Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has emphasized the significant cultural connection between France and Kerala, highlighting the profound influence of French literature on the state's writers and politicians. Tharoor made these remarks at the launch of the "Pardon My French" bookshelf at DC Books, an event organized by the French Institute of India.
Tharoor noted that French culture and ideas have permeated the collective consciousness in Kerala through political writing and an appreciation for the values of democracy, liberty, equality, and fraternity. He pointed out the extraordinary contributions of French writers, which have paved the way for new modes of thought and expression in Kerala's literary and political landscape.
He recalled a transformative moment in Kerala's literary history when, over a century ago, Nalappat Narayana Menon translated Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables" into Malayalam as "Paavangal." According to Tharoor this was not a mere translation but a cultural transplantation that resonated deeply within Kerala. The state embraced it with gratitude and revolutionary fervor.
The impact of "Paavangal" was such that it ignited a spark in the mind of E.M.S. Namboodiripad, a prominent communist leader and the first Chief Minister of Kerala, leading him towards Marxist ideology. Tharoor further noted that writers like Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai and O.V. Vijayan found a new idiom of empathy, narrative possibilities, and a fresh perspective to view the oppressed through translated French works. "Paavangal" became a weapon for awakening, contributing significantly to the social ferment and visionary movements in Kerala from the 1930s onwards.
Tharoor also mentioned that many Malayalis began translating French and Russian fiction, including the works of Guy de Maupassant, Victor Hugo, and Émile Zola, opening up Malayali minds to the challenges of realism and introspection. This exposure allowed them to discover literature that mirrored and questioned society.
During the "Pardon My French!" bookshelf launch, which aimed to bring French literature closer to Indian readers through curated translations, Tharoor engaged in a conversation with Thierry Mathou, the Ambassador of France to India, exploring the enduring influence of French storytelling on Indian readers and the cultural commonalities between India and France. Tharoor highlighted Victor Hugo's role in making French literature accessible and emphasized the value of literary exchange in broadening perspectives and fostering creativity.
He drew parallels between Indian and French societies, particularly their shared emphasis on intellectual discussion and community forums, referencing the Malayali "chayakkada" and Bengali "adda" as spaces akin to French café culture, where people gather to discuss diverse topics. Ambassador Mathou expressed hope that the "Pardon My French!" initiative would spark curiosity about French literature among Indian readers, especially the youth, viewing literature as a bridge between cultures.
Tharoor has described "Pavangal" as profoundly impacting Kerala politics, stating that it ignited a fire in the young political minds of the time and stirred a generation to act. He also noted that reading French literature opens a world where beauty and pain coexist, citing the moral complexity of Albert Camus, the passion of Victor Hugo, the subtle defiance of Colette, and the psychological depth of Marguerite Duras as guides to understanding the human condition.
