Open conversations a must in democracy: Hareesh

Kochi: Human affinity towards narrating stories and listening to them shows that a democratic process lies at the core of human existence, said writer S Hareesh, who recently won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for the best novel.
Hareesh, who is also the scriptwriter for the film ‘Churuli’ directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, being screened at the international competition section of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), said the pandemic has shown that art has the potential to bring people close together.
“Art has been with us since the beginning of the human race and the time demands that we engage in debates and conversations about art because it also concerns our democracy. Conversations are always important in democracy and we need to keep them open,” he said inaugurating the open forum on cinema in the aftermath of disaster.
Hareesh said the state is always fearful of democracy and art and this is now reflected in the censorship even in OTT platforms. “Today they have arrested someone in the name of sharing a toolkit. This is because they fear the process of democracy. They also fear art and that’s the reason why they lock-up artists and filmmakers and censor OTT platforms,” he said.
Director Don Palathara said that the decision of the authorities to hold the festival in four zones despite the Covid-19 crisis is admirable. “The decision to conduct the festival in locations spread across the state ensured that filmmakers like me, who find it hard to get theatrical releases, could reach out to more people,” said Palathara, whose two films — ‘1965, Central Travancore’ and ‘Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam (Joyful Mystery) — are being screened at the festival.
Critics K P Jayakumar, G P Ramachandran and director Sohan Seenulal also spoke at the forum.
A special event paying tributes to 43 artists and directors who passed away recently was also held at Sarita theatre on Thursday. While director Renjith, delivered a lecture in memory of director Sachi and Anil Nedumangad, IFFK vice-president Bina Paul spoke on Kim Ki Duk, Fernando Solanus, Soumitra Chatterjee and Bhanu Athaiya. Music director Sudeep Palanadu spoke on ‘Karie’ director Shanavas Naranipuzha, while music director Bijibal spoke on S P Balasubrahmanyam and Anil Panchooran.