Gleanings

Anuradhapura: Thamil literary log

Last Saturday (May 23, 2009) Anu Vai Nagarajan was felicitated by the Tellipalai Kalai Ilakkiyak Kalam (Arts / Literature Forum of Tellipalai) felicitated in advance the 75th birthday (May 25, 2009) for his multi-faceted contribution to various fields in Lankan Thamil Literature besides having been a social worker at a function held in Kolumbu Thamil Sangam in Wellawatta presided by Kalabooshanam and Saiva Pulavar S. Sellathurai.

The speakers included Emeritus Prof Saba Jeyarasa (President of the KTS), S O. Pathmanathan (poet and critic), Sovanna Thevarasa (dramatist, editor, speaker and attorney) physician T. Gnanasekeran (Editor of 'Gnanam').and Kokila Mahendran (educationist, writer, critic and counselor). Her husband a retired principal K. Mahendrarajah is the behind the scene member of the TKIK.

Anu Y Nagarajan had studied and worked in Anuradhapura when he was young before he moved out of the ancient city. 'Anu' before his name is the shortened form of Anuradhapura His 2004 book Karuththum Eluththun (Idea & Writing) and a 32 page short account of the writer and his work were issued free to the members of the audience as published by the organizers.

What is to be noted here that Thamilians like Amu Y Nagarajan had enriched Lankan Culture springing from the Rajarata once reigned by Sinhala and Thamil monarchs. The educationist who later taught in Colombo schools like Royal College. He was a scout master besides a writer for the Juveniles besides writing and publishing more than 15 books on various subjects that were newly introduced in Lankan Thamil Writing. He was instrumental in encouraging young Islamic people in Anuradhapura to write.

The booklet on the literary contributions of Anu Y Nagarajan enlists his accomplishments. It includes photographs in colour of the writer and his family. Anu Vai. Nagarajan writes with his left hand after having been paralyzed for the last 15 years. He moves about in his wheel chair assisted by his dear wife who is a music teacher. He has a son who is married. The couple worshipped the elders on the stage and handed over a framed memento in poetry.

The 264 page book (+ 18 pages) published in 2004 titled "Karuththim Eluththum" was also given free to those present at the function. The book evidently shows the versatility of the Anu Vai Nagarajan in knowledge and the art of presentation. There are 31 excellent essays of researched information that would certainly be useful to all, especially students in higher forms.

The book is divided into 10 sections that underline the following themes: Spiritualism & religion, archaeology, humanism, history& culture, language, the arts, literature, memorable great personalities, interviews & reviews of performances, and finally literary criticism.

The wide range of subjects with which he was familiar alone proves to his indispensability.

Unfortunately there is no study of Stylistics of Lankan Thamil writers published by the academics or literary critics. If such studies could be entertained, the writing style of Anu Vai Nagarajan should take primacy.

The author in his Introduction says that he started writing from 1950. In his article written for the Virakesari in 1966 on the first inhabitants of Lanka he discusses the excavations undertaken in Pomparippu in the Mannar district in the north. There are two essays pertaining to Anuradhapura.

Emeritus Professor A. Shanmugadas has written the Preface to this book. We learn from others comments that he had edited a journal called Annai", and writes poetry, fiction and drama.

In one of his essays, the author reminds that some of the names of the Early Veddas in Lanka had Thamil names like Muthuvan, Kanthan, Nagamani, Velan, Sinnan, Rosapoo, Valli, and Theivayanai. They worshiped Skanda and Kannagi.

This book may b available in bookstalls that sell Thamil books.

Anuradhapura features in another literary event. It is about the publication of a literary journal in Thamil. The 22nd issue of:" Padikal", once in two months journal from Anuradhapura has reached me. This is also available in Colombo book depots. Edited by S. Wasim Akram with M. C. Najimuden assisting him, this literary journals is published from 519G/16, Jayanthi Mawatha, Anuradhapura.

Beruwela Rafeek Mohiden in his article says that it is necessary to simplify the Thamil language to meet the needs of contemporary Thamil-speaking society. The editor informs that the first volume Thamil poem by writers in the Anuradhapura district titled "Vealikalai Thaandum Vearkal" (Roots extending the Boundaries) is to be published soon. Nachchiya Theevu Parvin has written a fine poem called "Malai Koritha Boomi" (Soil that was Rained On).

Nuraicholai Sulfi from the South Eastern University reviews the poems of "Penniya", an Islamic woman poet from the East. Kekirawa Sahaana has translated two poems via English - that of Navoja Indian and Primitive African Poems rendered into English by Ulli Beier.

Theepa Chelvan compares two poems by two Lankan Thamil poets - Maathumai and Ranjani - both live abroad at present. There is also a poem by Earavoor Irzad Haffez, yet another good poem in the current issue.

M. C. Razmin, Sammanthurai S. Nuha and Saajid Salman from Kalutura have written their felt experiences in their poems.

A personalized-style of a short story by Naachiya Theevu Abu Nuha is also interesting. Feedback fro readers is also registered.

Mukkriyawa M. Razem continues in his series of articles on literary activities in the Anuradhapura district.

The current journal also features an interview with a bilingual senior journalist and critic on contemporary Lankan Thamil Literary Scene.

I am so happy that young Muslim writers who were hitherto unknown for main stream readers have come to light through "Padikal" The writers who speak Thamil and profess Islam are spread through out the country from Dickwella in the Deep South to Yaalpaanam in the North and from Puttalam in the North West to Nintavoor in Southwest and in the Hill country.

Their literary and cultural contributions in both Thamil and Sinhala and to a lesser extent in English need to be reckoned and appreciated.

Now that Lanka is one nation with different languages, it is high time the literary works are translated into each of the three languages.

The State has to give priority to this and get funds from UNESCO or other international organizations and employ competent personnel on a permanent basis to understand each other better and live harmoniously.

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