There was much
more than book talk at the Kerala Literature Festival held at Kozhikode from
February 2 to 5. It was a cultural feast. Its sweep was breathtaking.
From
morning till late evening, all the four KLF venues on the beach were agog with
activity. Three forums, named Ezhuthola (Scroll), Aksharam (Letter) and
Thoolika (Pen), witnessed kaleidoscopic changes as one set of writers and
activists stepped aside after discussing a subject for 90 minutes and another set
stepped in to discuss another subject, possibly before another audience as there was constant shuffling of listeners.
There were panel discussions, face-to-face encounters and intimate chats.
Apart
from the leading lights of Malayalam literature, new-generation writers who are
currently making waves by exploring new areas employing new techniques also participated
in the discussions.
KLF was not about Malayalam writing alone. The presence of Indian writers in
English and writers in other Indian and European languages presented interested
persons with a rare opportunity to acquaint themselves with literary
developments elsewhere too.
One
venue, named Vellithira (Silver Screen), was devoted exclusively to films. It
witnessed continuous screening of films, long and short, curated by C. S.
Venkiteshwaran.
The
rich fare included tribal dances and a shehnai recital by the legendary Ustad
Bismillah Khan’s grandson, Nasir Abbas Khan.
KLF ventured beyond the worlds of literature, arts and culture and covered several issues of contemporary relevance such as Gender, Caste, Religion and Democracy.
According
to Ravi Deecee, Chief Facilitator of KLF and Secretary of the DC Kizhakemuri
Foundation, organizers of KLF, more than 300 writers from India and abroad
participated in the discussions on about 120 topics. He avers that wide
participation by writers and diversity of topics of discussion make KLF India’s
largest literary festival.
Bindu Amat in conversation with Norwegian writer Runo Isaksen
This
year’s was KLF’s second edition. K. Satchidanandan, Director of KLF, said it was
organized drawing inspiration from the success of KLF1 and learning lessons
from its weaknesses.
No body in Kerala perhaps has better credentials than the DC
establishment to organize an event of this magnitude. And no person
perhaps has better credentials than Satchidanandan to head the effort. And certainly no place has better credentials than Kozhikode to host
such an event.
The
ultimate credit for the success of KLF belongs to the people of Kozhikode who made
the festival their own. Its leading citizens were part of the organizing
committee, and a large number of students volunteered their services to make it
a grand success.
A view of the audience at one of the four venues
Enthusiastic people moved from one venue to another to become part of the events that
interested them most. There was so much on offer that I doubt if anyone went
away without the feeling that they could not attend every event that interested
them because of time constraints and overlap of events.
There
are unmistakable signs of rot spreading in Kerala society. KLF will do well to
explore the social scene more deeply in the coming editions.
