'Thampi's work not suitable for situation, Harinarayanan's song seemed better'; Kerala Sahitya Akademi rejects Sreekumaran Thampi's 'Kerala song'

THRISSUR: Kerala Sahitya Akademi president K Satchidanandan confirmed about rejecting the Kerala song written by poet Sreekumaran Thampi. The chairman said the song was rejected based on a unanimous decision from the committee members.

According to K Satchidanandan

In the earlier meeting held, Sreekumaran Thampi was chosen to write the song. But when the song was put before the committee, many of them felt something was out of place. Another song written by lyricist Harinarayanan seemed better. The song will be composed by Bijibal and will be again put before the committee for approval. I hope that the committee will accept it.

Hari's song is very simple and may hit the right chord with people. It is yet to be known whether the secretary informed Sreekumaran Thampi about his song getting rejected. Thampi had sent the song he wrote through WhatsApp, so I am not yet fully aware whether the secretary informed him back.

I have immense respect for Sreekuamran Thampi’s work. But this is a combined process and it is the committee that decides a song, not an individual. Thampi’s songs were not lucid and had many hard convoluted lines that may have repulsed the committee members. Moreover, the song was not suitable for any singer to easily hum.

The committee consists of members who are well-versed in music and poetry. They found Thampi’s music not in sync with what the program recommended. His repertoire will be always admired. It is just his one song that is rejected, that too, only for being too good for the program.

The ongoing controversy against the academy is not believed to be any work of any conspiracy. Someone may be working to turn small things into big controversies on social media.

Meanwhile, Academy Secretary C P Aboobacker said that no decision has been taken on the Kerala song. "Committees are formed and meetings are held. The song will be accepted only after the committee ensures that it is a good song. It is a song dedicated to the people of Kerala. In it, the history and culture of Kerala should come in a manner acceptable to all people."