Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram   

Critic sore over controversy

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM June 20. The noted critic, S. Guptan Nair, has expressed unhappiness over the ongoing controversy over the remarks he made about the Changampuzha works, `Ramanan' and `Vaazhakkula', and has sought to put the record straight.

In a statement issued here today, Mr. Guptan Nair said the remarks were made to stress that `Ramanan' and `Vaazhakkula' were not the celebrated poet's masterpieces, though they are his most popular works.

Mr. Guptan Nair had made the controversial remarks at a meeting organised by Charchavedi here on June 17 in remembrance of the poet. He had also remarked that he could not imagine a situation in which a wealthy girl fell in love with a shepherd as in `Ramanan'.

The Culture Minister, G. Karthikeyan, who inaugurated the function, had taken exception to the remarks and defended the two works, which he said, were representative of the social life in Kerala during a particular period.

In his statement, the critic pointed out that Changampuzha had written `Ramanan' hurriedly in order to earn money for completing his college studies.

``The poet himself had told me this,'' Mr. Guptan Nair said, adding that `Ramanan' also lacked originality since it was written in the form of an English pastoral elegy.

Changampuzha's other works such as `Manaswini', `Paadunna Pisaachu' and `Spandikkunna Ashthimaadam' did not get due recognition because of the popularity of `Ramanan'. The critical remarks against the two said works had been made in this context, Mr. Guptan Nair added.

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