Satchidanandan: I am happy for transtromer

KOCHI: Malayalam poet K Satchidanandan, one of the top contenders for the Nobel Prize for literature, said he was extremely happy knowing that Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer has received the world’s most enviable literary prize. “I had associated with Transtromer in 1990’s when we participated together for a poetry reading to commemorate the Bhopal gas tragedy victims. We had exchanged pleasant times together and I feel that he deserved the prize,” the poet said. The poet, who had received around 17 literary awards till date, also said he was indeed privileged by being nominated for the Nobel Prize. “For me, it was a chance for getting the deserving recognition for Malayalam literature rather than a moment of personal achievement . It is indeed gratifying that at least three of our languages received international recognition this year by being nominated for the Nobel Prize.”