Kerala: Activists, writers join hands for festival of democracy tomorrow
Kozhikode: Writers and cultural activists are organising a three-day ‘festival of democracy’ here to beat the increasing "fascist leanings that are encroaching into many spheres of life". “The idea is to embrace democracy and celebrate plurality with all colours thus upholding a firm NO to diktats,” says programme convener K.T Kunjikannan. Songs, dances, writings, drawings, film screenings, theatre, ghazals and seminars will mark the programme. The event will unfold at Comtrust ground, Art gallery, Samskarika Nilayam and Town hall.
On August 12 at 10 am, writer N.S Madhavan will inaugurate the discussion ‘Writing in a democratic set up’. At 2 pm, senior journalist Sashi Kumar will inaugurate the discussion ‘Journalism in the times of fascism’ with N.P Rajendran, Kamalram Sajeev, K.K Shahina, T.M Harshan taking part. At 2.30 pm, Kalpetta Narayanan, P.P Ramachandran and 30 young poets will gather to discuss ‘Political expressions of poetry’. The film fest will be screened at Samskaarika Nilayam on all the three days.
On the second day, actors Alancier and Mamukoya will share their ideas on ‘celebration of freedom’. CITU leader Elamaram Kareem will inaugurate the session ‘Fascism and labour class’ at 4 pm. Sara Joseph will inaugurate the ‘Gender, democracy and creativity’ discussion in the Art gallery. At 2 pm, Anand, T.P Rajeevan, M.N Karasserry, S. Saradakutty and others will take part in the session, ‘Politics of plurality’. On the concluding day, sessions, ‘Why to celebrate democracy’, ‘Indian nationality’, ‘Cultural making of fascism’, will take place with the participation of M.G.S Narayanan, K.N Ganesh, M.R Raghavan MP and others.
