Sahiti 2016, an inter-university literary festival hosted by Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, began on its Aksharam campus at Tirur on Sunday.
Inaugurating the three-day event, writer Sara Joseph said that language would bloom like flowers when artistic creativity became independent and free.
‘‘Writing is the biggest manifestation of freedom. Writing becomes possible only when the heart is free of dread and the mind is clear,’’ she said.
She said the Constitution had permitted all kinds of creative expressions. Those in power, she said, were using their ignorance about rights as their weapons.
She said Indian universities were disquiet because they were the grounds of creative thinking. ‘‘Our universities discuss today what our country will discusses tomorrow,’’ she said.
Malayalam University Vice Chancellor K. Jayakumar presided. Artist Bose Krishnamachari and Tamil writer Charu Nivedita were the guests.
Two books published by Malayalam University, Adhyatma Ramayanam by K.N. Ezhuthachan and Thunchath Ezhuthachan: Jeevitha Rekha edited by Desamangalam Ramakrishnan, were released on the occasion.
Tributes were paid to writers O.N.V. Kurup, Akbar Kakkattil and Umberto Eco.
