Kerala Literature Festival: Social media presence itself is activism

KOZHIKODE: When the activists and writers took sides on where to stand on social media when there is no presence of editors to keep a check on their writing, the audience also joined to mark their dissent on always aligning with a particular political ideology, while standing with the oppressed. Scriptwriter Deedi Damodaran, poet Civic Chandran, writer Asokan Charuvil and poet Renukumar expressed their views on writing on the social media amidst activism.
Lasar Shine moderated the session.

Mr Renukumar was the only frequent presence in many of the live agitations on the social media and other platforms.  Mr Chandran believes his presence on the social media itself is his activism.  Mr Charuvil said there should be a unified voice against a common oppressor as the country is now facing while Ms Damodaran wondered how would there be a unified dissent when the female voices are sidelined. 

She expressed her worry when the mainstream becomes a malestream and even the majority of the panelists at a progressive platform like literature festival was male. Poet Satchidanandan, who was among the audience, said that there is a relation between social activism and social media activism and latter faces a threat in many countries.  “Activism should continue even after social media vanish,” he said.

‘Aami was a tough biopic to make’

The making of Aami was tougher for director Kamal, he opened up during a talk at the Kerala Literature Festival on Sunday, the concluding day.  Kamal was well praised for his Celluloid, which also fetched him laurels. He was present at the venue on the beach with his heroine of the movie, Manju Warrier.

“While taking Celluloid, I didn’t face the same challenge I faced in the making of Aami. Not Many of the viewers were aware of the life history of JC Daniel. But that was not the case with Madhavikutty. Everyone knew her and including her voice. I hardly had any personal interactions with her and tried to portray what I understood about her from the people who knew her closely,” said the director.

Manju said that the character was challenging for her for the same reason.  “The call from Kamal sir came while I was going back from Kozhikode after attending last year’s KLF,” she recollected. Writer Indu Menon said that Madhavikutty had different individuality in different names like Kamala Das and Kamala Surayya as different petals.