Mysore/Mysuru: Renowned writer Vasudhendra expressed his perspective that the depiction and praise of Maharajas in our historical records are far from the reality.

He shared his views on the topic “Uncommon tales from unexpected realms” during the afternoon session of the Mysuru Literature Festival. Vasudhendra argued that rulers, like all individuals, have both positive and negative aspects in their actions, driven by the desire to retain power and expand their kingdoms.

Therefore, he advised writers not to idolise one ruler while demonising another. Instead, he emphasised the importance of writing stories that resonate with the common people and urged the present generation to seek the truth and facts before forming opinions.Vasudhendra lamented the distortion of history by certain authors and stressed the need to understand the messages conveyed by mythological, historical, fictional and story books to the current generation. He pointed out the difficulty of truly comprehending the lives of people during the 16th century, when rulers such as Krishnadevaraya, Devaraya the second, Bhamani sultans, Bijapur sultans and the Keladi dynasty governed Karnataka, as their objectives varied from one another. During his address, writer Dr. Arun Krishnan acknowledged that he was not a historian but attempted to write a book on the rulers of the 17th century. However, he faced challenges in acquiring the necessary facts and figures. He emphasised the significance of mastering language for writers and highlighted that books can gain popularity only if they are written in a clear and accessible manner.

Dr. Arun Krishnan also noted that Karnataka has become a hotbed for a contentious debate on the rule of Tipu Sultan, with some writers praising him and others demonising him. He advocated for an approach of recognising both the good work accomplished by Tipu and acknowledging his wrongdoings, asserting that nothing can be achieved through hatred. He concluded by emphasising the importance of humanity above all else. Other panellists included writers Dr. Shiv Shastry, Kamini Dandapani and Gayatri.