Bob Dylan is only the
second American to get the Literature Nobel in over 20 years. Before him, the
world’s beloved American novelist Toni Morrison won the Literature Nobel in
1993.
But she was
clearly a novelist who conformed to the notions of the Nobel committee on what
is 'literature' as per its standards, something where even the great and rare African
writer like Chinua Achebe could not fit in.
So, obviously
there would be controversies on Bob Dylan's Literature Nobel.
Bob Dylan is a
poet-songwriter first. Though he is a singing legend, there is more or less a unanimity
that he is not as acclaimed a singer as the lyrics of his songs that he himself
writes (some even find it even boring). But yes, he is a mass singer who has
been one of the most important faces of the counterculture revolution of 1960s
and 70s. Though he doesn't like, he was the protest singer of those years when
people used his words and tunes to mobilize their sentiments and other people.
In a way, he is
like Chinua Achebe who matters the most in his sphere of influence - obviously here
it is about bringing social influence through creativity.
Achebe's 'Things
Fall Apart' remains the ultimate magnum opus of literature of a continent where
human life began, but a continent which has been forced to lag on every
development parameter - so much so that it now ranks last.
Though Dylan was
never a solitary figure, nevertheless, he was an important contributor. Dylan's
songs motivated a generation that brought about the most vital changes in the
US society through the counterculture (and hippie subculture) of 60s and 70s
that was aimed at fighting for civil rights and uprooting racism, US participation
in the Vietnam war and even a dislike for the Cold War.
And this
generation achieved it with able support of people like Martin Luther King,
Jr., Bob Dylan and Harper Lee. A multitude was there to provide the leadership.
And millions were there to follow, inspired with songs, books and speeches.
And it so black
and white, even by the norms laid down by Alfred Nobel on 'how a recipient'
should be judged.
"..shall
constitute a fund, the interest on which shall be annually distributed in the
form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred
the greatest benefit to mankind..(for Literature Nobel).. one part to the
person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding
work in an ideal direction.."
"..the most
outstanding work in an ideal direction.."..yes, that is what Bob Dylan has
done.. conferring the greatest benefit to mankind..and that is what Chinua
Achebe did..again.. conferring the greatest benefit to mankind..through their literary
works.
The problem
is..the Stockholm Academy that decides who will be the next Nobel Laureate..saw
the norms laid down by Alfred Nobel as mere wishes..and did all sort of
manipulations over the years..to handpick even many controversial names..all in
the name of ethnic/geographic superiority (like only European writers can
produce Nobel sort of work)..or in the name of superiority of language and not
the content in writing (something that kept Chinua Achebe) out..or silly
geopolitical considerations (like to award some anti-establishment author only because
the global community is opposed to that establishment).. and so on.
Now that good sense has prevailed and Bob
Dylan has been given his due, will there be some room for Chinua Achebe even if
the Nobel Prize cannot be posthumously. After all, it was not so before 1974
and Dag Hammarskjöld and Erik Axel Karlfeldt got their Nobel Prizes
posthumously.
©SantoshChaubey
