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[[File: Kalki1.jpg | thumb | கல்கி]]
Kalki (Ra. Krishnamurthy) (September 9, 1899 - December 5, 1954) was an author who wrote some of the most popular fantasy stories in Tamil for the public. Kalki was a creator who emerged from the Indian National Movement as a Freedom Fighter. He was also the pioneer of the Tamil music movement and Tamil journalism. He was instrumental in the creation of Tamil prose. Historical fantasy novels such as [[Ponnin Selvan]], [[Sivagamiyin Sabatham]] written by Kalki are considered to be the greatest classics in the Tamil literature. Kalki was the founder of  [[Kalki (Weekly Magazine) | Kalki]] . He is known as the founder of fun centric reading and writing in Tamil.


== Biography ==
{{Read Tamil|கல்கி_(எழுத்தாளர்)|கல்கி (எழுத்தாளர்)|Name of target page=கல்கி_(எழுத்தாளர்)|Title of target page=கல்கி (எழுத்தாளர்)}}
=== Birth, Education ===
[[File: Kalki1.jpg | thumb | Kalki]]
Kalki was born on September 9, 1899 in Puthamangalam near Mayiladuthurai in the old Thanjavur district. His father was Ramasamy Iyer and his mother was Thayyal Nayagi. After completing his primary schooling in his village, he attended Mayuram Municipal High School. He then joined Trichy National High School. He did not complete his schooling as he joined the national movement at an early age and joined the freedom struggle.
Kalki (Ra. Krishnamurthy) (September 9, 1899 - December 5, 1954) was an author who wrote some of the most popular historical romances in Tamil. He emerged as a writer from the Indian freedom struggle movement. He was also the pioneer of the ''Tamilisai Iyakkam,'' a movement that advocated for greater representation of Tamil songs in Carnatic concerts, and Tamil journalism. He made significant contributions in the evolution of modern Tamil prose. Historical romance novels such as ''[[Ponniyin Selvan (novel)|Ponniyin Selvan]], Sivagamiyin Sabatham'' written by Kalki are some of the most beloved classics of popular Tamil fiction. Kalki was the founder of [[Kalki (Weekly Magazine) |''Kalki'']] magazine.
==Biography==
===Birth, Education===
Kalki was born on September 9, 1899 in Puthamangalam near Mayiladuthurai in the old Thanjavur district. His father was Ramasamy Iyer and his mother was Thayyal Nayagi. After receiving primary education in his village, he attended Mayuram Municipal High School. He then joined Trichy National High School. He did not complete his schooling as he joined the national movement at an early age and took part in the freedom struggle.
===Private life===
[[File:Kalki2 (1).jpg|thumb|Young Kalki ]]
Kalki married Rukmini in 1924. He had a son (Rajendran) and a daughter (Anandi). He worked as a journalist for [[Thiru.V. Kalyanasundaram|Thiru.V. Kalyanasundaram]] 's Navasakthi magazine and later for [[Ananda Vikatan |''Ananda Vikatan'']]''.'' He successfully started a magazine under his own name – Kalki
==Political career==
Kalki had a long political career. When Gandhi started the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921, he was inspired by his ideas and joined the Indian National Congress. He took part in the freedom struggle in 1922 and was sentenced to one year of imprisonment. After being released, he joined the Tamil Nadu Congress Party headquartered at Trichy. He worked in the Khadar office in Erode for some time. In 1923 he worked as a co-editor of the magazine ''Navasakth''i run by [[Thiru.V. Kalyanasundaram]]. In Tiruchengode [[Rajagopalachari | Rajaji]] inaugurated the Gandhi Ashram on February 6, 1925 and launched the magazine ''Vimochanam''. Kalki went to Tiruchengode and stayed with Rajaji where he then lead the ''Vimochanam'' magazine. Kalki considered Rajaji his political mentor. He followed Rajaji’s political views and remained with him till his death. He was known as "Rajaji's sword". In 1930, he participated the Salt Satyagraha led by Rajaji and was arrested at Gobichettipalayam for violating the Salt Act of 1882. He was imprisoned for six months. When Gandhi declared the Quit India movement in 1940, he resigned his job as editor of ''Ananda Vikatan'' magazine and joined the struggle. He was sentenced to three months of rigorous imprisonment.
==Journalism==
[[File: Kalki3.jpg | thumb]]
Kalki was a relentless journalist since 1923. He worked as the co-editor of Thiru.V. Kalyanasundaram's ''Navasakthi'' magazine. In 1931 he became the co editor of the [[Ananda Vikatan|''Ananda Vikatan'']] magazine started by [[S.S. Vasan]]. Kalki made ''Ananda Vikatan'' a successful public magazine. ''Ananda Vikatan'' magazine made popular/pulp reading a campaign in Tamil culture and a successful business. Kalki developed a simple style of humor and satire suitable for the general readers. He created a lineage of writers like [[Devan]], [[Thumilan]] etc. who followed his style of writing. He pioneered journalistic writing in many areas, including film criticism and political writing.


