Monthly journal on arts and literature in Tamil
 As
far as we know the monthly Jeeva Nathi (Stream of Life) is the only
journal in Tamil to come regularly from Yaalpaanam (Jaffna). With the
current issue 22 numbers have been published. Edited by a young
undergraduate from the University of Jaffna, K. Bharanitharan, this
journal publishes both quality creative and critical witting. The
publishers have ventured into publishing four books so far: two
collections of short stories and two volumes of poetry.
Better criticism
We liked the critical pieces better than the other features for their
seriousness. In a signed article, the editor lists nine weaknesses in
contemporary Tamil writing in Lanka. What he says is true in most cases,
but it is worth noticing them. Non-Tamil readers who would like to know
the latest trends could also be aware of these even though they may not
be able to read and understand the language. Some Tamil writers in Lanka
have the following failings, says Bharanitharan:
1. Writing to see their names in print
2. Explicit portrayal of sex blatantly for public to read
3. Describing the bodies of women and their parts of body in an
obscene manner to excite the readers
At this point I must say that I am yet to read such type of writing
by writers in Tamil in Lanka, but I must quickly add that the former
Lankans now living abroad had in fact produced obscene writing in the
name of post-modern literature.
4. Giving vent to their personal prejudices and anger against others.
5. Writing whatever without understanding what they write.
6. In the guise of writing in a new form, change the structure of
their works indiscriminately.
7. Character assassinating pioneer writers.
8. Defaming those whom they don't like.
9. Writing in a confused manner thus dismantling knowledge.
The writer expands his findings in an abbreviated explanation.
More important essays
Another article with a tagline 'Caste Psychology' discusses the
'Psycho-Social Impacts of Caste-Related Beliefs'. This is by Rev Fr
Rasendiram Stalin. Although the article is written in relatively long
sentences, one could read it patiently to understand what the writer
says. He devises his essay under the following heads; 'Negative
Impacts', 'Cognitive Factors', 'Belief System', 'Self-Concept', 'Self-
Esteem', 'Cognitive Distortion', 'Stereotyping', 'Selectivity in
Religious Beliefs', 'Affectivity', 'Anger Expressions', 'Depression',
'Vulnerability', 'Guilt Feeling', 'Interpersonal Relationship', 'Human
Qualities' and so on. Evidently it is an academic essay on a new subject
in Tamil writing in Lanka
Writer and critic S. Muruganantahm remembers the writing of the late
S. Kathigamanathan, a promising writer in the 1960s and 70s. Writer
Yogeswari Sivapragasam introduces briefly some latest publications by
Lankan writers.
Writer, critic and editor of a Colombo based literary journal called
Gnanam continues his seventh installment on what he has achieved as a
literary figure. Yugayini writes about the future of womankind. There
are also short stories and poems and serialized fiction. The magazine is
priced at 60/- and is available in Colombo bookstalls and elsewhere that
sell books and magazine in Tamil.
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