The session on Children’s literature and the challenges named, ‘Balan allatha Balan’ witnessed a large crowd with highly engaging audience. Dr K Sreekumar, the renowned Children’s writer, Movie director and Writer Sreebala K Menon, Writers Lakshmi Nambiar and Devabala S spoke at the Session.
The points of discussion on the topic are as follows; The biggest challenge that the writers face during the times is the choice of content and language style for children. The wide exposure that children have, leave writers with fewer choices to create interesting work for them.
Translated versions of Epics and simplification of language have been overrun by audio and video stories. Another area of trouble is when adults decide the literature for children. Feedback from children on the book can help rectify this problem to an extent.
Fewer books are present for teenagers compared to children till the age of 10. This leaves a void in reading when it doesn’t cater to their need. Adult writers of Children’s literature undergo painful transformation as they have to be empathetic and relative throughout the process. Children decide what they need and hence it’s a better solution when creative writers of all age take up children’s writing without differentiation between writer for adults or for children.
The interactive session emphasised on the need for better understanding and reformation in Children’s Literature.
