I just read this short story. Two things struck immediately. I had written about people going on pilgrimage from south to Varanasi (Kasi, the holiest of Indian cities by foot). My grandma's grandma did this The Family Autocrat – Tribute To My Grandma. Google maps tells me the distance is about 1910 Kilo Meters about... Continue Reading →
This story from Thi Janakiraman is from collection of Thi Jaa's Short Stories. Thi Janakiraman had this unique ability. In few short sentences, he would bring a character to life and some of these characters stay in memory forever. He is undoubtedly the master of Modern Tamil Short Stories. Read on..... ஆயா - தி ஜானகிராமன்... Continue Reading →
I have translated some of the stories from this collection by Thi. Janakiraman, Crown of Thorns – முள்முடி – Thi Janakiraman, Pathu Chetti – Thi Janakiraman, Complaint – Thi Janakiraman, Mr. Dash Dash Dash – Thi Janakiraman and couple of other stories. Not sure how did I miss this one. Only a genius like Mr. Janakiraman can expound philosophy... Continue Reading →
Vinay, my nephew thinks that the competition in India is scary today for getting a job. Of course, being a millennial, he would not know about the India with its noble(?) socialistic ideas which was making the country progress with two to three percent growth. Forget competition, there were no jobs except for the ones... Continue Reading →
To me, Sujatha still remains the most popular writer in Tamil Language. As I have mentioned before, some of his short stories are really good. He is a master storyteller. He constructs his stories concisely and the conversations are always precise. Even a two line description would provide the background and the characters of the... Continue Reading →
One of my favourite Asokamitran's story. As I have mentioned in my earlier translations of his stories, Flag Hoisting – Asokamitran, Two Finger Typing – Asokamitran, Asokamitran does not dwell too much on description or commentary. A sentence or two and he would jump to conversation. But that sentence or two would always stay in memory. I... Continue Reading →
Ki Rajanarayanan, popularly known as Ki Ra, an award winning writer best known for his ‘Gopallpuram Village’ novel, has written about the land of black soil and its people for over 40 years. ‘Karisal Kadu‘ or the black soil is the driest place in Tamil Nadu and living is an every day struggle. I have... Continue Reading →
Teachers are fascinating people. At least I can say that about the teachers till I was in school. They inspire thousands of students every year. I have mentioned about two such teachers of mine in my blog, Two Great Teachers. Some of the most interesting short stories I have translated are about teachers, Ku Azhagirisamy's Kumarapuram... Continue Reading →
I think writing humorous stories is more difficult than writing a heart-wrenching hundred pages tome. Only few writers could do that successfully. Wodehouse could write hundreds of novels which could keep you laughing for hours but he was one of his kind. In Tamil, Devan was very successful and his Thuppariyum Sambu (deductive Sambu was... Continue Reading →
Education is probably the biggest business in India, just after medical care. The main reason is when the Government fails to provide a quality eduction and healthcare, private players step in which then becomes a business; profits and profiteering become the motives. This story talks about how educating people was considered a noble activity in... Continue Reading →
