Literary fests a tool for bringing people closer: Kerala Minister

Literary festivals are a tool for bringing people closer, said Kerala Culture Minister K.C. Joseph, calling for a celebration of the cultural diversity of the nation.

"The differences in language, culture and tradition is reflected in this literary festival and by highlighting and celebrating this, especially those from the northeast, SIWE is only bringing people closer," said Joseph while addressing the delegates on the second day of the third edition of the SIWE (South Indian Writers Ensemble) Literature Festival here on Saturday.

He appreciated SIWE for also promoting the literary, art and dance traditions of Kerala.

Noted poet and writer Kalpetta Narayanan said that a writer should wait in patience for the right word to emerge to express his inner thoughts.

Drawing from his long and vast experience as a poet, he revealed that he has abandoned more works than he has published as he failed to find the right words.

Arundhathi Subhramaniam led a session that had poets from both the northeast and Kerala discussing their techniques of writing as well as the thought process that goes into the creation of their words.

Over 200 delegates and 50 writers from the country are taking part in the event that concludes on Sunday.