Speaking at the Chennai International Centre a few days ago, tennis star Vijay Amritharaj dwelt at length on how to transform Chennai into a city that will be known the world over. While the annual ATP tournament has done its bid, along with the widely known annual music festival in December, a more recent event, namely, The Hindu Lit for Life (LFL) has joined the company to add glitter to what was once described a staid city weighed down by utter conservatism. I used to feel envious of Cheltenham and Jaipur, two places whose annual literary meets receive great acclaim internationally. I no longer have a sense of inferiority complex. I suppose LFL is on a par with these two, if not better.
The one that concluded earlier this week beat the previous meets. What a collection of themes and celebrities, who ranged from Shashi Tharoor to Rishi Kapoor. JNU rebel Kanhaiya Kumar, who spoke only in Hindi, attracted perhaps the largest crowd, leaving little space for even standing attendees.
Historian Sriram regaled with anecdotes speaking on a few of the remarkable women who adorned the then Madras in the pre-Independence days. He was conversing with the ever sprightly Anita Ratnam. Carnatic musician Aruna Sairam’s reminiscences of her early years in Bombay gave us insights into some colourful characters like Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, GNB and Brinda. What was touching at the LFL was the opportunity given to the Madras Choir, comprising children from the unfairly lowly estimated Corporation Schools in Chennai. Incidentally, some of these were visually challenged, who dished out divine music.
I must compliment The Hindu and Nirmala Lakshman for their infinite passion to make LFL such a phenomenon. The band of volunteers were remarkable for their enthusiasm and a genuine anxiety to make all visitors comfortable. Talking of visitors, I found that many had come from outside Tamil Nadu. They were determined to come again and again. Many of them were raving about the ambience and the content of most of the sessions. As one writing for The Hindu for more than three decades I am proud that the hallowed newspaper has conceived this kind of a festival that does proud to Tamil Nadu.
As for suggestions for the future, I have none! Keep going. Aim higher and higher. No one can slight The Hindu any longer as a mere Mount Road Mahavishnu! It has gone to heights which few newspapers in the world can scale.
( R.K. Raghavan is a former CBI Director who writes regularly for The Hindu)
