I'm a good writer than a good orator:Daman Singh

Thiruvananthapuram: For many centuries, historians have sought to find ways of presenting their histories. Then and now scholars tried to perceive, depict and describe history, and across the centuries they changed this. In recent decades this issue has become more even more complex as variety of historical topics studied widened not only into specialized fields, but also in the use of literature.

Noted Ukrainian novelist and independent thinker Andrey Kurkov while talking about the power of historical perception at Mathrubhumi Hall in Kanakakunnu Palace as part of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2019 said that the history of one country is fighting with the history of another. Amandeep Sandhu moderated the session in which noted writers Daman Singh and Jonathan Davidson also delved.

Kurkov said that the history comes to the surface in all cases by exemplifying the story of a dog named lulu that goes around listening the whispers of a city.  

Noted writer Daman Singh, daughter of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh talked about her book ‘Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan’. She said that it is an account of her parents’ life. It contains the memory of her parents and not about her family history. In her opinion one should learn history thoroughly before writing it. She affirmed herself as a good writer than a good orator.

In response Jonathan Davidson read out an excerpt from his book in which he explains about the historical perception of powers. The idea of becoming conscious of the subjectivity of our perceptions is an admittedly abstract one. But human perception, and their ramifications, are very real and potentially-life changing. So the power of perception is to live more conscious lives and, perhaps, to even recast the direst situations in which we find ourselves.

The talks ended up with an interaction section with the listeners. The MBIFL19 will conclude today with a valedictory session.