Kerala - Thrissur   

Preserve literary identity, women writers told

Thrissur: ‘Pen Malayalam', a women writers' conference, held here on Sunday called upon women writers to preserve their literary identity without yielding to the pressures of society.

Addressing the conference, Kerala Sahitya Akademi president P. Valsala emphasised on the right of women writers to break the traditional mould and explore the challenging territory of the unknown. She lamented that women's literature was not taken seriously by society. “The stereotype dictates that a woman writer talks only about herself and about her experiences within the family. But if an author dares to step out of that niche, the belittling begins.”

Ms. Valsala asked the women writers to expand their horizon with wide reading and keen observation. “Though Kerala had surged ahead in women's literacy, the number of women writers here is less compared to other States,” she said.

Literary critic M. Leelavathy said that contemporary women writers enjoyed more opportunities than their predecessors. She recalled that in the initial years many eminent women writers met with nasty sexist comments even from literary circles. It showed lack of political correctness that existed in society towards women, even in cultural sector.

Tracing the evolution of literature over a period and changes of women writers along with it, she said that though a lot had happened, more could be done.

Women from all layers of society were getting space in contemporary literature, she said. She decried that the patriarchal values in society were trying to hold back the progress of women writers in many ways.

Journalist Leela Menon said women writers should consider themselves as instruments for change.

Tamil writers Jayasree Thiruvannamalai and Shilaja Thiruvannamalai were honoured by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi at the function.

Akademi secretary Purushan Kadalundy, writers Devaky Nilayankode, Gracy, K.P. Sudheera, Sister Jesmi, Suja Susan George, Vaisakhan, Asokan Cheruvil and others participated.

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

Stories in this Section

Dancer claims world record
CPI announces list of candidates
Preserve literary identity, women writers told
Postal adalat on Thursday
Candidates announced
Campaign for mother tongue not linguistic chauvinism: ONV

Copyright © 2010, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu