Mathrubhumi to celebrate Basheer centenary

Kozhikode, Nov 12: In a befitting tribute to well-known writer Vaikkom Muhammed Basheer, leading Malayalam daily 'Mathrubhumi' on Wednesday, Nov 12 announced an array of programmes to celeberate his birth centenary here from November 15.

Titled ''Mathrubhumi and Basheer - hundred years of Basheer,'' the programmes included plays ''Moon Shine and Sky Tophy'' and 'Sangathi Arinjo'' based on the works of the writer by the Chennai-based troupe 'Perche,' Mathrubhumi Chairman and Managing Directore M P Veerendera Kumar, MP, and Managing Editor P V Chandran told reporters here.

Fabi Basheer, widow of the writer, their daughter Shahina, sculptor M Devan, close friend and ace photographer Punalur Rajan would be honoured at the three-day function to be held at the Tagore Centenary Hall.

The function would also witness release of two books ''Bahseer, Ormakkappuram'' by Punalur Rajan, ''Mathrubhumi and Basheer,'' a compilation of his works appeared in the daily from 1940, They said.

Photo exhibition on the writer, painting competition for children, Basheer quiz, ghazal nite by Gayatri and Nishad, Basheer Mala by V M Kutty, Mehfil by K P Udayabhanu and Rajalakshmi were the other highlights of the programme.

The event to be inaugurated by noted critic Sukumar Azhikode would be graced by literary figures Dr U R Ananthamurthy, M Mukundan, U A Khader, C Radhakrishan and Punathil Kunhabdulla, among others.

UNI