‘I'm not Malayalam's beloved poet; remove my poems from syllabus,’ reiterates Chullikkad

Renowned Malayalam poet Balachandran Chullikkad has reiterated his request to remove his poems from school and university syllabi. In a note addressed to his friends on Monday, the poet firmly stated that he does not write poetry for the general public, students, teachers or researchers. Instead, he writes solely for a select group of like-minded readers who truly appreciate his work.

Chullikkad expressed his frustration after receiving a message from a friend, a Malayalam teacher, who remarked on the inclusion of his poem Sandarshanam in the Plus One Malayalam syllabus. The message read: "Checking the Plus One Malayalam exam paper.

The biggest punishment a poet can receive is having their work included in the textbook! Truly unfortunate!"

In response, Chullikkad reaffirmed his long-standing stance that his poetry should not be included in academic syllabi. He had previously made an official request to the authorities to exclude his works, urging that his poems should not be misused for academic purposes.

"If a syllabus committee’s generosity is what determines the survival of a poet and his poetry, I do not need such survival," he wrote. "I am not everyone's poet. As some claim, I am not 'Malayalam's beloved poet' either. I hold no important place in the history of Malayalam poetry. I write for a small circle of like-minded readers, and it is for them alone that I create poetry. Whether I recite it before an audience or publish it in the media, it remains an intimate exchange of memories."

He further emphasised that his poetry is not meant for mass consumption, literary enjoyment by the public, or academic study by students and researchers. "Only those who truly wish to read my poetry should do so. If no one finds value in my work, then both my poetry and I should fade into obscurity. My poems should not be forcibly imposed upon students who do not need them," he stated.

Concluding his appeal, Chullikkad made a fresh request to syllabus committees, urging them once again to remove his poetry from academic curriculums. "I am officially sending this request to all universities and the Department of Education," he wrote.