Aadhavan

Aadhavan

Aadhavan (1942-1987). He was a Tamil writer who started writing after the 1960’s, he wrote about the nuances of a city life. A prominent writer of the Indian metropolitan life and the people living there, who masked their consciences. He won a Sahitya Akademi Award for his collection of short stories ‘Mudalil iravu varum’.

Personal Life

He was born as K. S. Sundaram on 21-3-1942 in Kallidaikurchi, Tirunelveli. He studied in Delhi and worked for the Indian Railways for 7 years. He also worked at the National Book Trust as a sub-editor in the Tamil wing in Delhi from 1975, and later worked in Bangalore in 1984. He married his wife Hema in 1976, she started working at the National Book Trust after Adhavan’s demise. Children- Charumathy and Neeraja.

Death

He died in an accident at the age of 45 in the Tungabhadra river in Sringeri on 24.7.1987.

Literary Life

Aadhavan started a hand-written magazine named ‘Anukundu’ with his friend in the 7th grade to alleviate the loneliness, and of not being able to express his individuality in sports or education.

His collection of short stories Singaraja Kumari and Kanakathin Naduve are a contribution to children's literature. He was introduced as a writer during his college days in 1962. The stories written on Ananda Vikatan were published as trademark stories. Following that, his stories were published in Deepam magazine under the editorship of Na. Parthasarathy. His first novel Kakita malarkal was a continuation of his stories from Deepam magazine. Indira Parthasarathy and Ashokamithran were his favourite senior writers.

Literary Aesthetics

His writings on the Indian metropolitan city life accurately portray the absurdities of aristocracy, he analysed human emotions and self-decpetions with a psychological approach. Kagitha Malargal and En Peyar Ramaseshan were stories set in Delhi that talked about the inner-conflicts of middle-class youths who couldn't completely fit themselves into the modern world or the age-old traditions. ‘Oru Pazhaiya Kizhavarum, Puthiya Ulagamum’, ‘Mudalil iravu varum’, ‘Sivapaai, Uyaramaai, Meesai Vechikamal’, ‘Lady’ are short stories primarily recommended by critics.

Writer Ashokamitiran said, “It was 1967 when I read his two short stories named ‘Interview’ and ‘Upper Birth’. I was awestruck by his accurate and honest portrayal of the minds of educated youth in modern India. It has been 20 years since, and he has never once failed to impress me as a person and a writer.”

Awards

He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award posthumously for his collection of short stories titled ‘Mudalil iravu varum’.

Works

Short stories collection

• Kanavukumikal [1975]
• Kaal Vali [1975]
• Oru Araiyil Irandu Narkaligal [1980]
• Pudhumaipidhanin Throgam [1981]
• Mudalil iravu varum [1985]

Aadhavan sirukadhaigal- Complete collection

Plays

• Puzuthiyal Veenai

Novellas

• Iravukku mun varuvadhu maalai
• Siragugal
• Meetchiyai thedi
• Ganapathi oru keezhmattathu oozhiyan
• Nadhiyum Malayum
• Penn, thozhi, thalaivi

Novels

• Kagitha Malargal [1977]
• En Peyar Ramaseshan [1980]

Translations

En Peyar Ramaseshan- Russian language- Vitaliy Furnika

Links

Navina Tamizhilakiya Arimugam- Jeyamohan

http://santhoshguru.blogspot.com/2005/09/blog-post.html

http://santhoshguru.blogspot.com/2005/09/blog-post_19.html

http://santhoshguru.blogspot.com/2005/09/blog-post_112714420206142566.html