=== Private life ===
Kalki started the magazine ''Kalki'' in 1941 with the help of his friend [[Kalki Sadasivam|Sadasivam]]. It is said that the reason behind this was that ''Ananda Vikatans S.S. Vasan condemned Kalki’s involvement in the [[Quit India Movement]]. Rajaji blessed Kalki for his venture into the creation of ''Kalki'' magazine. The serialized historical romances he wrote in ''Kalki'' magazine which started with the novel,[[Parthiban Kanavu | ''Parthiban Kanavu'']]'','' sealed its success. This was then followed by the widely popular novels [[Sivagamiyin Sabatham|''Sivagamiyin Sabatham'']] and ''[[Ponniyin Selvan]].''
[[File: Kalki2 (1) .jpg | thumb | கல்கி இளமையில்]]  
Kalki married Rukmini in 1924. He had a son (Rajendran) and a daughter  (Anandi). Kalki was involved in the freedom struggle. He worked as a journalist for [[Thiru.V. Kalyanasundaram|Thiru.V. Kalyanasundaram ]]'s Navasakthi magazine and later for [[Ananda Vikatan | Ananda Vikatan]]. He successfully started a magazine under his own name – Kalki


== Political career ==  
Kalki allowed a string of writers like [[Mayavi]] and [[P.M. Kannan]], who had a different style of writing from his own, use the ''Kalki'' magazine as a platform. Writers like [[Na. Parthasarathy]] (Manivannan) who followed in Kalki's footsteps were inspired by the writing styles of [[V.S. Khandekar]] and [[Mu.Varadarajan|Mu. Varadarajan]]. Thus Kalki was one of the foremost pioneers of Tamil journalism and popular Tamil fiction.
==Literary life==
[[File:Kalki2.jpg|thumb|Kalki Krishnamurthy, Rajaji, Kalki Sadasivam]]
Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography was serialized in ''Navjivan'' from 1925 to 1929. Kalki simultaneously published an abridged Tamil translation of this work in ''Navasakthi''. He also wrote short stories for Navasakthi in the same period. When the magazine ''Ananda Vikatan'' was launched, a friend of [[Subramania Bharathi]], Parali S. Nellaiyappar, introduced Kalki to S.S. Vasan in February, 1928. Kalki wrote a humorous article titled ''Ettikku Potti'' in ''Ananda Vikatan''. This was the first article written by Krishnamurthy under the pseudonym Kalki. A subsequent collection of essays entitled ''Ettikku Potti'' was published in 1927 with an introduction by Rajagopalachari.


