Bhubaneswar, Jan. 9: Veteran writers attending a national writers’ conference here expressed concern over rising intolerance in society.
At the 14th Kadambini National Writers’ Conference yesterday, Malayalam poet and critic K. Satchidanandan said:
“Intolerance is growing in every sphere. If we believe that god has created all, we should not be intolerant towards any religion as intolerance is completely devoid of spirituality.”
He said the best poets had had tragic experiences. He also stressed the importance of translations of literary works.
“Malayalam writers know little about Odia literature through translation works. The aim of writing is to put down thoughts with conviction,” he added.
Satchidanandan also recited an English translation of a poem, Gandhi and Poetry.
Writer Manoj Das said: “We live in a collective society. If we do good things, we will survive. If we do things badly, we will perish.”
A number of sessions, including satirical poem recitation and children’s literature, were held at the conference.
Actor Vijay Raaz was present at the event. Patrika Hat, an exhibition of more than 400 magazines published from various parts of Odisha, was also organised.
Literary meet
Writers including Amitav Ghosh and new names in literature, such as Kanishk Tharoor, Albert Forns, and Stephen Kelman, will take part in the second edition of the Tata Steel Bhubaneswar Literary Meet to be held at Hotel Trident in Bhubaneswar on January 20 and 21. The event aims to foster interest for literature among the people. It also aims to bring celebrated authors from various literary genres together.
Stage and television personalities — Rajit Kapur, Suman Mukhopadhyay, Anant Mahapatra — and former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain will also speak at the event.
An Odia stage adaptation of William Shakespeare’s King Lear will be staged.
Stalwarts of Odia literature, including Sitakant Mahapatra, Ramakanta Raut, Debi Prasanna Pattanayak, Prativa Ray, Haraprasad Das and Gourahari Das, will speak at the event.
