What does 2023 remind us? (Editorial)

Abstract

The most important event of 2024 is the third inauguration of the Modi government. Despite the reduced majority, Narendra Modi and his party have become an irresistible force for India. Can this be reduced to just the formation of a government? We should also consider the many values   put forward by him/his party. How will the people accept this? Should we consider our own survival as just a few hours or days? In some cases, there may be people who have to face life like that.
For Kerala, the landslide in Wayanad turned out to be the biggest disaster by trivializing the other problems of 2024. The landslide that occurred at the end of July caused various types of damage in the areas of Mundakai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Jalalmuttam in Meppadi panchayat, and it can be seen that life there has not returned to the same place it was before. The reopening of schools there and the gathering of students were all great tears in Kerala. However, as in the 2017 flood disaster, the people all stood together, worked for Wayanad, and showed their willingness to help.
This is another year that has brought many achievements in the Malayalam film industry. Not only has the number of blockbuster films increased, but with the huge success of the film Manjummal Boys, which was associated with Tamil Nadu, and the film Premam, which was associated with Hyderabad, the trend of popular Malayalam films has changed in Indian cinema itself. Moreover, after 30 years, an Indian film is entering the competition section at the Cannes Film Festival. It is also unique in that it was directed by a woman, Payal Kapadia. Malayalam film stars Divya Prabha and Kani Kusruthi have played the lead roles in it. Not only was the film Ahaha Mla Shamazhashila Me Hashazhaway screened at the Cannes Film Festival, but it also made Kerala’s presence known there in various ways. Kani came there to attend its premiere show, carrying a bag of incense sticks declaring solidarity with Palestine.
This not only shows the solidarity of the people of Kerala/India with the Palestinian people. It has become a protest aimed at creating awareness among the world about the political awareness of Malayali/Indian women who pursue politics alongside their lives and careers. What we found most fascinating were the things that Payal Kaladia, the director of the film, said in her speech about Malayalam cinema after the film won the Grand Award. It was about the Malayali audience. She said that the Malayali audience is very receptive to diverse films and even art house films get distribution there. He added that these characteristics cannot be seen anywhere else in India. However, the dichotomy of art cinema/commercial cinema has been subverted in Malayalam cinema to the point where it is even doubtful how they distinguish between art films in Malayalam cinema.
Regarding literature, the death of M. T. Vasudevan Nair is considered the greatest loss in 2024. Many generations have come after him. Various literary movements have also passed MT. Yet it is surprising that MT is read. I personally have various ideological disagreements with MT’s literary works. Many critics have clearly written that. However, the characters created by MT can never be removed from our reading world. A small incident or conversation is enough for MT’s characters to be imprinted in our minds with all their strangeness. Such is his subtlety in character portrayal. Literary activities in Malappuram district also owe a lot to MT. The Thunchan Paramba in Tirur was elevated to the status of a writer’s memorial due to the efforts of a man named MT. Through this, we can see the very face of Tirur changing. When a land called Tirur is remembered in the name of a writer, it is not only the recognition that the writer receives, but also the acceptance of literature among the people and the Thunchan Paramba gives us a message that there is a people here who are proud of their land being known in the name of literature. It was MT who transformed what was once a cultural space.
Editor