The first day of The Hindu’s Lit for Life 2025 explored the power of words and language, Tamil poetry, and literary discussions
The opening day of The Hindu Lit for Life 2025 in Chennai featured 20 enriching discussions, spread across two venues at Lady Andal school. The origin of words, how they steer the course of our lives, and how they have shaped the modern Tamil psyche represent but a small sample of how the first day of The Hindu’s Lit for Life 2025 unfolded.
Eminent physician and author Dr. Abraham Verghese, in the inaugural session, noted that the “only instrument that can stop time in this world is a novel.” Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, emboldened this statement in the following session as he spoke extensively about his “word ethic.”
Meanwhile, Perundevi and Bogan Sankar agreed modernity has created a certain ambiguity, complexity in the sphere of Tamil poetry. Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson (The Hindu Group), in a conversation with Anita Ratnam elucidated on the Tamil spirit, which she said enables the Tamil people to “change ourselves to the larger framework, without losing our sense of self.”
German author Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann spoke on how language and translation shaped their International Booker Prize-winning novel Kairos.
The event will further see Francesc Miralles unravel the secrets of Ikigai and the audience will get to be a part of wide ranging conversations and discussions. Sex educator, author, and entrepreneur Leeza Mangaldas challenged societal norms on sex education and pleasure at The Hindu Lit for Life event.
