Literature Holds Greater Impact Than History Books Alone, Says Su. Venkatesan
Sahitya Akademi award-winning author and Member of Parliament Su. Venkatesan stated that literature created using history as an instrument generates a far deeper impact than conventional history writing. Speaking at an interaction at The Hindu office on Friday, the parliamentarian reflected on the craft of historical fiction, the creative limits of historical accuracy, and the distinct societal roles played by literature and public representation.
What Happened
During his address at The Hindu office, Su. Venkatesan explained that he sets the stories of contemporary people against historical backdrops. He noted that history functions primarily as a tool, observing that human experiences from past eras continue to repeat themselves today, which renders the boundary between a contemporary narrative and a 2,000-year-old story largely immaterial.
Addressing his debut novel, Kaval Kottam, an epic based on the history of Madurai that earned him the Sahitya Akademi award, Venkatesan clarified his decision to present it as a work of fiction rather than a purely historical text. While history books can be constructed from isolated data points, literature utilizes historical facts as tools to deliver profound emotional and human depth. To illustrate this power, he contrasted the numerous historical treatises written about the India-Pakistan Partition with the singular, lasting emotional resonance achieved by a single short story written by Saadat Hasan Manto.
Venkatesan also elaborated on his second novel, Veerayuga Nayagan Velpari, which drew upon his extensive study of the Sangam era. He explained that his depiction of that world required incorporating diverse fields of knowledge, ranging from flora and astronomy to ancient maritime wisdom, functioning as an expansive artistic portrait.
Key Highlights
- Literature as an Impactful Medium: Venkatesan noted that literature leaves a massive and lasting impact compared to basic historical records, citing Manto’s Partition fiction as evidence of storytelling’s unique reach.
- Fictional Liberty and Historical Truth: Authors cannot completely rewrite established historical facts if they want their work to endure; artistic freedom lies instead in how historical events, such as battles, are staged and dramatized.
- Dual Role as Writer and Lawmaker: While elected public representatives provide immediate relief to meet day-to-day public needs, the lifespan and influence of literature are monumental and operate on a completely different plane.
- Reclaiming Cultural Narratives: Re-telling historical epics like Velpari through the lens of modern concerns serves as a crucial political intervention conducted in the arena of cultural adversaries.
Why This Matters
Venkatesan’s remarks shed light on the creative and political dimensions of writing historical fiction. According to the author, established historical truths serve as foundational anchors that cannot be discarded without diminishing the longevity of the work. At the same time, framing historical heritage through contemporary contexts allows authors to revitalize classical narratives, transforming them from static period chronicles into active cultural and political tools.
What to Watch Next
As discussions around cultural heritage and historical interpretation continue, Venkatesan highlighted that authors and thinkers will need to keep internalizing modern realities into classical narratives to keep heritage relevant across changing political and cultural arenas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Su. Venkatesan write Kaval Kottam as a novel rather than a history text?
Su. Venkatesan noted that while a history text relies on pieces of data, literature crafts history into a narrative that creates a far greater and more enduring impact on readers.
What is Su. Venkatesan’s view on artistic liberty in historical fiction?
He explained that core historical truths cannot be altered entirely if a work is to endure. Instead, a writer’s creative freedom lies in the staging and scale of how historical events are dramatized.
How does Venkatesan differentiate his role as an MP from his work as an author?
He stated that an elected public representative addresses immediate needs and provides direct relief, whereas literature serves a completely different purpose with a monumental lifespan and impact.
Source: Reported based on remarks made by Su. Venkatesan published by The Hindu.