Popular writing and all time classic ( A subtle line of difference in between) —

Firstly we come to the Popular writing. In general, a popular writing is focused in context to topics elated to “time and space” and scenario etc of a social system entwined to gather. This may contain the landscape of present and up to certain extent of the past, depending upon the demand of the “ethos” of readers of that time. This writing may include analytical description, satirical dialogues, ideology and so many other subjects. It also may be related to fiction, non-fiction etc. In short, its span is extended to every subject. But the charm of this set of writing persists to that generation of readers  and rarely to the next generation.

It purports, a new generation of readers that replaces the previous generation is not as much as tempted by this kind of writing materials. Since, it fails to overwhelm and generate the pleasure, it happened to generate to the previous generation’s  readers. A new reader, just go through the some paragraphs of contents and rejects it as a trash. Yes, it may attract some readers who need such description for the sake of research or intend to come to know  about the ambiance of the past.

But the numbers of such researchers and inquisitors is often nominal. Besides, such old  writers once happened to acquire a “position” of importance, hence, a tradition is ever maintained to republish such works. There also been observed a trend to buy such republished editions of books by government run libraries and at a small scale by some private books collectors to enrich their collection of books. As told, the Popular writing may be focused on “any subject.” Even about the “ideology” prevailing in that time either. But an all time classic in writing is almost confined to “literary field” only.

Here, as a paradigm of “ideological writing” in Indian context, we can cite the name of our Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi. His ideology was given a proper name as “Gandhian thoughts.” To say, still Gandhian thoughts is subject matter of dialogues, but in minimal. Though, it is aggrandized but on papers only. The ideology of Gandhi has been put to oblivion and his name is being used only as a “prop” to gain the political mileage by some political parties.

Long ago, there was a time, when Gandhi used to run a popular newspaper by the name “Harijan.” In that paper he used to discuss in detail about the diurnal subjects and problems of people.  At  that time, his contents attracted much attention and often debated in public. But on today, can some one suggest, how many people are acquainted with this newspaper” Harijan.” Likely to this, a popular writing may be related to any subject material.

In common, this kind of writing comes under the category of “vogue” or “trend.” No sooner, “trend” is out of the public sentiments, writer goes to the backstage. But this phenomenon doesn’t occur with an “all time classic” writing. It is bound to be perused continuously and repeatedly.  Once you go through this type of literature and after enjoying the writing, you try to keep it in a safe custody. After a long gap, when you again go through it, it thrills and enjoys you to a certain another level. But Popular writing is generally confined to a “time and space” of a given period of time and this timing being ever changing. Here, “changes” are concerned to “ambiance and social fabric.

This phrase of “time and space” is worth of discussion. Since, “time and space” is also the subject matter of “all time classic” writing. But in “classic writing” an another significant element is involved. That is, its unique psychological aspect of creativity. That helps generate an all time, ever persisting effect beyond the limits of “time and space.” The impact generated by this “aspect” makes it distinct. An another parameter of “all time classic” is, even an occasional reader also opt to go though such contents.

No doubt, a “classic writing” also contains the same subject matter and that may also rely on the “time and space” of a particular social-political- historical- economical panorama. But it is not bound by such kind of specific terms and conditions. Every “classic writing’ if composed around a given “period of time” may relate to the ambiance of that specific time. Yes, in certain cases, a fable beyond the imagination may also be a written composition. But “all time classic” have got certain features.

A classic writing often contains a”minute and detailed” description of human psychology. Here, minute and detailed both been compiled. This psychological description ever charms a man, for he relates himself with that description. This “deliberation” forces a reader to go through a “classic writing” again and again. If this “deliberation” is deducted from a classic writing, it will become like a prosaic chronicle of human life. Just take in hand any of “all time classic”of world literature, you will certainly find it saturated  with such deliberate psychological description. Another amazing fact regard such writing is, this psychological description overwhelms every every reader whole through the globe substantially, in this or that way. Be a reader from a North Pole or South Pole. But the level of psychological impact remains of the same length and width.

This psychological impact also validates a theory that the common sense and general thinking of humans regard certain subject matters is in consonance to certain fixed measures and acceptable world wide. Some “all time classic writings” are focused on sci-fi or paranormal activities, but the same psychological effects it succeeds to generate among readers at par.

At the end, we may draw a conclusion, though in contemporary popular writing, there too exists some tint of attitude and feelings as apart of psychological effect; but that is not so impressive or long lasting. There, it is so bulky, it lacks a subtle detailing. The gross and bulk turn it up it into a weighty thing. This weight in itself hinders the pace of writing and makes it unable to keep pace with the changing time or future. This bulkiness of description firstly tends to reduce the impact (pace) of a writing and eventually turns it up into a still condition. If a writing matter can not cope with time regard its generating an impact, it is bound not to be counted in the all time classic. Penned by — Vinay Pharasi —–