Minister for Culture K.C. Joseph on Friday launched the eight-day Thakazhi literary festival at ‘Sankaramangalam’, which was the residence of the Jnanpith laureate Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, before being converted into a memorial following his death in 1999.
In his address, Mr. Joseph said Thakazhi’s stories and novels held immense historical significance for Kuttanad and its surrounding areas. The heritage museum that was being built by the State government at Thakazhi would bring the characters in the stories of the master storyteller to life and also take its visitors to the world that he attempted to create through his works. The ongoing work for the heritage museum would be completed at the earliest, he said.
The Minister also rededicated the renovated Thakazhi Museum and launched the website of the Thakazhi Smaraka Samithi on the occasion. Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, presided over the function. Writer C.R. Omanakuttan, Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature director Nedumudi Harikumar, Thakazhi Smaraka Samithi chairman Thakazhi Sankaranarayanan and secretary Devadatt G. Purakkad were among those who spoke on the occasion.
Prior to the inaugural function, district panchayat president U. Prathibha Hari inaugurated a meeting to commemorate the 16th death anniversary of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. Prof. Sankaranarayanan chaired the meeting. A discussion on Thakazhi’s works will be organised by the Sahithya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society at the Ponkunnam Varkey Smaraka Auditorium in Kottayam on Saturday. Society president and noted poet Ezhacheri Ramachandran will preside over the programme.
