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by K.S.Sivakumaran
A few publications in Thamil may be of interest to some of our readers. Here
are some brief notes on them:
Sinhala Proverbs in Thamil
Karunasena Jayalth's novels in Sinhala which include "Golu Hadawatha" (Nenjil
Ore Rahasyam) and "Bamba Ketu Heti" (Iraivan Vahutha Vali) and also K.
Jayathilaka's "Charitha Thunak" (Moontru Paathirangal) are now available in
Thamil translation. It is ironical that`A0 while Thamilians themselves translate
Sinhala works`A0 into Thamil and write about Sinhala writers and artistes in
Thamil literary journals, the Sinhalas do not seem to care about their
brethren's literary and artistic efforts. It's a sad commentary because the
accent seems to be only on Sinhala Nationalism.
Be that as it may, you would like to know who has translated these creative
works into Thamil. He is Thambiaiya Thevathas, a graduate teacher with an
M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication. Not only is he interested in
Sinhala creative writing but also in creative writing but also in Sinhala cinema.
His book in Thamil "Pon Vila Kanda Sinhala Cinema" (The Golden Age of the
Sinhala Cinema) was awarded with a prize at the Northeast Province Literary
Awards. And this book has been translated into Sinhala, I understand. His
other books in Thamil are "Ilankai Thitai Ulaga Munnodigal" (The Pioneers of
Lankan Cinema), "Ilankai Thamil Cinemavin Kathai" (The Story of Lankan
Thamil Cinema) and critical notes on selected short stories and the novel
"Nagammal" meant for GCE Advanced level Students offering Thamil Literature
as a subject.
Thambiaiyah Thevathas is a hardworking and unassertive writer in Thamil.
Born in Pungudutivu in the north had been living in Colombo for a long time. He
works as a relief presenter in Thamil for both the SLBC and the Rupavahini in
Thamil. He is also a visiting lecturer in Journalism in the University of Colombo.
His latest book is "Sinhala Palamoligal" (Sinhala Proverbs). To obtain this book
call him on 2448743. There are 815 Sinhala proverbs given in Thamil. For
example: "Habarana Kilangai Chappittathu Poal" (Like eating the yam from
Habarana) which the translator interpretes as introducing an argumentative
and talkative person. I do not know how far this is acceptable. Perhaps Mr
S.Pathiravitana could enlighten me on this. I found this effort interesting and
useful. I noticed that there are several proverbs in Sinhala are akin to proverbs
in Thamil in terms of meaning.
Writing a foreword for this book, Dr. S.Yogarasa, head of the Languages
department at the eastern university says: "Many do not know that even
translations are also a form of literature and the proverbs come under folk
literature."
Life as in Thirukural
This book has 50 essays written in lucid Thamil elucidating the quintessence of
a few couplets in the famous Post-Sangam (between 4th and 7th century A.D.)
ethical work "Thirukural" (also available in Sinhala translation) by Thiruvalluvar,
a Thamilian poet professing Jainism.
The author is a respected retired teacher from St.Benedict's College, Colombo.
He had served there for 34 years. He is one of the traditionalists but well
informed in contemporary writing in Thamil and a perceptive critic. He had been
a presenter of children's and youth programmes over the Thamil Service`A0 of
the SLBC for more than 20 years. Some of the forefront broadcasters today
had had their training in the field in his programmes. He is one of the important
writers for children. His books of poems for young people include "Chandiyan
Oanai" (The Ruffian Wolf), "Sandana Kinnam" (The Cup of Sandalwood), and
"Puthiya Pookkal (New Flowers). For these he has won literary awards. His new
book "Kural Vali Vaalvu"(Life according to the Kural) elucidates the thoughts of
Thiruvalluvar (his work "Thiruk Kural" is dated 2005 years ago) in terms of
practical life as experienced by the author.
T.Visvalingam writing from Canada as the editor of "Anbu Neri" published by
the Canada Saiva Siddhanta Mantram writes that this book is an ideal work
useful for everybody, particularly students. Prof.A.Shanmugadas of the
University of Yaalpaanam points out the titles of each of the essays rightly
suggests the theme of the selected 50 couplets. He also refers to the
conversational and dramatic presentation in the author's prose.
The appreciable feature in this collection is that the thoughts of Thiruvalluvar
are related to contemporary living. I enjoyed all the essays and benefited.
The book is available from the author at 40, Lily Avenue, Colombo 06.
'Katpaham' Stories
'Katpaham' was a little magazine in Thamil published in Colombo. A
'progressive' journal of the 1970s, this publication saw only three issues. Its
editor was Sivasubramaniam, who hailed from Yaalpaanam but married in
Thirukoanamalai. His daughter Maathumai has also published her own
collection of short stories recently.
This book is published by Manimekalai Pirasuram in Chennai. Ravi
Thamilvaanan, the publisher has been publishing Lankan Thamil writers these
days. Although this is a belated undertaking by the Thamilnadu publishers, it is
welcome though because Lankan writers in Thamil could now have an
opportunity to reach Thamilndu readers. He also undertakes the task of getting
our books distributed in Europe, Canada and Australia.
The book has 12 stories, one of which is by an Indian writer. The compiler,
Sivasubramaniam has selected these stories on the basis of writers belonging
to the left-wing stance. I am not sure whether all the 1 writers subscribe to such
stances. The writers featured in this collection are; S.Ganeshalingan ( who
reviews books for "The Hindu" of Chennai), the late K.Peran ( he and`A0 all
members of his family succumbed to death by indiscriminate shelling in the
north some years back), Neervai Ponnian( a fine writer who now works for
"Vibhavi"), Kuppilan Shanmugan ( an aesthete),the late K.Daniel( a pioneer of
Dalit" literature locally), Porvaiyoor Jiffrey, the late S.Kathirgamanathan(of the
then SLAS), S.Rajam Pushpvanam(She is in Canada now) S.Kanthasamy(
formerly of the education administration service),S.Yoganathan( formerly of the
SLAS), Thambu Siva (the editor of 'Katpaham') and the Thamilnadu writer, the
late Prakash.
In the Preface to the book, the compiler divides Lankan Thamil Writing under
the periods of the existence of "Eelakesari' (now defunct),"Maru Malarchi (now
defunct) Progressive writing and Wartime Writing. The foreword is written by
former "The Island" courts journalist, V. Varathsundaram. His own books in
Thamil are also noteworthy publications.
The book has brief notes on the writers featured and also forgotten facts of the
period 30 years ago. This publication is available from the compiler at 15,
Vidyalayam Lane, Thirukoanamalai.
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