Kalki had a long political career. When Gandhi started the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921, he was inspired by his ideas and joined the Indian National Congress. He took part in the freedom struggle in 1922 and was sentenced to one year of imprisonment. After he was released, he joined the Tamil Nadu Congress Party headquartered at Trichy. He worked in the Khadar office in Erode for some time. In 1923 he worked as an co-editor of the magazine Navasakthi run by [[Thiru.V. Kalyanasundaram]]. In Tiruchengode [[Rajagopalachari | Rajaji]] inaugurated the Gandhi Ashram on February 6, 1925 and started the magazine ‘Vimochanam’. Kalki went to Tiruchengode and stayed with Rajaji where he then lead Vimochanam magazine. Kalki accepted Rajaji as his political guide. He followed Rajaji’s  political views and stayed with him till his death. He was known as Rajaji's Sword. In 1930, he participated the Salt Satyagraha led by Rajaji and was imprisoned at Gobichettipalayam for violating the Salt Act of 1882. He was imprisoned for six months. When Gandhi declared the Quit India movement in 1940, he resigned his job as editor in Ananda Vikatan magazine and joined the struggle. He was sentenced to three months of rigorous imprisonment.
At the age of 23, Kalki wrote the novel ''Vimala'' while in prison for being involved in the Non-Cooperation Movement. It was autobiographical in nature, about a young man imprisoned for his involvement in the Non-Cooperation Movement. This novel was serialized in V. Ramasamy Iyangar's (Va. Ra) magazine ''Suthanthiram'' in 1923. Kalki wrote it under the name Ra. Krishnamurthy.


== Journalism ==
In 1937 he published his first series ''Kalvanin Kadhali'' in ''Ananda Vikatan'' under his pen name Kalki. Following ''Kalvanin Kadhali,'' he published ''Thyaga Bhoomi'' in ''Ananda Vikatan,'' which was made into a motion picture. After he started his magazine Kalki, he began writing grand historical romances starting with ''Parthiban Kanavu''. His most famous novels among them were ''Sivagamiyin Sapatham'' and ''Ponniyin Selvan.'' Ponniyin Selvan (1952) was considered to be the foremost popular literary work in Tamil.
[[File: Kalki3.jpg | thumb]]
==Tamil Music Movement==
Kalki was a relentless journalist since 1923. He worked as the co editor of Thiru.V. Kalyanasundaram's Navasakthi magazine. In 1931 he became the co editor of the [[Ananda Vikatan]] magazine started by [[S.S. Vasan]]. Kalki made Ananda Vikatan a successful public magazine. Ananda Vikatan magazine made pleasure reading as a campaign in Tamil culture and as a successful  business. Kalki developed a simple style of humor and satire suitable for the general readers. He made a lineage of writers like [[Devan]], [[Thumilan]], who followed his style of writing. He started journalistic writing in many fields, including film criticism and political criticism.
[[File: 25a.jpg | thumb | https: //www.kalkibiography.com/]]
Kalki was one of the pioneers of the ''Tamilisai Iyakkam'' (Tamil music movement), which was started with the demand that Carnatic music concerts should give a prominent place to Tamil compositions. He wrote numerous articles in support of the Tamil music movement. Kalki wrote the lyrics to the film composition "''kaatrinile varum geetham''", which was a noteworthy ''Tamilisai'' song. In 1941 he attended the first Tamil Music Conference organized by Raja Annamalai Chettiar in Chennai. His articles in support of the Tamil Music Movement have been compiled into a book titled ''Sangeethayogam''.
==Cultural Activities==
*Kalki attended the Tamil Music Conference held at Ettayapuram in 1945 . During the ceremony, a request was made of him to build a memorial hall for Subramaniya Bharathi at Ettayapuram. Kalki put forth the same request to the reading public through his magazine. The hall was inaugurated by C. Rajagopalachari on October 13, 1947.
*Kalki raised funds for Bharathi's wife Chellamma Bharathi in 1945 and created a deposit fund.
*In 1948, writer Pudhumaipithan, who was a fierce critic of Kalki, passed away. Kalki then raised funds to help Pudhumaipithan's wife Kamala and her daughter out of poverty. A significant amount was donated to her.
==Literary Significance==
[[File:Ajantha.jpg|thumb|Kalki with Ellis R. Duncan at Ajanta Caves ]]
Kalki's primary literary contribution was his contribution to the development of Tamil prose. He expanded all the possibilities of Tamil prose by writing a series of entertaining novels, magazine articles, short stories, travelogues, music criticism, film criticism, political criticism, satire and biographies. In this regard, he was a pioneer. Three generations of writers have followed him since.  


