Hephzibah Jesudasan

இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: ஹெப்சிபா ஜேசுதாசன் ‎

Hepzhibah Jesudasan (1925 - February 2012) was the author of Puthamveedu, a remarkable realistic novel in Tamil. She wrote and published history of Tamil literature in English. She was an English professor married to professor Jesudasan.

Birth and Education

Hepzhibah Jesudasan was born in 1925 in Burma. Her native was Pulipunam in Kanyakumari district. Her family had educational background. Her grandfather had a B.A degree and worked as head master in L.M.S boys higher secondary school in Marthandam. He resigned the job and became a pastor. Her maternal grandmother was a teacher in L.M.S girls primary school who was also a pastor. Hephzibah's father worked as teacher in a government school in northern Burma. She had a sister.

During World War II, her family left Burma and settled in Nagercoil. She studied at Duthie higher secodndary school, Nagercoil. She was a favorite student of Madam Duthie, who wanted Hephzibah to become an English writer. She passed out as state first when she studied intermediate at Scott Christian college Nagercoil.She completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degree in English at University of Thiruvanathapuram

Perosnal Life

Hebzhibah married Jesudasan a Tamil professor. Though Jesudasan had expertize and interest in Tamil literature, he intended to showcase his wifes talents. He encouraged her to write a novel. Hephzibah and Jesudasan had two sons, Nambi and Thambi Thangakumar and a daughter Puvi. Thambi Thangakumar worked as college professor.

Hephzibah worked as an English professor in Womens college in Thiruvananthapuram. She taught English to the royal family of Thiruvananthapuram. Hephzibah was a devout Christian, and she spent most of her final years in religious service.

Literary Life

Hephzibah's first novel was Puthamveedu (1964). Her husband Jesudasan encouraged her to write it. The novel was about a love story of a young girl Lissy who belongs to Nadar caste. It was published by Tamil Puthagalayam run by Gana.Muthiah. She also authored the novels MaaNee, Anaadhai and Doctor Chellapa. She wrote spiritual notes in English titled Grandmas Notebook. MaaNee was a novel about her childhood in Burma.

She wrote a four part series about Tamil literature (Sanga ilakiyam, Bakthi ilakiyam, Kamban, Kambanuku pin).In English she wrote about the same titled as "Countdown from Solomon: The Tamils down the ages through their literature". This was written with the help of her husband Jesudasan. This history was written based on taste and moral values. She translated Nedunalvaadai in English. She also translated Bharthiyar's Kuyil Paatu.

Literature Aesthetics

Puthamveedu written by Hephzibah Jesudasan is one of the important novels in Tamil. Its a love story of Lissy, a naive girl born in Nadar caste and how she succeeded despite opposition. The simplicity and authenticity of the story makes it an important novel. At that time love stories were based on Brahmin caste. This novel has precise narration of how education and modernization effects a young girl from Panaiyerum Nadar caste in a village. This novel became an exemplary at the time when novels written in local dialects were rejected.

Critic Sundara Ramaswamy reviewed this as one of the best novels written in Tamil based on real life. Critic Jeyamohan's review: The novel narrated a village love story in simple language proves the ability of the literature to see oneself unlike the commercial hypocrisy in Tamil. Crisp narration with no exaggerations dislplays not only the personality of Lissy, but also the wish to take care of the family in village social life. Critic Jeyamohan included this in 100 best novels list before 2000. Critic S.Ramakrishnan included this in 100 best novels list. The novel Doctor Chellappa by Hephzibah narrates life of a educated young man under normal circumstances, raises existential questions. Its considered as first existential novel in Tamil.

History of Tamil literature written by Hephzibah with the help of her husband Jesudasan, provides a critical overview of the Tamil literature.

Awards

• Vilakku award (2002)

Publications

Novels

• Puthamveedu (1964)
• Doctor Chellappa (1967)
• Anaadhai (1978)
• Maanee (1982)

English

• Countdown from Solomon: The Tamils down the ages through their literature
  • Vol. 1 Caṅkam and the aftermath (1999)
  • Vol. 2 Bhakti, ethics and epics (1999)
  • Vol. 3 Kampan, 2001
  • Vol. 4 13th - 20th century A.D.

• An early Sheaf (poems)
• Sky Lights (poems)
• en-Exercises (essays)

Kids Books

• Titbits for Tiny Tots
• Story Time Darlings

Translations

• Songs of The Cuckoo and Other Poems (Bharathiyars kuyil paatu)

Translated Books

• Puthamveedu translated in Malayalam
• Puthamveedu translated in English - "Lissy’s Legacy"

References

• Hephzibah Jesudasan interview
• Vedhasagayakumar remebers
• Vilakku award ceremony for Hephzibah Jesudasan
• A.Ramasamy on Hephzibah Jesudasan novels
• Hepzhibah's novels: TheHindu

Links

• A critics recommendation on Tamil novels | WriterJeyamohan (jeyamohan.in)

• 100 Best novels | S.Ramakrishnan (sramakrishnan.com)

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