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Gleanings:
Lankan literary activities in Thamil
K.S. Sivakumaran
Literary activities in Thamil also constitute Lankan Culture. Non-Thamilian
historians, particularly historians of literature, conveniently skip
this aspect with an apology that they could not read or write or speak
Thamil, which is one of the recognised world languages.
Hence yours truly write about these matters as well, as he would
write about activities in English and Sinhala. This state of affairs is
both funny and ironical.
Let me report on some of the very recent activities based in Colombo.
First, I want to write briefly about an author, columnist and a doctor
of medicine. He is Dr M. K. Muruganandan. Like Emeritus Professor Carlo
Fonseka who writes in English and Sinhala. MKM too writes about matters
of art and literature in the Thamil medium.
MKM has authored many books in Thamil, most of them on Health. In
fact he was the first one the world to write Thamil on AIDS.
His other books are on various branches of medicine and treatment and
elucidative on relevant problems pertaining to health and child birth.
As an MBBS medicine man he had practised in various parts of the country
including his native place in Vyapaari Moolai in Paruthi Thurai (Pt.
Pedro), at present he heads private clinic in Wellawatte. Kind, affable
and patient he treats his patients with a psychological approach which
is rewarding.
Basically a humanist with a progressive stance, he is also spiritual
in his outlook. His creative abilities lie in his writing fiction. He is
also one of the balanced literary critics locally and a literary
columnist. His columns are available on the Internet. He has a Bog too.
One of his very interesting books is called "From A Doctor's Diary"
where he writes about literature, personalities, cinema and other
matters.
MKM is a fine moderator in conducting symposiums, book launches and
discussions. His hallmark is an ability to transfer knowledge in a
scientific manner and focus on the right things. He doesn't go astray as
many speakers who are writers in Thamil do.
While he was in Yalpaanam (Jaffna) he had published seven books and
one of them about Hints for pregnant Ladies won the Sahithya Award. This
book and the one on AIDS had seen more than five impressions.
They were very popular because of the simple and clear style and also
productive. His book Neengal Nalamaaha also won a Sahithya Award and an
award from Yaal Ilakkiya Vattam. Yet another book of his is
Maranthupoahatha Sila. When his mother died he brought out a publication
in her memory called Amma. This included contributions by others on the
theme of 'Mother'. His books are researched by University students for
their theses. So far he has written 11 books.
His articles and columns appear frequently in Yaalpaanam and Colombo
based newspapers and journals.
We learn that in the north he used to convene literary get together
and discuss literature and arts in his home. In the late 1990s, he
regularly appeared over the Rupavahini answering questions by the
presenters and listeners on vital diseases.
The Sri Lanka Institute for the Advancement of Science recognised his
services with an Award itself are a pointer.
Dr MKM also writes under the pen name "Alagu Santhosh". He had been
interviewed and featured in the Thamil press. The literary magazine
Mallikai published his picture in its front cover and featured him. An
unassuming human dynamo, MKM is a proud product of the Yaalpaanam soil.
[email protected]
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