Even the scientifically minded are consulting ‘Rahu and Ketu’, says Keralam writer Vaishakhan

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State Library Council president Dr. Dharmaraj Adat presents the V.K. Narayana Bhattathiri Memorial Award instituted by the Sree Kerala Varma Public Library, Wadakkanchery to writer Vaishakhan, on Sunday.

Renowned writer Vaishakhan has expressed concern over the growing influence of superstition even among people with scientific awareness, saying society appears to be entering an era when “even those with scientific temper are looking at Rahu and Ketu”.

He was speaking after receiving the V.K. Narayanabhattathiri Memorial Award instituted by the Sree Kerala Varma Public Library, Wadakkanchery, on Sunday.

Mr. Vaishakhan said literature had once played a powerful role in shaping social consciousness, but literary works were no longer receiving the serious and sustained study they deserved.

“Reading is the most important factor in nurturing imagination,” he said, adding that inadequate and sometimes distorted interpretations of literary works could lead to their being misunderstood.

Mr. Vaishakhan said only around 30 of the nearly 200 stories he had written were railway stories. Yet, writers such as Kovilan and Nandanar, who had written about the military, were similarly categorised, while he continued to be described as a “railway story writer”.

He said the pursuit of positions and official designations could also become an impediment to creative writing.

Mr. Vaishakhan also pointed out the inadequate representation of women in the leadership of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi.

“A woman has occupied the chair of the Sahitya Akademi only once. At least now, women should raise their voice for greater representation,” he said.

The V.K. Narayana Bhattathiri Memorial Award is instituted by the Sree Kerala Varma Public Library in association with the V.K. Narayana Bhattathiri Memorial Trust to honour senior writers for their overall contribution to literature. The award comprises a citation, a plaque and books worth ₹10,000 selected by the awardee.

State Library Council president Dharmaraj Adat presented the award. He described V.K. Narayana Bhattathiri, a scholar and Vedic scholar associated with the renaissance period, as a visionary who demonstrated nearly nine decades ago how reading could create “springs of renewal”.

Xavier Chittilappilly, MLA, inaugurated the memorial event. Library president V. Murali presided over the function. Writer and District Judge A.M. Basheer was the chief guest.

Mr. Vaishakhan also released the short-story collection Kaalathinte Kanalvazhikal by library activist Geetha Divakaran by handing over a copy to Wadakkanchery municipality chairperson Mini Aravindan.

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