Malayalam writer C Radhakrishnan resigns from Kendra Sahitya Akademi
Malappuram: Noted Malayalam writer C Radhakrishnan resigned as an eminent member of the Kendra Sahitya Akademi on Monday in protest against this year’s Akademi festival being inaugurated by a Union minister, who, according to him, lacks any known credentials in literature.
In his resignation letter to the Akademi secretary, Radhakrishnan alleged that this was the first time such a thing had happened in the long and illustrious history of the Sahitya Akademi which has consistently upheld the autonomy of the institution against pressures to yield to political clout.
Renowned for his critically acclaimed novels like “Munpe Parakkunna Pakshikal,” “Spandamapinikale Nandi”, and “Theekkadal Kadanju Thirumadhuram”, he stated that all members of the Akademi had protested when a minister of state had participated in the inaugural session of the festival and that subsequently, assurances were given that this would not recur.
Radhakrishnan, however, clarified that he was not against any particular political party and that his protest was against the politicisation of the administration of culture, which erodes the independent stature of the Akademi.
The author confirmed to PTI that he quit the Akademi due to increasing incidents of government interference in its day-to-day functioning.
The move came a few weeks after Union Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal inaugurated the 39th edition of ‘Sahityotsav: The Festival of Letters’, which witnessed the participation of more than thousand authors in over 170 languages.
Radhakrishnan said the two other Akademies have already lost their autonomy and he took this step hoping that the President or the Prime Minister would listen to the voice of writers about the latest trend of political interference in the functioning of the Sahitya Akademi.
In the letter, Radhakrishnan said, “Political bosses are now reported to be smarting even to redraft the constitution of the Akademi! Sorry, I can’t be a silent witness to the funeral of the very last democratically autonomous institution of culture in the nation.” He was honoured by the Akademi with distinguished membership for his literary eminence in December 2022 after an election process.
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Malayalam actor Rajesh Keshav in ICU after cardiac arrest
Kochi (PTI): Malayalam actor Rajesh Keshav is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after suffering a cardiac arrest on August 24, hospital sources said on Wednesday.
The 47-year-old actor, known for notable roles in various films and TV shows, was admitted to the hospital on Sunday night after collapsing at a city hotel.
He was first taken to the Emergency Department and successfully revived through immediate resuscitation, the hospital said in a statement.
Keshav was then shifted to the Cath Lab, where an emergency angioplasty was performed, it said, adding that he had suffered a prolonged cardiac arrest, which resulted in a moderate hypoxic injury.
The Neuro Wing is closely monitoring his neurological recovery, and encouraging signs of progress are being observed, they explained.
"At present, he remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under advanced life support," the statement said.
His condition is serious but showing gradual improvement, with a multidisciplinary team of doctors actively involved in his treatment, it added.
