Slugfest After Sahitya Akademi Books Mark Kerala CM's Second Term

The Sahitya Akademi-published books, which included a collection of poems by acclaimed poet KA Jayaseelan and one on the history of Malayalam poems and literature.

on Jul 04, 2023

Slugfest after Sahitya Akademi books mark Kerala CM's second term | Frontlist

Sahitya Akademi president and writer K Satchidanandan opposed the move, claiming ignorance of it.

A plan by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi to celebrate the second anniversary of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration on the cover of roughly 30 books has sparked outrage among writers and intellectuals.

The Akademi-published books, which included a collection of poems by acclaimed poet KA Jayaseelan and one on the history of Malayalam poems and literature by Dr M Leelavati, bore an insignia at the top of the cover that read, "Stronger, with our hands joined: the second anniversary of Pinarayi Vijayan government."

K Satchidanandan, president of the Sahitya Akademi and a writer, condemned the move, claiming he was ignorant of it.

In a Facebook post, he stated that the government identifier might have been shown in a tiny way on the second page or just told verbally at the time of the launch. "Because governments can fall and books will always exist," he said on Monday, "the Akademi has the responsibility to be more cautious in such matters."

Writer Anvar Ali, who will get the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 2021 for his collection of poems titled 'Mehaboob Express,' has asked the Akademi president to either voice his concerns to the government directly or withdraw the books bearing the government mark.

"Such an illogical move by the CPI(M), especially in the field of literature, has never been seen before." Kerala's cultural society should call this into question. Such initiatives should be fought and destroyed," NE Sudheer, a literary and social critic, said in a column for 'The Fourth,' a Malayalam online news portal.

However, Akademi secretary CP Aboobacker supported the choice to place a government logo on the books' covers.

In a Facebook post on July 2, he stated that the books were released as part of the LDF government's second anniversary 100-day development campaign.

"On my recommendation, the emblem indicating the same was added on the cover of the books," he stated, emphasizing that the volumes were issued as part of a government plan.

He went on to say that the choice to include the insignia was not debated or challenged inside the Akademi.

"I have no reason to insult a poet or a writer." "If they are offended, please accept my apologies," he wrote.