Literature is more powerful than history: Su. Venkatesan
Author and MP Su. Venkatesan argues that literature is a more powerful tool than history for conveying the human impact of past events. He explains that his novels use historical settings to explore contemporary themes, emphasizing that artistic liberty allows for a deeper emotional resonance than factual records alone.
Why it matters
This perspective highlights the role of creative arts in shaping cultural memory and the public's understanding of historical narratives.
Literature is more powerful than merely writing history directly. Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer and Member of Parliament Su. Venkatesan stated that literature created using history as a tool leaves a massive impact.
Speaking on Friday at The Hindu office, Su. Venkatesan shared that he narrates the stories of contemporary people against a historical backdrop. “History is a tool. What happened yesterday is what is happening today as well. Therefore, what difference does it make whether we speak about a 2,000-year-old story or a story of today?” he asked.
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