CHENNAI: Stating that all languages have universal qualities that emphasise their common root, noted Malayalam poet V Madhusoodhanan Nair has said he was proud of the fact that his mother tongue evolved from the early Tamil script.
Speaking at the inaugural of a one-day literary workshop organised by the Kerala Sahitya Academy along with the adras Kerala Samajam here on Sunday, he said that accepting the universality of all languages would lead to less tension and more peace in the world.
“The intonation may be different. But, all languages are tied to its roots and for Malayalam, it is the Tamil language,” he said.
“One thing I have observed in every Malayali living in Tamil Nadu is that although they retain the native slang, there is an unmistakable Tamil flavour in the words they use,” he added.
Nair, a 1993 Sahitya Academy Award-winner for his poem Naranath Bhranthan, said the shared heritage of Kerala and Tamil Nadu means that Malayalis often find it easy to mingle with the people here than in any other State.
Elaborating on the trend in the literary world, he said that too many creations have a western theme and touch to it, while there was also a communitywise split and demand for literary works.
“Differentiating between works on the basis of religion and community will create an unnecessary vacuum with respect to the quality of the works in the literary space,” he said.
“Every poet, writer should be encouraged without discrimination, otherwise we would have split our choice between the works of the great sages Valmiki and Vyasa,” he added.