Kerala - Thrissur   

Children's literature a neglected area: litterateur

Thrissur: Sippy Pallippuram, winner of the Kendra Sahitya Akademi's first ever award for Children's Literature, has alleged that children's literature and litterateurs have not been getting due recognition in literary circles.

Addressing the State conference of writers of children's literature, organised by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi here on Thursday, he said children's literature was not being considered for popular awards and recognition.

He expressed gratitude to the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Kendra Sahitya Akademi for their decision to honour children's litterateurs. The writers of children's literature can play a key role in preserving the glory of Malayalam language, he said.

“Like many other regional languages, Malayalam is also facing threat of extinction. Influence of Western culture on children has deprived them of the opportunity to understand the basics of our language and culture,” he noted.

Children's literature should focus more on imparting moral values and aspects of reality, he added.

Addressing the conference, writer and social activist Sukumar Azhikode said that children's literature should act as a bridge between childhood and adulthood.

Children's books should be able to retain the innocence and mischief of the children while igniting their thought process. He noted that it was difficult for a grown up man to understand the logic of a child.

From the Panchathantra and Jataka tales to Ramayana and Mahabharatha, the country has seen a host of folk tales, moral stories, epics and classics.

Grandparents used to tell their grandchildren stories and they, in turn, retold many of those to their children, he noted.

The Kerala Sahitya Akademi honoured Sippy Pallippuram on his winning the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.

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