Literature documents mankind, his times: Bengal Governor

Kolkata: Literature is "indicative and suggestive" of social code of conduct and also teaches a lot about the human history and global surroundings, West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi said on Saturday.

"...studying, analysing literature becomes important in terms of learning about our history and the global surroundings in which one lived in the past, lives in the present and will live in the future," Tripathi said in his valedictory adddresss at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet here.

"History of literature follows the development of civilisation. It showcases the ideas based on past events and is also indicative and suggestive of the code of conduct of the society," said Tripathi, who is a poet himself.

Stating that literature is closely connected with "changes in the society, behavioural pattern of human being and social expectations", the Governor said all forms of literature could be considered as written records of human history.

"I think literature in all its forms can be seen as written records. Whether the literature is factual or fictional, it is quite possible to decipher facts through characters, actions, the author's style of writing and the intent behind the work," Tripathi added.