Strings attached

The panel included a poet from Sri Lanka Sharmila Seyyid, Perumal Murugan’s publisher Kannan Sundaram and musician TM Krishna.

Samanvay, literature festival, Sharmila Seyyid, Perumal Murugan, publisher Kannan Sundaram, Kannan Sundaram, musician TM Krishna, TM Krishna

(From left) Sharmila Seyyid, AR Venkatachalapathy, Kannan Sundaram, TM Krishna. ILF Samanvay 2015

There was never any golden age of tolerance. It’s as if when the immunity of the body goes down, all kinds of diseases surface,” said AR Venkatachalapathy, who moderated a session, titled “The Bound Word: On Creativity and Censorship” as Samanvay, a festival of literature, tackled the hostilities that increasingly threaten creativity, commentary and alternative opinions.

The panel included a poet from Sri Lanka Sharmila Seyyid, Perumal Murugan’s publisher Kannan Sundaram and musician TM Krishna. The discussion was held in the context of Murugan being persecuted by Hindu groups for the novel Madhorubhagan, to the extent that he announced online, “Perumal Murugan, the writer is dead. As he is no God, he is not going to resurrect himself. He has no faith in rebirth. As an ordinary teacher, he will live as P Murugan.

Leave him alone.” While the novel was being burnt and a disillusioned Murugan insisted on withdrawing it, the publisher attempted to keep the distribution channels alive. “The book was sold in the black market and it became the first Tamil book to appear in a pirated edition,” said Kannan, who received a hate call that greeted him as “enemy of Hinduism”. The panel agreed that censorship had traditionally come from the state, but today it is non-state players who are successfully stopping works they disagree with. “I believe women are a soft target in all the communities,” said Seyyid. She had created a furore among the Muslim community by speaking about legalising sex work. A photo of her face was superimposed onto that of a raped and murdered woman and circulated online.

Turning to Venkatachalapathy, Seyyid said, “You introduced me as a Sri Lankan Muslim Tamil woman, that is four identities. When a Muslim woman starts to write, every aspect of her is noticed, from how she dresses to how she talks. Everything is criticised.” Krishna pointed out that there weren’t enough voices raised for Koval, an ultra-left singer who has been charged with sedition by Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Does the tradition of protest in the country against persecution also reveal a language and class barrier?

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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