Straddling the worlds of writing and politics

Four well-known writers are in the fray

Writing has been an integral part of many politicians’ lives. They use their literary skills to promote the ideas of their party.

Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajaji, C.N. Annadurai and Karunanidhi wrote prolifically even as they spent more time in the field as political activists. Though this has been a declining trend in recent times, Tamil Nadu has continued to witness writers taking the political plunge.

For the upcoming Lok Sabha election, four well-known writers – Su. Venkatesan of the CPI(M), D. Ravikumar (VCK), Kanimozhi (DMK) and Thamizachi Thangapandian (DMK) are in the fray.

Ms. Kanimozhi remained contended with her avocation as a poet for many years. She was elected to the Rajya Sabha twice, and is now contesting from Thoothukudi as she feels it will provide her an opportunity to interact with the people.

Mr. Venkatesan, a Sahitya Akademi Award winner, is contesting from Madurai. “Literature is totally an individual and lonely work. Politics, on the other hand, requires an astonishing level of teamwork, though there can be a lot of similarities in what one wants to convey and achieve through both these lines of work. Though it is challenging to balance the two, I take inspiration from the leaders who have achieved [success in both areas] in the past,” he said.

Though he agreed that his literary works had taken a back seat, he said the upcoming election was one during which writers and other public intellectuals cannot afford to remain silent, as the very idea of India was under threat due to the past five years of “disastrous rule” of the BJP.

Former MLA Ravikumar, who is contesting from Villupuram (Reserved) seat, said he was able to achieve as a politician what he wasn’t as a writer. “I had organised a conference on behalf of the magazine Nirapirikai to highlight the plight of Tamil refugees. I was asked to visit the camps and submit a report by the DMK government after I was elected to the Assembly. The report ameliorated the condition of refugees as the government constructed lakhs of houses for them,” he noted.

Ms. Thamizachi, a former English teacher and poet, said, “As creative writers, we understand the mind of voters and will not make false promises. We will make maximum effort to fulfil what we promise.”