Malabar Literature Festival, a four-day event celebrating literature, music and the culture of Malabar, began on the Kozhikode beach on Thursday evening.
Opening the event, Panakkad Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, Indian Union Muslim League State president, said Malabar and Kozhikode had a unique distinction in history as it promoted cultural exchange between local people and those who came here for trade. “The Arabs came here for trade. But they later spread India’s literature and culture across the globe too. A heart-warming bond existed between us and them. I doubt if any other coast had such a beautiful relationship between local people and those who came there,” the Thangal said. He added that the UNESCO designating Kozhikode as a ‘City of Literature’ was a tribute to its culture of social inclusiveness.
Writer Subhash Chandran delivered the keynote address. Panakkad Syed Munavvarali Shihab Thangal, festival chairperson, and M.B. Manoj were present.
