Tapasya Kala-Sahitya Vedi state conference stated, on July 6 at Kochi, that Jihadi forces have cast a shadow over the cultural institutions in Kerala. The cultural institutions face serious problems due to the excessive influence of politics and religious fundamentalists. Tapasya is the Keralam chapter of Sanskar Bharti.
The Tapasya resolution says that cultural institutions linked with art and literature have been excessively politicised in Kerala for the last several decades. Academies, institutes, art study centres, libraries, Kerala Kalamandalam and Aranmula Vasthu Vidya Gurukul are among the 27 institutions which have, in one way or another, been converted into laboratories for anti-national, anti-nationalist and anti-humane politics and philosophies.
Cultural institutions have become centres for some forces’ luxurious lifestyles by misusing taxpayers’ money and granting positions to their followers. Political Fronts (Congress-led United Democratic Front – UDF and CPM-led Left Democratic Front – LDF), which rule the state alternately, play this game. The heads of these institutions and governing body members practise these fraudulent activities and remain committed to their political masters.
If circumstances are favourable, they bargain with the leaders and continue in their positions even after the completion of their tenure.
Several people get top positions in the cultural institutions irrespective of their proficiency and qualifications in the realm of art and literature. Yet, they behave in an uncivilised manner and face criminal cases.
Keralam has been witnessing this for a long time. This is the consequence of religion and politics becoming the parameters for appointments instead of merit in art and literature.
People who maintain an anti-national mentality and do not respect the democratically elected system are invited to Keralam. They continue carrying out malicious propaganda and receive one position after another.
Mallika Sarabhai is appointed Vice-Chancellor of Kalamandalam Deemed University, thanks to her consistent propaganda against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She receives lakhs of rupees in salary and perks. Even after the UDF took over, she continues in the position.
The institutions, which are supposed to be autonomous and are expected to promote art and literature, surrender to the diktats of the ruling Front.
Now, a change of guard has taken place. Active lobbying is under way to take control of the cultural institutions.
A situation is emerging in which either Jihadi forces or their stooges, who differ only in name, occupy pivotal positions. If cultural institutions support forces that energise religious communalism and justify theocratic tendencies, it will lead to dangerous situations.
It is too early to forget the inclusion of a poem penned by an Al-Qaeda terrorist, who had served a jail term in Guantanamo, in the Kozhikode University syllabus.
Only the art and literature of those who “reject nationalism” and “ridicule culture” are celebrated. Recognition and awards are reserved only for such VIPs. Those who express their thoughts freely often isolate themselves. Crafty plots are implemented for this purpose.
There are designs to keep those who take pride in Bharat’s culture and those who stand for the protection of national interests away from the fields of art and literature in Kerala.
Active caucuses among power centres and media persons are carrying out conspiracies to achieve this.
For the same reason, Tapasya’s demand to install a portrait of Jnanpith laureate Mahakavi Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri in the Sahitya Akademi has been rejected.
This is despite the fact that Akkitham elevated the greatness and purity of Malayalam literature through his poems to enviable heights. For the last several years, those who believe that Thunchath Ezhuthachan never lived have been governing the Thunjan Memorial Trust.
Tapasya demanded the liberation of cultural institutions from the clutches of excessive politicisation for the development of art and literature. Tapasya also demanded a strong fight against the conspiracy of religious fundamentalists to control cultural institutions.
