The Hindu : Kerala / Thrissur News : Akademi pays tribute to writers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 01, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Thrissur

Akademi pays tribute to writers

Staff Reporter

THRISSUR: The Kerala Sahitya Akademi paid tribute to writers Balamani Amma, O. V. Vijayan, K. Kunjunni Raja, Kattumadom Narayanan, Vaikom Chandrasekharan Nair, Mundoor Krishnankutty and R. Viswanathan.

Inaugurating the function, Abdu Samad Samadani, MP, said that the rage of the socially-conscious writer was a beacon in these days of moral darkness.

``At a time when women are trampled upon, values are neglected and elders are not respected, writers should play an important social role. Their voices should be heard loud and clear. Works of art should be morally improving rather than being merely entertaining.''

Delivering the O. V. Vijayan memorial lecture, C. Radhakrishnan said that Vijayan's sense of humour was edifying.

``Vijayan's sense of humour, however, was different from that of Kunchan Nambiar or VKN. Vijayan used his sense of humour as a cryptic commentary on profound subjects, be it Communism, Vedanta or socio-political developments. Vijayan's humour reflected deep understanding of life. It was akin to the smile of the Vedantin who has discovered the secrets of existence,'' Mr. Radhakrishnan said.

Poet Sugathakumari recalled Balamani Amma's contribution to Malayalam literature. ``Her poetry reflected simplicity, Gandhian values and the all-embracing love of motherhood,'' Ms. Sugathakumari said.

C. Rajendran said the world knew about Kerala's Sanskrit heritage through the lectures and writings of Kunjunni Raja.

Others who spoke on the occasion included writers Akkitham and M. Thomas Mathew.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News Update

Stories in this Section

Eight buildings for women entrepreneurs

NSIC to help SSI units get rating certificates

Akademi pays tribute to writers

`NYC(I) ready to work with DYFI'

In Thrissur Today