Kalki started the magazine Kalki in 1941 with the help of his friend Sathasivam, the reason being  that S.S. Vasan denounced Kalki’s involvement in the [[Quit India Movement]] and actions against the government. Rajaji's blessed Kalki for his venture into Kalki magazine. It became a very successful magazine due to the historical adventure series he wrote in the Kalki magazine, [[Parthiban Kanavu | Parthiban Kanavu]]. Kalki then published a series of famous novels, [[Sivagamiyin Sabatham]] and [[Ponniyin Selvan]].  
Early novels of Kalki such as ''Thyaga Bhoomi'' are similar to those of George W.M. Reynolds, thrilling and sentimental. Kalki's storytelling was influenced by pioneers such as [[Vaduvoor Duraisamy Iyengar]]. He later wrote historical novels. Kalki cites writers such as Sir Walter Scott and Alexander Dumas as his inspirations. Critics considered novels such as ''Parthiban Kanavu'', ''Sivagamiyin Sabatham'', and ''Ponniyin Selvan'' to be historical romances.  


Kalki introduced many writers with new style of writing which differed his style. [[Mayavi]], [[P.M. Kannan]] were a few to be noted.[[Na. Parthasarathy]] (Manivannan) was also the descendent of Kalki who followed the writing style of [[V.S. Khandekar]] and [[M.Varadarasan]]. Kalki was a pioneer in Tamil journalism and Tamil fiction.  
But unlike his predecessors, Kalki's works, although wildly popular, contained elements of the Indian national uprising, Tamil cultural renaissance and social reforms of his period. His historical novels depicted the historical golden age of the Tamils. His novels were based on the researches of historians like [[K.A. Neelakanda Sastri]] and they took the history of the Cholas and Pallavas to the lay public. They reinforced the Tamil national pride that was already emerging during his period. Kalki's novels depict the cultural evolution of Tamil Nadu. ''Sivagamiyin Sabatham'' echoes the tone and sentiments of Ramayana while ''Ponniyin Selvan'' has the tone of Mahabharata. Ponniyin Selvan was influenced by novels such as Alexander Dumas' 'The Three Musketeers’ and 'The Man in the Iron Mask’. In his book 'Naveena Thamizhilakiya Arimugam’ (Introduction to modern Tamil literature), writer Jayamohan notes that Kalki "combined the spirit of the Indian epic tradition with the descriptive narration of Western adventure novels to create his fiction".
==Controversies==
*In 1936, Kalki made a controversial statement that [[Subramania Bharathiar|Subramania Bharathi]] was not one of the ''Mahakavis'' (great poets) of India, an opinion that was opposed by writers like Ku.Pa. Rajagopalan. This was known as the 'Bharathi-Mahakavi controversy'. The writers wrote a series of articles back and forth on this topic in 1936, which were later compiled and published by Rajagopalan under the title ''Kannan En Kavi'' (Kannan, my poet).
*In 1937, Pudhumaipithan accused Kalki of plagiarising from the novels of Alexander Dumas and Walter Scott. Kalki denied the accusation. This was a controversy, on which many authors and critics weighed in with their opinions.
*When Gandhi announced his Temple Entry Movement in 1939, the head of the Kanchi mutt, Chandrasekara Saraswati opposed it. Kalki vehemently objected saying, "You are the leader of a caste, not a ''jagatguru'' (Teacher of the World)." This statement was controversial.
==Works==
===Novels===
*''Kalvanin Kadhali'' (Thief’s Lover) (1937)
*''Thyaga Bhoomi'' (Land of Sacrifice)(1938-1939)
*''Magudapathi'' (1942)
*''Abalayin Kaneer'' (Tears of Agony) (1947)
*''Solaimalai Ilavarasi'' (Princess of Solaimalai) (1947)
*''Alai Osai'' (Sound of the Waves) (1948)
*''Devagiyin Kanavan'' (Devaki's Husband) (1950)
*''Mohini Theevu'' (Mohini Island) (1950)
*''Poiman Karadu'' (1951)
*''Punnaivanathu Puli'' (Tiger of Punnaivanam) (1952)
*''Amara Thara'' (1954)
====Historical novels====
*''Parthiban Kanavu'' (Parthiban’s Dream) (1941 - 1943)
*''Sivagamiyin Sabatham'' (Sivagami's vow) (1944 - 1946)
*''Ponniyin Selvan'' (Son of Ponni) (1951 - 1954)
