03-26-2005, 08:49 PM
Newstodaynet.com
He is a Tamil writer, not a fanatic
Useless. That was how his mother had described him when he was 12. One cannot help but wonder how she would have felt had she lived to see her son bagging the country's most prestigious literary award the Jnanpith. That recognition for D Jayakanthan, only the second Tamil writer next to Akilan, to be chosen for the country's highest literary prize, might have taken time to come and he too might not read too much into it, but for the admirers of the pioneer in contemporary Tamil literature it has nevertheless given the satisfaction that they have been yearning for, for years.
So, how does the septuagenarian look at his travel through the literary realm? News Today sought to find out from the writer himself.
Q: How does Jayakanthan, the famous writer, look at his mother's description now? After all, she had called you 'useless' in her letter to your uncle, requesting him to groom you. Hadn't she?
A) Her remarks were borne out of fear. A mother has confidence in her children but at the same time is anxious. I was only 12 then. I understood her fears and made up my mind to dispel them.
Q) Your grandfather believed in Suyamariyathai Iyakkam (Periyar's Self-Respect Movement). One of your uncles was a hardcore Communist and another a typical Gandhian. You grew up amid those following such contrasting ideologies. Did you face any difficulty in choosing your path?
A) It is a typical Indian way to integrate different ideologies and find a common path, one without confrontation. I must thank my people for it.
Q) When you were 24, you confronted Periyar directly on his atheist preachings. Are you a theist?
A) I believe in people and people believe in God.
Q) Is there any link between Communism and atheist sentiments?
A) Communists deny the existence of God, but people in large believe in Him. For us, believing people is more important. So I think the Communists are wrong in a way.
Q) Your views on some magazines' charge that you nurture a lot of anti-Tamil sentiments... ?
A) I am not mad about Tamil. Neither am I a Tamil fanatic. But I have greater affinity to it than any of those who know the language. I am the authority of my language, not Ramadoss (PMK leader), let him mind this. Those friends (apparent reference to PMK men) greeted me. This is my expression of thanks. You see, civility is very important. Tamilians should know it. Ramadoss also seems to be under the grip of Tamil fanaticism. It will do him good to break out of it.
Q: Even Tamilians do not have fluency in the language. Under such circumstances, do you still think that teaching of the language should not be made compulsory here?.
A) Nothing should be imposed and cannot be. I firmly believe in it. Language does not get learnt through imposition. Minds should be open to receive it.
Q) You once said our country progressed due to Varnasrama Dharma. But it is blamed by many for the disparities in our society...
A) No one knows anything about Varnasrama Dharma. It does not exist now, but debates alone continue. There is no point in accusing our ancestors. Just address the problems that you perceive are a fallout of it.
Trying to go to the roots of it will only add to the problems. Leave it.
Q) Many rationalists feel disappointed over your support to Kanchi Sankaracharya?
A) They are not progressive thinkers. Those who abuse others cannot be progressive. The propaganda unleashed against the Seer was malicious. Some make a life out of doing such things and my duty is to say it is wrong. Those who level such charges do not want him to be a person of integrity even if he were. If he is proven innocent, they will next target Adi Sankara, and later Lord Shiva as a scoundrel. I do not want to argue with them. We have to have be discerning and see through what ever gets said. Epporul yar yar vai ketpinum ap porul mei porul kanum Arivu Vendum.
Q: In the midst of the craze for cinema and teleserials, where do short stories and novels stand?
A) Writing should not be undertaken for 'reception'. Good work will be received well. What can be sold in large sacks is only salt but not diamonds.
Q) To what extent has Subramanya Bharathi influenced you?
A) I am Bharathi. Think that Bharathi has born again as Jayakanthan. (Just an Imagination. Isn't it nice, he laughs). I dedicate the laurels I have achieved so far to Bharathi. Just as Muslims dedicate everything to God, all Tamil writers should dedicate their literary fame to Bharathi.
