Tamil Nadu - Erode   

Ganesalingan presented with literary award

— Photo: M. Govarthan

FITTING TRIBUTE: Erode Collector T. Udhayachandran presents SKM Ilakkiya Virudhu to Sri Lankan Tamil writer Se. Ganesalingan at a function organised by Erode Tamil Ilakkiya Peravai Arakattalai in Erode on Saturday.

ERODE: Art and literature should have a scientific orientation, reflect reality and should not be based solely in imagination, Sri Lankan Tamil writer Se. Ganesalingan has said.

Delivering the acceptance speech at a function held here on Saturday to receive the SKM Ilakkiya Virudhu from Erode Tamil Ilakkiya Peravai Arakkattalai, the author of over 60 books, said literature should have a scientific temper.

It should dispel ignorance. And, such an approach should be across platforms in literature, drama, films and other art forms.

It should help in ushering in a new society because there ought to be changes in the present social set-up, and the time for such a change had come.

Speaking of Erode-born rationalist leader Periyar, he said that Periyar in his writings on gender issues was a visionary and some of what he had desired such as the creation of a genderless society had come into existence only recently in some Western societies.

In India, it would take at least four decades, he said.

Collector T. Udhayachandran, who gave away the award and a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, said man-made boundaries should not come in the way of recognising good literature.

Recalling his experiences in reading Mr. Ganesalingan’s works, the Collector said in the Sri Lankan Tamil literary world the author was an important figure, more so in the world of literature by refugees.

Sahitya Akademi award-winning Tamil author Erode Tamizhanban said it was remarkable that the Sri Lankan writer continued his writings even at the age of 80.

Secretary of the Arakkattalai T. Stalin Gunasekaran; former Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University, Thanjavur, E. Sundaramoorthy and former Director, Tamil Development Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, ’Silamboli’ S. Chellappan participated in the function.

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