Kerala - Thrissur   

‘Madambu's writings reflect his unique vision'

THRISSUR: In a world peopled by fake intellectuals, writer Madambu Kunjukuttan stands tall with his towering intellect, no-nonsense manner, incredible versatility and breadth of vision, Additional Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar has said.

He was addressing a meeting held at the Kerala Sahitya Akademi on Sunday as part of the 70th birthday celebrations of Mr. Kunjukuttan. “We often come across intellectuals who refuse to utter the truth as it would rub the rich, powerful and the influential the wrong way. Mr. Kunjukuttan is not so. He hates hypocrisy. He courageously preaches and practices what he believes is right. The courage stems from his wisdom. His writings reflect his intimate knowledge of life,” Mr. Jayakumar added.

He observed that Mr. Kunjukuttan's life and art constituted a harmony of contradictions.

Writer C. Radhakrishnan stated that the dominant sentiment (Rasa) of Mr. Kunjukuttan's oeuvre was ‘Shantham' or peace. “Usually, humour never goes well with peace. But in Mr. Kunjukuttan's works they do. He is concerned not just about the welfare of his own family and relatives. He wishes for the good health and happiness of the entire world,” he noted.

Writer Asha Menon observed that sensibility in Malayalam literature was facing worldly and materialistic obstacles. “Mr. Kunjukuttan's writings have surmounted these obstacles,” he said.

Writer Alangode Leelakrishnan said that some of the ideals of social reformer V. T. Bhattathiripad could be seen in Mr. Kunjukuttan.

“Like V.T., Mr. Kunjukuttan too believes that social renaissance is impossible without emancipation of women. In his novel, ‘Bhrashtu', Mr. Kunjukuttan portrays Thathrikutty, who has been ostracised by Namboodiri elders, as a representative of empowered women,” he said.

Kerala Sahitya Akademi former president P. Valsala presided. Film director K. R. Mohanan delivered the keynote address at a seminar on Madambu's contribution to cinema.

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