===Short stories===
#''Subathirayin Sagothiran'' (Brother Of Subhadra)
#''Ottrai Roja'' (Single Rose)
#''Theepiditha kudisaikal'' (Huts On Fire)
#''Pudhu Overseer'' (The New Overseer)
#''Vasthudhu Venu''
#''Amara Vazhvu'' (Eternal Life)
#''Sunduvin Sanyasam'' (The Asceticism Of Sundu)
#''Thirudan Magan Thirudan'' (Thief, Son Of A Thief)
#''Imayamalai Engal Malai'' (The Himalayas Are Our Mountain)
#Pongumankadal (Rising Sea)
#''Master Medhuvadai''
#''Pushpa Pallaku'' (The Flower Palanquin)
#''Prapala Natchathiram'' (Celebrity Star)
#''Pithalai Ottiyanam'' (Brass Ottiyanam)
#''Arunachalathin Aluval'' (Officials Of Arunachal)
#''Parisal Thurai'' (Parisal Dock)
#''Susila M. A.''
#''Kamalavin Kalyanam'' (Kamala's Wedding)
#''Tharkolai'' (Suicide)
#''S. S. Menaka''
#''Saradhai Yin Thandhiram'' (Saradha's Gambit)
#''Governer Vijayam'' (Governor's Visit)
#''Number''
#''Onpathu Kuli Nilam'' (Nine Pit Land)
#''Punnaivanathu Puli'' (Tiger Of Punnaivanam)
#''Tiruvalunthur Sivakkoluntu''
#''Zamindar Magan'' (Son Of Zamindar)
#''Mayilai Kaalai'' (Bull Of Mayilai)
#''Rangadurgam Raja''
#''Idindha Kottai'' (The Ruined Fort)
#''Mayilvizhi Maan'' (Peacock Eyed Deer)
#''Nataga kaari'' (Theatre Actress)
#''Tappili Cup''
#''Kanaiyaliyin Kanavu'' (Signet Ring's Dream)
#''Kedhari Yin Thayar'' (Kedhari's Mother)
#''Gandhimathi Yin Kadhalan'' (Gandhimathi's Lover)
#''Chiranjeevi Kathai'' (Story Of Chiranjeevi)
#''Srikanthan Punarjanmam'' (Srikanthan’s Rebirth)
#''Paladaintha Bungalow'' (Dilapidated Bungalow)
#''Chandramathi''
#''Police Virundhu'' (Police Dinner)
#''Kaidhi Yin Prarthanai'' (Prisoner's Prayer)
#''Karirulil Oru Minnal'' (Lightning In The Dark)
#''Thandhaiyum Maganum'' (Father And Son)
#''Bhavani, B. A, B. L''
#''Kadithamum Kaneerum'' (Letter And Tears Shed)
#Vaira Modhiram (Diamond Ring)
#''Veena Bhavani''
#''Thooku Thaṇdanai'' (Execution By Hanging)
#''En Deivam'' (My God)
#''Ejamana Vishvasam'' (Faithful Servant)
#''Idhu Enna Sorgam'' (What Kind Of A Paradise Is This)
#''Kailasam Iyar Kaabaraa''
#''Lanjam Vankadhavan'' (The One Who Does Not Accept Bribes)
#''Cinema Kadhai'' (Cinema Story)
#''Engal Oor Sangeedha Potti'' (Music Competition In Our Village)
#''Rangoon Mappillai'' (Groom From Rangoon)
#''Devakiyin Kanavan'' (Devaki's Husband)
#''Bala Josier'' (Young Astrologer)
#''Madadhevan Sunai'' (Madadhevan's Spring)
#''Kaatharaa Kallan''
#''Malatiyin Thandhai'' (Malathi's Father)
#''Veedu Thedum Padalam'' (House-hunting Chapter)
#''Neenda Mugavurai'' (Long Preface)
#''Paangar Vinayakarao''
#''Deyvayanai'' (Divine Elephant)
#''Govinthanum Veerappanum'' (Govindan And Veerappan)
#''Chinnathambiyum Thirutargalum'' (Chinnathambi And The Thieves)
#''Vidhushagan Chinnumudhali'' (Chinnamudhali, The Jester)
#''Arasur Panchayathu'' (Arasur Panchayat)
#''Governor Vandi'' (Governor's Car)
#''Thandanai Yaarukku'' (Who Is Punished?)
#''Suyanalam'' (Selfishness)
#''Puli Raja'' (Tiger King)
#''Visha Mandhiram'' (Poisonous Spell)
== Essays ==
*''Ettikku Potti'' - Comedy Articles
*''Sangeethayogam'' - Articles on Tamil Music - 1947, ''Tamil Pannai'' Publication.
==Translated works==
Novels like ''Ponniyin Selvan, Sivagamiyin Sapatham, Parthiban Kanavu, Alai Osai'' have been translated into English by numerous translators.
==In other forms==
====Movie====
*''Kalvanin Kadhali'', written by Kalki, was made into a motion picture in 1955 by V.S. Raghavan.
*''Thyaga Bhoomi'' written by Kalki was made into a film in 1939 under the direction of K. Subramaniam.
*''Meera'', written by Kalki, starring M.S. Subbulakshmi, was released in 1945. Kalki wrote the story and dialogue for the film and five songs. The film was a success and he invested his earnings in the Kalki magazine.
*''Parthiban Kanavu'', written by Kalki, was made into a film in 1960 under the direction of Yoganath
====Drama====
Works like ''Ponniyin Selvan'' and ''Sivagamiyin Sabatham'' have been staged by various theatre groups.
==Awards==
Sahitya Akademi Award, 1956 - ''Alai Osai''


