‘Goodbye to public life, leave me alone…’; Poet Balachandran Chullikkad fed up with felicitations

Poet Balachandran Chullikkad has said that he no longer wanted to be invited for any felicitation events and he is permanently withdrawing from public platforms. In a note sent to mathrubhumi.com, he said he can no longer bear the affection shown by Malayalis and that there should be a limit to everything. He also pleaded, “Please, leave me alone.”

“Recently, a group from a Gulf organisation expressed a wish — they wanted to honour me, with a shawl, cash award, and a large audience. I told them, there is a saying: ‘Even nectar turns to poison when taken in excess.’ I have spent a lifetime tolerating the admiration of Malayalis, and now I am tired of it,” wrote Chullikkad, in words laced with subtle sarcasm.

“Two years ago, the Kerala Sahitya Akademi gave a grand felicitation. Then the social media too joined. That is when I decided — no more of this. There must be a limit to everything. I am getting old. I no longer have the strength to bear the constant adoration of the public. I have withdrawn from public life for good. Please, leave me alone,” the poet continued.

He concluded by recalling another Malayalam proverb: “Even if one doesn’t receive alms, it’s enough not to be beaten with the begging bowl.”

Earlier, Balachandran Chullikkad had requested that his poems be removed from academic syllabi, saying he is not the beloved poet of Malayalis, nor does he hold any special place in the history of Malayalam poetry. He urged universities and education departments not to impose his poems on students who have no interest in it