# S. Jayachandran Nair/ Shabita
M. Until now, Malayalam literature has not been able to pronounce the name Krishnan Nair except with deep fear. According to M.Krishnan Nair, there was a time when Malayalam used to be a literary festival. Starting with the literary publication Malayalam Nadu through Kalakaumudi and later through Samakalikamalayam, Sahitya Week has predicted the past, future and present of writers for three and a half decades. S. Editor Jayachandran Nair witnessed many good moments in Malayalam literature. Sahitya Week results reached the readers through the hands of S.J. M. SJ talks about Sahityavaraphala and Panktikaran on birth centenary of Krishnan Nair.
M. is a verse recited in Malayalam for thirty-six years continuously. Sahitya Week Result written by Krishnan Nair. After Malayalam Nadu, when S.J was the editor, Kalakaumudi published Sahityavaraphala as a column. Can you elaborate on the background of this line?
mSahityavarafala is a small seedling that was transplanted from Layalanad to Kalakaumudi and gradually grew into a big tree that overshadowed Malayalam literature. The pains Krishnan Nair sir went through to keep the line alive so that the curiosity and interest of the readers would not be lost was beyond belief. The word rest was unfamiliar to him. In a sense, Sir’s income was a co-reward of this. Apart from his pension, he had no other savings. But Sir, he lived richly. His prodigy was only buying books at a bargain price. Moderate food is full of satisfaction. Literature gave him everything. Sir did not love letters. was worshiping; A holy pooja.
Sahityavaraphala is another form of ruthless criticism. S. Did the editor at J feel sorry for the victimized writers?
His observations angered many. He did not just shoot arrows. In wielding it as a target, the dexterity displayed by Sir was inimitable. Why pity? He used to say, let him who eats salt drink water. He was never averse to extolling works which he thought were good, or which he liked. He used that amazing technique to give and rub.
M.Krishnan Nair said through his criticisms that what literature is not rather than what literature is. As an editor, was there ever a time when you had to disagree with the writer?
That’s right. Many people who have been the object of sharp criticism have been angry with me. But from the very beginning, I was determined not to take away a word or a line from that line. Personally, I have maintained that as a creed.
What was he like personally? Was the quality of writing reflected in character?
He appeared tough on the outside, but he had a heart. He used to leave home every evening and go to Modern Books to chat with Sudhir and buy new books. On the way back, a small cake for Kochumolk and a packet of pliers cigarettes. He would not have smoked it all. A couple of cigarettes will be kept for me, who goes once a week. Cigarettes with tea.
He used many excellent works of world literature and famous sayings of famous writers in Sahitya Week, and many of its expressions were enough to make the writers laugh. Can he be described as an encyclopedia of literature?
He never compromised on the need to maintain some courtesy in interactions. ‘Sujanamaryada’ was Sir’s favorite word. Sir insisted on getting back the love and respect he was giving. So he has personally suffered many losses. He had only one son besides daughters. The untimely death of that young man deeply shook Sir’s life. I know that he never liked or loved anyone unreservedly after that. Remembering Sir’s wife who sacrificed her life for his comfort against all odds… No, I can’t explain it.
A critic who is not affected by the socio-cultural influence of writers. As an editor, how do you think about the field of literary criticism today?
Many people were intolerant after reading criticisms of his writings in Sahitya Week. Some had scolded or blamed me. It was explained to them that the four pages of the weekly were given to Sir and that I had no moral right to interfere or touch them. I have never been so devoted to freedom of speech. It has given me many losses. Only obstacles occur during the journey.
Has he experienced the personal hatred of writers? Were such animosities evident in letters to the editor?
The feature of the Sahitya Warafala was that it brought the mind of the Malayali to the best literary works. Sir’s knowledge and understanding was deep enough to comment in a sentence or two. I didn’t look to see if the writers were personal. Writers do not write letters to their own addresses. If there was, that too would have been published. But the readers’ letters had no cotton. I disagree with him only on one point. His recitation of poetry was awkward. But that did not deter him.
How were the readers’ reactions? Was M.Krishnan Nair’s way of showing how to read a literary work acceptable to readers in general? Or was it the so-called intellectual reading guidance?
How many controversies! How many minds were cut by his sharp observations. And the number of people who were waiting for that good verse of sir was innumerable. Sir believed that he was on a mission. He did not take into account the future.
M. stated that there are no original writers in Malayalam literature. Krishnan Nairod as editor and S. as reader. What attitude did Jake have?
I am indebted to him for the rest of my life. When I left Kalakaumudi and started contemporary Malayalam, two people came with me. Artist Namboothiri and Krishnan Nair sir. What motivated them? I still haven’t been able to get to the answer.
Did he allow healthy arguments?
Pankti Sir saw Pankti as a platform to share his experiences and observations about the books he read to make the evening spent with friends more effective. He was a believer that life is not a moment to waste. I like to describe him as a holy literary Sufi who gave meaning and sacredness to words than his own life.
Can you share your editing experience as the person who penned the line he writes?
Indeed, the column helped the weekly’s circulation. I even feared that the weekly would not survive without it. Sir also knew about it. That is why he never tolerated making a typo while printing in line. Earlier it was decided not to put pen to paper.
When criticizing him by name on the line, Sar did not think that he was destroying his freedom personally. A crusade for the public—he conceived. He often reminded me of Sacho Pasa.
He described himself as Sahityavarafala as an avial of literary journalism and Eshani. As an editor, how do you view the results of Sahitya Week?
When I look back on the fact that the enemies killed me without killing me, I feel like sitting alone and laughing. Those who threw stones did not believe it was a waste. Me too!