== Literary life ==  
Sangeetha Kalasikamani Award, 1953, The Indian Fine Arts Society
==Death==
Kalki passed away on December 5, 1954 at the age of 55. He suffered from tuberculosis for five years.
==Case Record==
Writer Sunda (Meenakshi Sundaram) has written a biography on Kalki under the title "Son of Ponni". It was serialized in ''Kalki'' magazine
==References==
https://www.kalkibiography.com/


[[File:Kalki2.jpg|thumb|கல்கி கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி, கல்கி சதாசிவம், நடுவே ராஜாஜி]]
Sangeetha Yoga https://www.jmi.ac.in/upload/departments/history/drs/Cankita%20yokam.pdf
Kalki abridged and translated autobiography of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] which he wrote continuously from 1925 to 1929 in Navjeevan, and published in Navasakthi. He also wrote stories for Navasakthi. When the magazine 'Ananda Vikatan' was launched ,a friend of [[Subramania Bharathi | Subramania Bharathiar]], Parali S.Nellaiyappar introduced Kalki to S.S. Vasan in February 1928, . Kalki wrote a humorous article titled 'Ettikku Potti' Ananda Vikatan . This was the first article written by Krishnamurthy under the pseudonym Kalki. A subsequent collection of essays entitled 'Ettikku Potti' was published in 1927 with an introduction by  Rajagopalachari.  


