Shri M.P. Veerendra Kumar, Managing Director, Mathrubhumi,
Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Renowned Film Maker
Shri P.V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi,
Shri Unni Balakrishnan, Chief of News, Mathrubhumi,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
It gives me great joy to address you at the valedictory function of the International Festival of Letters organized by Mathrubhumi, one of the most trusted and reputed media organizations in our State. Let me at the outset, congratulate the management of Mathrubhumi on their decision to embark on this novel venture to celebrate the literary might of Kerala by launching an international Festival of Letters.
As we all know, the media, especially the print media had played a significant role in Kerala's social transformation in the 20th century. The print medium had initiated the restructuring of our alphabets, the standardization of our language and even helped in kindling the spirit of nationalism during the Freedom Struggle. As a publication which emerged from the Malayali's desire to strengthen the Struggle for Independence, Mathrubhumi could inspire generations and play a stellar role in building the Kerala society that we see today.
More importantly, Mathrubhumi could contribute significantly to the growth of Malayalam literature, initially through its periodicals and of late, through books. In fact, the majority of our writers of today would acknowledge the support and encouragement they received from this publishing house in their earlier days. Writers as well as readers have always regarded publication of a work in Mathrubhumi Weekly as a benchmark of quality in the literary sphere. Today, Mathrubhumi has gone one step ahead by conducting this International Festival of Letters which provided a platform for over 150 writers and speakers from four continents and
14 countries.
Malayali readers have always been noted for their interest in world literature and global ideas. It is also well known that no Nobel laureate in literature has ever been a stranger to Malayali readers. The Malayali's exposure to the greatest writers in Russia, France, Latin America etc. is also well known. Therefore, it is not surprising that International literary festivals which ensure presence of great writers are a big attraction in Kerala.
I am told that this Festival was enriched by the presence of famous writers like Oksana Zabuzho from Ukraine, Scottish historian and writer William Dalrymple, Malaysian writer Felicia Yap and our own Dr. Shashi Tharoor and Deepak Unnikrishnan to name a few. Incidentally, I recall that I had the opportunity to release Dr. Tharoor's recent book, The Era of Darkness.
I also recall reading about Deepak Unnikrishnan's novel Temporary People, winning the Hindu Literary Award recently. I am sure that the interactions our upcoming writers had with such towering personalities during the Festival will help to expand the global reach of our literature and writers.
I am informed that the overall impact of this Festival would be known in the days to come.
In this era of globalisation, Malayalam literature cannot remain confined to the geographical boundaries of Kerala. It is high time we ensured better global exposure to our works through translations into other languages of the world. We also need to employ our best resources in translation to ensure a steady flow of world literature into our language. Now that we have some Consulates of other nations in our State, we should seriously think of collaboration in such efforts.
Since this is a forum for writers and readers, I hope a word about the concerns about reading will not be out of place. We are used to hearing many people lament the death of literature as well as the slow death of the habit of reading. May be they are referring to the increased dependence on audio-visual media and the on-line resources. Due to the sudden growth in technology, new alternatives to the book have emerged and have become very popular. So, if we see lesser number of people reading books as such, it need not be a matter of grave concern. The younger generation may prefer to read on-line instead of the printed book.
These concerns may be arising out of our age-old belief that Reading makes a full man, and that being well-read meant being truly scholarly. Today, the process of reading applies not only to the printed book, but to the electronic gadgets like e-readers too. These new gadgets do not replace the book; instead, they only add to the number of people who read. Besides, they have ushered in a new reading culture in Kerala, encouraging writers to insist on online versions of their books.
When people complain about the death of reading, we tend to believe that it is perhaps the reading of literature which has suffered a set-back. But, even that may not be a correct assessment, since the sale of literature is still known to be healthy in Kerala. I am informed that in Malayalam, though the works of some of the writers of yesteryears are still the best sellers, some new writers have also earned acceptance in record time. All these point to the fact that the publishing industry continues to thrive, with publishing options other than the conventional printed book.
I am happy that the three-day event was successful as a confluence of great minds, thoughts and ideas as it brought together writers of prose and poetry, fiction and nonfiction, essayists and environmentalists, artists and academics, reporters, editors and performers. The Festival directors,
Shri C.P. Surendran and Shri Sabin Iqbal deserve appreciation for their service as curators of this Festival, which will soon be a regular event in Kerala, providing a platform for the best in Malayalam, Indian and world literature.
As this event has been held by a newspaper group, I feel it right to suggest that Mathrubhumi daily should give more priority to information useful to citizens. Nowadays, the trend is to go after sensational news which brings very little benefit to our people. I feel the State's campaigns like TB Eradication campaign, Blood and Organ donation etc would succeed only if we ensure adequate space and importance for them. Newspapers like Mathrubhumi could easily set a trend in such matters, since it has already achieved success in promoting literature and agriculture.
I greet all the writers, speakers and performers who have attended this Festival of Letters and wish them all the best.
I also compliment the organizers for conducting this Festival and this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
