier, in the entertainment industry. As writers, including Hindi writers, leave a distinctive and formidable mark in the digital space, this trend is expected to only grow stronger and healthier in the coming times. What better way to commemorate Hindi Independence Day?