N RATHI CHITHRA
He is a Tamil writer, not a fanatic
Useless. That was how his mother had described him when he was 12. One cannot help but wonder how she would have felt had she lived to see her son bagging the country's most prestigious literary award the Jnanpith. That recognition for D Jayakanthan, only the second Tamil writer next to Akilan, to be chosen for the country's highest literary prize, might have taken time to come and he too might not read too much into it, but for the admirers of the pioneer in contemporary Tamil literature it has nevertheless given the satisfaction that they have been yearning for, for years.
So, how does the septuagenarian look at his travel through the literary realm? News Today sought to find out from the writer himself.
Q: How does Jayakanthan, the famous writer, look at his mother's description now? After all, she had called you 'useless' in her letter to your uncle, requesting him to groom you. Hadn't she?
A) Her remarks were borne out of fear. A mother has confidence in her children but at the same time is anxious. I was only 12 then. I understood her fears and made up my mind to dispel them.
Q) Your grandfather believed in Suyamariyathai Iyakkam (Periyar's Self-Respect Movement). One of your uncles was a hardcore Communist and another a typical Gandhian. You grew up amid those following such contrasting ideologies. Did you face any difficulty in choosing your path?
A) It is a typical Indian way to integrate different ideologies and find a common path, one without confrontation. I must thank my people for it.
Q) When you were 24, you confronted Periyar directly on his atheist preachings. Are you a theist?
A) I believe in people and people believe in God.
Q) Is there any link between Communism and atheist sentiments?
A) Communists deny the existence of God, but people in large believe in Him. For us, believing people is more important. So I think the Communists are wrong in a way.
Q) Your views on some magazines' charge that you nurture a lot of anti-Tamil sentiments... ?
A) I am not mad about Tamil. Neither am I a Tamil fanatic. But I have greater affinity to it than any of those who know the language. I am the authority of my language, not Ramadoss (PMK leader), let him mind this. Those friends (apparent reference to PMK men) greeted me. This is my expression of thanks. You see, civility is very important. Tamilians should know it. Ramadoss also seems to be under the grip of Tamil fanaticism. It will do him good to break out of it.
Q: Even Tamilians do not have fluency in the language. Under such circumstances, do you still think that teaching of the language should not be made compulsory here?.
A) Nothing should be imposed and cannot be. I firmly believe in it. Language does not get learnt through imposition. Minds should be open to receive it.
Q) You once said our country progressed due to Varnasrama Dharma. But it is blamed by many for the disparities in our society...
A) No one knows anything about Varnasrama Dharma. It does not exist now, but debates alone continue. There is no point in accusing our ancestors. Just address the problems that you perceive are a fallout of it.
Trying to go to the roots of it will only add to the problems. Leave it.
Q) Many rationalists feel disappointed over your support to Kanchi Sankaracharya?
A) They are not progressive thinkers. Those who abuse others cannot be progressive. The propaganda unleashed against the Seer was malicious. Some make a life out of doing such things and my duty is to say it is wrong. Those who level such charges do not want him to be a person of integrity even if he were. If he is proven innocent, they will next target Adi Sankara, and later Lord Shiva as a scoundrel. I do not want to argue with them. We have to have be discerning and see through what ever gets said. Epporul yar yar vai ketpinum ap porul mei porul kanum Arivu Vendum.
Q: In the midst of the craze for cinema and teleserials, where do short stories and novels stand?
A) Writing should not be undertaken for 'reception'. Good work will be received well. What can be sold in large sacks is only salt but not diamonds.
Q) To what extent has Subramanya Bharathi influenced you?
A) I am Bharathi. Think that Bharathi has born again as Jayakanthan. (Just an Imagination. Isn't it nice, he laughs). I dedicate the laurels I have achieved so far to Bharathi. Just as Muslims dedicate everything to God, all Tamil writers should dedicate their literary fame to Bharathi.
N RATHI CHITHRA