“Malayalam poetry is in a paralysed state with its rhythm, flow and metre out of order,” said writer C. Radhakrishan.
“It is a patient with multiple organ paralysis and the role of poets like P.K. Gopi is that of a physiotherapist,” he added.
Opening an event to honour poet P.K. Gopi on his winning the Sahitya Akademi award in Kozhikode on Tuesday, the writer said honour at the ripe age would be the required incentive for further advancement of a person in any profession.
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On Ezhuthachan
“The role of poets is to announce the impending disaster and change the course of society for the better,” said Mr. Radhakrishnan, narrating the story of the father of modern Malayalam language, Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan.
“He was some one who used poetry for renaissance in society. He set models for how a good king, a citizen, a social being should be and what was good governance and what was not. He instilled the sense of equality and righteousness in a society that was ridden with crime and cruelty. And in return, he was exiled,” he said.
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Mr. Radhakrishnan said Mr. Gopi had often quarrelled with the tradition of Malayalam poetry, but never left home. His writings struck the right note, he added.
The event titled ‘Kavyamazhathottam’ included a series of programmes such as a debate on ‘Opportunities and challenges of cultural politics’, a friendly get-together, and a discussion on the poems of Mr. Gopi, recited by various people.
Painting-poetry session
Several writers and cultural personalities took part in the various sessions.
Artist Selvan Meloor joined hands with the the poet in a painting-poetry session .