The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : Socially elevating literary works transcend generations: Kanimozhi

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Monday, Jun 28, 2010
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Socially elevating literary works transcend generations: Kanimozhi

V.S. Palaniappan

“Women must continue to document their experiences”

Literary creations could never be for one's own self
Time alone is the best evaluator for any form of literature

Coimbatore: Literary works that bring in social transformation alone will transcend generations and remain popular, Rajya Sabha MP, Kanimozhi said on Sunday. She was speaking at an academic session on “Padaippilakkiya Nokkum, Pokkum,” on the concluding day of the World Classical Tamil Conference presided by Prof. Karthigesu. Sivathambi.

Ms. Kanimozhi said that there had been a debate on whether the literature has a direction and objective. Literature should be in a conversation mode and expressive in nature with a beautiful richness. Literary creations could never be for one's own self. In today's world, sharing has become more important and essential. Happiness or sorrow should not be suppressed in one's own self then it would not reap any benefits.

Sharing such emotions, through literature will bring immense benefits. Be it song, drama, kavithai or film, they are called as “Padaippilakkiyam.”

When literary works are on the basis of sharing, they stand popular transcending generations. Literary works that fail to usher in the required social transformation are of no use and it is as good as presuming that such works never existed, she said. In a world racing against time, many incidents, events that are witnessed are often forgotten. No body thinks or looks into the reasons for such incidents or events. When such incidents or events make a person to record the same by writing, it becomes a literary work, she added.

Observing that many people see the works born out of the Dravidian movement as propaganda, Ms. Kanimozhi said that the issue would be settled in due course. Be it ancient sangam or medieval or modern literature, humanity was in the habit of taking just what was required for them. Literature depicts women in very good light whereas the society tends to see women in a bad light or context.

Tinsel world was in the habit of portraying women in a negative manner. When such creations are appreciated and encouraged, the deterioration of culture begins. When women record the sufferings and the pains that they have undergone, the society shows a very poor acceptability to such works. Women should continue to document their experiences and thoughts as literature.

Literatures of the past have contributed to social transformation thus transcending generations and time alone is the best evaluator for any form of literature.

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