Speaking frankly on indigenous literature
K S Sivakumaran
First I want to talk a little about Lankan Tamil Literature as part
of the gamut of 'Sri Lankan Literature'. Then I shall introduce the
publication in Tamil by one of the left-wing literary organizations in
the country.
Why is Lankan Tamil Literature forgotten to be recorded?
 There are more than 10 literary magazines in Tamil in the country. As
expected they are not vastly circulated but avidly read by interested
readers a majority of them being the writers themselves. They differ in
standards and have their own writers and readers. But most writers write
to almost all of them except for a few who stick to their ideological
bias. Since the 1970s in particular most writers in Tamil are
conditioned by left thinking, although a few strike a balance in that
they invite experimental and other aspects of writing other than the
class, caste, ethnic issues. However there are no serious disparagements
among writers criticizing or condemning those who do not fall in their
line of thinking.
Digital technology
The layout, colour reproduction, printing quality and general
structure of these magazines have improved over the years with the
development of digital technology even though the general pattern of the
contents of all thee magazines are almost the same except for slight
variations in emphasis.
Occasionally there are serious and debatable articles and daring
fiction and appreciable poetry found in each of these journals. But
intellectually satisfying contributions appear seldom.
There are some exceptionally good creative writers who do not
regularly write to these journals. The paradox is that almost every week
there are more than two book launches are held in all parts of the
island where Tamils and Muslims live. Such books include fiction, short
fiction, and a vast number of volumes in the name of poetry. Drama and
Literary criticism are published in far and far between. It is
encouraging to see translations from Sinhala fiction and poetry are
being published these days. Most of such translators happen to be Tamil
speaking Muslims of the country.
State and Corporate sectors do not pay much attention to the
development of Lankan Tamil Literature. Nor are the English and Sinhala
media publicizes the writers and their works as they do it for Sinhala
and English writing.
English writers
There is a general assumption that Lankan literature is basically
Sinhala Literature and perhaps to satisfy writers in English 'a
reasonable recognition 'for Lankan Literature. Even the outside world is
interested to know more about Sinhala literature than about English or
Tamil Literature. Even if they are aware that there is a distinct Lankan
Tamil Literature they desire to have a few notes about Tamil literature
from writers in English who do not know anything about Lankan Tamil
Literature. Even when they speak about Lankan English literature they
know only a few names: Michael Ondaatje, Romesh Gunasekera and a few
expatriate writers.
Both within the country and outside people concerned are ignorant of
the fact that there is a vibrant Lankan Tamil Literature and think that
the local writers and readers depend on South Indian Tamil literature
for their satiation.
Last week there was a distinguished visitor from North India to give
a series of lectures talking about a Literary Festival in India and to
promote her novels. Meeting some of the Lankans, a majority of them
being women, and among them were a few writers in English and
translators, this colourful personality speaking fluently in English did
not show any interest in asking about Lankan Tamil Literature or the
writers here.
Puthu Vasantham
Let me now talk about a publication called Puthu Vasantham (New
Spring). It's published by Deshiya Kalai Ilakkiyap Peravai (National
Arts and Literature Forum) on the occasion of its annual conference held
on June 16, 2012. This organization is evidently a Marxist oriented one
doing some good work in organizing meaningful discussions and round
table meetings of similar minds etcetera. Basically run by youngsters
with a different kind of perspectives they are patronized by a few
academics and politically inclined members of one shade of Marxist
persuasions. Emeritus Professors S. Thillainathan, S.Sivasegeram and
attorney A. Thevarasa, S.K Senthilvelar, K.Thanikasalam are among them.
In this special number there are articles, poems and short fiction.
An explanatory note on the cover picture is given. It's all about the
environment and the need to protect it by our own efforts is what this
organization professes- it is stated.
It's a good thing to mention the names of some important writers who
are deceased and who helped build up the sot of left thinking in the
country that this organization desired.
Those mentioned names are: K. Kailasapathy, R.Murugaiyan, Maavai
Varothayan, K. A. Subramaniam, Sillayoor Selvarajan, Murugu Kantharasa,
Navindi Sivarasa, Selva Pathmanathan, K. Daniel, K.Sivagnanam,K.Sivarasa,
.M. Guharajah, S. Jeyakumar, S.Patkunam, S.Navaratnam, M. Chandrakumar,
K. Nagendram, Subathran, Subair Ilankeeran, K. Ganesh, J. Benedict
Baalan, R. Sivanandan, Charumathi and S.Yoganathan. The reading material
is heavy for less-informed readers, but they are of substance and value
to specialized readers interested in politics, ideology and the arts.
|
