Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Sahitya Akademi President K Satchidanandan has responded to the recent allegations made by poet Balachandran Chullikkad, emphasising that he perceives the matter as a general issue rather than a personal one. He maintained that challenges in administration had led to the problems faced by Chullikkad during the International Literature Festival of Kerala (ILFK).
He said that the academy has initiated measures to address and resolve the problem. He pointed out that the ILFK program is conducted with limited funds, and the academy regrets any inconvenience caused to Chullikkad.
Balachandran Chullikkad said that he was insulted by the Sahitya Academy, which gave him just 2400 rupees for his participation in the ILFK organised by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi. He had been invited to speak on Kumaranashan’s Karunakavyam on January 30. He said that he reached the place on time, delivered a two-hour speech, but received an inadequate payment.
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