Gleanings
Promoting quality fiction writing in Thamil
K.S. Sivakumaran
This week this column will report and give information to readers who
would like to know some aspects of the literary trends in Lankan Writing
in Thamil.
Let’s begin with a function held in Kolumbu Thamil Sangam in
Wellawatta on April 26, 2008. It was organized by ‘Thavaham’. This is
the acronym for Thamil Kathaignar Vattam (meaning Thamil Creative
Writers’ Circle).
This Circle is now organised by an energetic couple - Thayabaran and
his spouse Vasanthi- critical enthusiasts of contemporary Lankan Thamil
Literature. The present chairman of this Circle is Matale Karthigesu and
its secretary is Vasanthi Thayabaran.
Karthigesu is a hillcountry writer, dramatist, film producer, actor
and director. His film ‘Aval Oru Jeeva Nadhi’ was one of the better made
Lankan Thamil films.
It is ideal that a man from outside Yaalpaanam finds a place here
giving expression that parochialism cannot find a place in at least in
the Arts and Literature.
Vasanthi is a perceptive young woman who has shown herself as a
balanced literary critic and a speaker of substance.
Her husband Thayabaran too is a vibrant judge who could speak with
relevance and conviction. Like them both for their sincerity in
expression.
Vasanthi’s father was the late V. Rasiah, a respected teacher,
speaker and a balanced literary critic and evaluator.
He has authored a few books, especially writing for children.
He was also a favourite compiler and presenter of ‘Chiruvar Malar’
over the Thamil Service of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC)
some years ago.
This is Circle is in existence from 1974, although it did not
function continuously. It was started by the late V. Rasiah and another
literary man Vel Amuthan.
They organised the activities of the Circle successfully for sometime
and after the Black July of 1983, the latter went to Thellipalai and
formed another Circle there.
The two separated themselves and there was a lull.
The aim
With the function held last month, ‘Thavaham’ is back with new
energy. What is the aim of this Circle? We learn that appreciation,
creation, encouragement, evaluation, promotion of understandable fiction
writers are some of the tasks that it undertakes. This again is targeted
in three directions: Encouraging fiction writing, conducting seminars,
and publication of books.
Short stories published in Lankan newspapers and magazines in Thamil
are collected, read and evaluated quarterly and prizes are given for the
best three stories.
They also have in mind to evaluate Lankan novels in Thamil. The
Circle had held seminars and the last one on Short Stories was held in
1997 in conjunction with Thirumarai Kala Mantram that specialises in
producing plays. Some of the other valuable literary activities of the
Mantram under Rev (Prof) Maria Xavier also deserve notice. It is
noteworthy that he is a scholar in Hindu ‘Saiva Siddhantham.’
Bi-annually the prize winning stories are published as anthologies.
So far two collections have been published.
We must know the names of some of the Lankan writers in Thamil. In
this connection I remember Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha’s interest in Lankan
Thamil Literature. Please read his edition of trilingual short stories
in a book form titled ‘Bridging connections’
Lankan Short Story Writers in Thamil:
These are the names of prize winners reckoned by ‘Thavaham’: K.
Saddanathan, Theniyan, A L M Mansoor, K R David, Mathalai Somu, Sutharaj,
Ranja Kumar, Chokkan, V A Rasaratnam, Sengai Aaliyaan, Thamarai Chelvi,
Nandhi, Kura Mahal, Raja Sri Kanthan, Kohila Mahedran, K. Thanihasalam,
Pramila Selvarajah, Kanthar Madam T Mayooran, Bhavani Sivakumaran,
Nithiyakeerthi, Paadum Meen A Sriskandarajah and Sivanu Manoharan.
At the function Prof Saba Jeyarasa and Theliwatta Joseph spoke.
I would have liked to know the names of the judges as well.
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