While speaking at the session 'Why do writers use obscene words?' at the ongoing Mathrubhumi Literature Festival of Letter (MBIFL 2024), noted writer Indu Menon said she was surprised to find herself to be the only woman panellist. The other panellists were writers M. Nandakumar and V.S. Ajith. 

M Nandakumar mentioned that there is only a thin line of difference between the usage and understanding of indecent or vulgar words in writing. He gave the example of the epic 'Kumarasambhava' of Kalidasa and the 'Manmadhaleela', known for vividly portraying the intimate relationship between Parvathy and Siva. He stated that while this depiction could have been considered immoral or vulgar, it was acceptable through the lens of religion and culture.

"When the Portuguese reached India, they said that there was no scope for a tailor and cobbler in India as we were looked down upon as half-naked people. We had fewer clothes on us, and we seldom wore footwear. Hence, portraying life as it was and the language of the time as such, was accepted."

"In today's world, meta-narrative is the word. The best example of this is 'Dharmapuranam' of O.V. Vijayan. There is nothing provocative in the use of language. The text is the context and hence should be looked upon from that perspective," he stated.

Nandakumar mentioned that the cultural value system in the minds of the writer and the speaker needs to be at par to perceive the language as it is. He concluded that words are a part of human life. Categorising the language in writing as obscene or vulgar happens when the writer is detached from the context and looked upon. 

Indu Menon mentioned that she has never used any abusive, obscene words in her writing. She opined that she had made a conscious effort to maintain it as she and her family have had the bad experience of receiving anonymous letters carrying abusive and obscene words. "The family suffered until they found the identity of the writer. Hence the decision."

While analysing, Menon added that anything relating to sexual context, discrimination, swear words, taboos and blasphemy all are considered obscene. But if we consider the language from a deep and broader perspective, we can understand that obscenity is in the minds of the reader. By default, we belong to a Patriarchal system in which it has become imperative for women to play and to be placed as sacred and maintain purity in writing too.

In his book, 'The Evolution of Language,' Darwin mentioned that sounds were produced to attract a sexual partner. In Psychiatry, the tongue is equal to the genitals. There isn't any obscenity attached to it. 
Society tries to withhold the genuineness of writers in expressing by imposing such pseudo laws on Writers.

The popular writer V S Ajith listed the positive aspects of obscene language usage. He cited the example from Mahabharata, where Arjuna used obscene language on his brother Yudhishtira when he spoke ill of his  Gandheeva. This quenched his anger. If not, it would have resulted in a  murder, he opined. 

Ajith mentioned that the use of obscene words is otherwise a lethal weapon. Helplessness can be expressed through offensive words. Being a satirical writer, he said that Satire is his weapon. He expresses his anguish and unhappiness by pouring it out through scorching words.

He concluded that we have a pseudo-moral system, which we would have imbibed from the British, which forces us to behave artificially. Using obscene words wherever necessary is just organic and normal. 

The 'Bharanippattu' worship song of Kodungallur temple is an example of the fact that using the language of the heart is part of our culture. The session concluded on the note that writers should have the freedom to express the language of their hearts.

Writer V S Ajith's book, 'Innu Rathri Pathinonninu' was released by writer Indu Menon at the venue.