Lesbian-themed novel denied venue for release

A lesbian-themed novel is reviving debates on culture codes and curbs on literary expression after authorities of a prominent women’s college in Kochi revoked permission to use the college as the venue for the book’s formal release.

Meenukal Chumbikkunnu (The Fish Are Kissing), a novel by freelance journalist and writer Sree Parvathy, was scheduled to be released on May 14 at St Teresa’s College.   But the event was cancelled after the college authorities backed out, apparently after learning about the theme of the novel. Sree Parvathy said the college authorities conveyed their decision through the organisers, a week after St Teresa’s was finalised as the venue for the event.

“I’m told that the issue is the theme of the novel and that it was being released at an all-women college. We had printed brochures of the event after obtaining the college authorities’ permission. The authorities backed out after reading the brochures, which briefly discuss the content of the novel,” she told DH on Wednesday.

Sajimol Augustine M, college principal, while stating that the permission for the event was denied, said she was not aware of the reasons for the same. Officials designated to sanction and monitor events held in the college were not available for comment.

Sree Parvathy said the novel, her first, was an attempt to look at relationships among women beyond the “curiosity” of sexually charged male imagination. She also dismissed suggestions of a manufactured controversy, considering the choice of a Christian educational institution for the release of the novel.

“The fact is that we never thought on religious lines; all we wanted to do was to release the book on a stage that had women, in the presence of women,” Sree Parvathy said. Even as the writer pointed out the irony in such strictures being imposed in an institution identified with modern and progressive students, support for her emerged on social media.

Sree Parvathy and her publishers have decided to organise the event at a children’s park near the original venue; same day, same time.