As a State that has a rich history of writers, publishers and literary critics, a strong stand should be taken against the threat to freedom of the written word, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former governor of West Benga,l said here on Saturday.
He was addressing the inaugural of a symposium on “Tamil Book Culture” organised by Kalachuvadu Publications, Kadavu Trust and the Tamil department of the American College at the college premises. Speaking about the incidents of books being withdrawn by publishers since it might offend the sentiments of a certain community, Mr. Gandhi deemed it as a matter of great sorrow and shame.
“Over the years, the quality of writing has grown, and technology associated with printing has improved vastly, but the same cannot always be said of the thought process of people,” he said.
“The digital age has become one of easy distortion where everything from songs of the past to handwriting of legends are replicated. There is thus no replacement for the integrity that a book holds, its accountability and tactility,” he noted.
Mr. Gandhi interacted with the college students, asking them what books they favoured and the impact it had on their lives.
Justice K. Chandru, former Madras High Court Judge, spoke about the restrictions and norms placed on the freedom of the written word over the years. “The Indian publishing industry and writers have all developed and grown despite the various restrictions placed over the years. Books have fallen prey to the whims of individuals or different groups in the society,” he noted.
“Free thinkers and opinion makers have greatly contributed to the rise of the culture of books beyond these shackles and this positive culture must be supported by the government and the society as a whole,” Mr. Chandru added.
Academicians and students from various educational institutions are participating in this two-day symposium with sessions by Tamil writers and scholars. “With a rich legacy of book publishing and writers in the language, we seek to assess and study the tradition of books and the present scenario,” said Kannan Sundaram, publisher of Kalachuvadukal.
Principal Davamani Christober and A.R. Venkatachalapathy, Professor at the Madras Institute of Developmental Studies, spoke at the inaugural.
