Thrissur: Renowned film director and lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi slammed Kerala Sahitya Akademi President K Satchidanandan for his negative remarks about him.

Thampi said that Satchidanandan, who is a noted poet and critic, is being vengeful. He also mocked the veteran literary personality by calling him a self-proclaimed ‘international poet’.

In a conversation with Mathrubhumi News, Sreekumaran Thampi said: “Satchidanandan thinks my song is cliche. But he came out with such a statement only after I put up a Facebook post on the alleged misconduct of the Akademi. I had actually made the changes to the ‘Kerala song’ which Satchidanandan and Aboobacker had asked me to do. In fact I rewrote the first four lines,” told Thampi.

“I don’t think people in Kerala feel that my works are cliche. There might be multiple reasons for Satchidanandan to feel so. I know he  has always desired to write a proper song. In the past, I remember how Satchidanandan used to follow gifted singer Umbayee so that he could make him sing a song written by him and enjoy it. Maybe he is disappointed by the fact that my songs are extremely popular. I am sure he might be hearing them wherever he goes. It is quite natural for people to wish to write songs in films. Who does not enjoy fame? People in Kerala will always remember my songs. But in the case of Satchidanandan, I don’t think they are going to recollect any of his songs after fifty years or so!” concluded Sreekumaran Thampi.