The Malabar Literature Festival kicks off on Kozhikode Beach

Explore the rich tapestry of Malabar literature, culture, and history at the vibrant Malabar Literature Festival on Kozhikode beach, fostering inclusivity and cultural exchange.

on Dec 01, 2023

The Malabar Literature Festival kicks off on Kozhikode Beach | Frontlist

On Thursday evening, the Malabar Literature Festival, a four-day festival celebrating Malabar literature, music, and culture, began on Kozhikode beach.

Panakkad Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, Indian Union Muslim League State President, opened the event by stating that Malabar and Kozhikode had a unique historical distinction in that it supported cultural interchange between local people and those who came here for trade. "The Arabs came to trade." However, they later propagated India's literature and culture around the world as well. We had a wonderful connection with them.

"I doubt if any other coast had such a beautiful relationship between locals and visitors," Thangal added. He went on to say that UNESCO's designation of Kozhikode as a 'City of Literature' was a testament to the city's inclusive culture.

The keynote lecture was given by writer Subhash Chandran. M.B. Manoj and Panakkad Syed Munavvarali Shihab Thangal, the festival chairperson, were present.

The festival's promoters said that it was an attempt to re-read Malayalam literature from the perspective of Malabar. Around 70 seminars would be held to highlight the communities in this region, as well as their culture, literature, history, languages, and adventures. This year's festival subject would be the sea, with at least nine programmes devoted to it.

Discussions would be attended by up to 300 people, including Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Kanimozhi. M.H. Ilyas, Nishat Zaidi, T.T. Sreekumar, T.D. Ramakrishnan, S. Joseph, P. Raman, S. Hareesh, and Unni R. are among the other participants. Academic Christophe Jaffrelot is slated to participate in an online session. Malabar's historical ties to Lakshadweep, Kayalpattinam in Tamil Nadu, and African countries would be disputed. The Israeli war on Gaza, as well as the Palestinian literary landscape, would be examined.