KOCHI:A talk commemorating Dr T K Ramachandran, renowned leftist thinker, writer and a teacher will be held in Kochi on Tuesday. A discourse will also be organised against the saffronisaion of Pune FTII.
Dr T K Ramachandran (1949-2008) was a centre figure in the cultural circle of the state and was the patron of a movement called Secular Collective. An ardent revolutionary of the late 1970s, he was a classic example of a genuine Marxian ideologist, wedded to the cause of proletarianism and humanity. He fought the religious chauvinists and communalism and was a staunch opponent of the move of saffronisation. TK, as he was known, took a very bold stand to support many causes for secular and cultural freedom including the challenging times after the Gujarat riots. He was in the forefront of protests when Anand Patwardhan’s documentary film ‘Ram Ke Naam’ was banned from screening in Malappuram district.
This Marxian theoretician was never a member of any mainstream communist party and he considered himself as a student of Marxism till his end. TK got interested in Marxism as an idea because he schooled himself in the works of Marx, Engels and Lenin in his youth and then to Mao Zedong’s works.
Later, he introduced the thinkers of Frankfurt School especially Wilhem Reich and Theodore Adorno, to Malayalis who are now familiar with the works of European masters. Along with insights and the works of these masters he weaved a methodology of cultural criticism in the cultural arena of the state to criticise literature, Cinema and popular art.
The well-known social and literary activist was also a prolific writer, endearing teacher, loving colleague and above all a good friend and magnificent person with humane qualities. There are 11 books authored by him.
A large number of cultural leaders including CPM leader MM Lawrence, writer NS Madhavan, Actor Director Joy Mathew, MS Jayakumar, TN Joy, Prof K Aravindakshan, KK Hiranyan, Ravi Kuttikkad, Prof CR Omanakkuttan, KM Kamal,Dircetor Priyanandanans Sajeevan Anthikkad, Script writer Deedi Damodaran, Premjith, actor Anoop Chandran, K A Mohandas, PK Venugopalan are expected to attend the commemoration meeting.
The function will begin at 2 pm at Achutha Menon Hall near Ernakulam Public Library.