'Will pay lakhs for mimicry event but just Rs 2400 for me'; Writer Balachandran Chullikkad reveals shameful incident

KOCHI: Eminent writer Balachandran Chullikkad expressed strong displeasure on the way he was treated by Sahitya Akademi officials at the International Literature Festival of Kerala. Chullikkad said he received a paltry Rs 2400 for addressing the event and revealed how he had to pay from his pocket for all the travel expenses.

The criticizing post on Facebook came in the account of CICC Jayachandran quoting Balachandran Chullikad. According to the note, the Akademi had invited him to speak on Kumaranashan's Karunakavyam on the morning of January 30 and Chullikad kept obeisance and talked at the event for straight two hours.

Chullikkad’s facebook post:

It was on the thirtieth of January (30-01-2024) that I understood the respect Kerala has for me. The Akademi had invited me to speak on Kumaranashan's Karunakavyam on the morning of January 30.

I reached there on time and spoke for two hours on the subject. Everything I spoke at the event was the result of my struggle to learn Ashan poems over the last 50 years. For all the commitment I gave, the Akademi handed me just Rs 2400. The taxi from Ernakulam to Thrissur cost me three thousand five hundred rupees (3500/-) including the waiting charge and driver's bata.

I had to pay the driver the remaining Rs 1100 from the money I earned acting in serials.

Dear enlightened Malayalis, I never have grovelled in front of ministers for awards, and will never do it. In the name of cultural activities or events, I request you all to never disturb me again. I won’t attend any function hereafter.

For mimicry and singing, Malayalis are ready to pay lakhs, but for a poet like me, the price that you people fixed was Rs 2400. So like I said, I won’t attend any more functions, and I have many good things to do.