At the age of 23, Kalki wrote the novel 'Vimala' while in prison for involving himself in the Non-Cooperation Movement. It is about a young man imprisoned for his involvement in the Non-Cooperation Movement which is of a biographical redention. This novel was published as a series in 1923 by V. Ramasamy Iyerngar (Va. Ra) in his magizine ‘Susindran’, which was penned  under the name Ra. Krishnamurthy.
{{Finalised-en}}
[[Category:English Content]]

Latest revision as of 20:07, 12 July 2023

இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: கல்கி (எழுத்தாளர்) ‎

Kalki

Kalki (Ra. Krishnamurthy) (September 9, 1899 - December 5, 1954) was an author who wrote some of the most popular historical romances in Tamil. He emerged as a writer from the Indian freedom struggle movement. He was also the pioneer of the Tamilisai Iyakkam, a movement that advocated for greater representation of Tamil songs in Carnatic concerts, and Tamil journalism. He made significant contributions in the evolution of modern Tamil prose. Historical romance novels such as Ponniyin Selvan, Sivagamiyin Sabatham written by Kalki are some of the most beloved classics of popular Tamil fiction. Kalki was the founder of Kalki magazine.

Biography

Birth, Education

Kalki was born on September 9, 1899 in Puthamangalam near Mayiladuthurai in the old Thanjavur district. His father was Ramasamy Iyer and his mother was Thayyal Nayagi. After receiving primary education in his village, he attended Mayuram Municipal High School. He then joined Trichy National High School. He did not complete his schooling as he joined the national movement at an early age and took part in the freedom struggle.

Private life

Young Kalki

Kalki married Rukmini in 1924. He had a son (Rajendran) and a daughter (Anandi). He worked as a journalist for Thiru.V. Kalyanasundaram 's Navasakthi magazine and later for Ananda Vikatan. He successfully started a magazine under his own name – Kalki

Political career

Kalki had a long political career. When Gandhi started the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921, he was inspired by his ideas and joined the Indian National Congress. He took part in the freedom struggle in 1922 and was sentenced to one year of imprisonment. After being released, he joined the Tamil Nadu Congress Party headquartered at Trichy. He worked in the Khadar office in Erode for some time. In 1923 he worked as a co-editor of the magazine Navasakthi run by Thiru.V. Kalyanasundaram. In Tiruchengode Rajaji inaugurated the Gandhi Ashram on February 6, 1925 and launched the magazine Vimochanam. Kalki went to Tiruchengode and stayed with Rajaji where he then lead the Vimochanam magazine. Kalki considered Rajaji his political mentor. He followed Rajaji’s political views and remained with him till his death. He was known as "Rajaji's sword". In 1930, he participated the Salt Satyagraha led by Rajaji and was arrested at Gobichettipalayam for violating the Salt Act of 1882. He was imprisoned for six months. When Gandhi declared the Quit India movement in 1940, he resigned his job as editor of Ananda Vikatan magazine and joined the struggle. He was sentenced to three months of rigorous imprisonment.

Journalism

Kalki3.jpg

Kalki was a relentless journalist since 1923. He worked as the co-editor of Thiru.V. Kalyanasundaram's Navasakthi magazine. In 1931 he became the co editor of the Ananda Vikatan magazine started by S.S. Vasan. Kalki made Ananda Vikatan a successful public magazine. Ananda Vikatan magazine made popular/pulp reading a campaign in Tamil culture and a successful business. Kalki developed a simple style of humor and satire suitable for the general readers. He created a lineage of writers like Devan, Thumilan etc. who followed his style of writing. He pioneered journalistic writing in many areas, including film criticism and political writing.

Kalki started the magazine Kalki in 1941 with the help of his friend Sadasivam. It is said that the reason behind this was that Ananda Vikatans S.S. Vasan condemned Kalki’s involvement in the Quit India Movement. Rajaji blessed Kalki for his venture into the creation of Kalki magazine. The serialized historical romances he wrote in Kalki magazine which started with the novel, Parthiban Kanavu, sealed its success. This was then followed by the widely popular novels Sivagamiyin Sabatham and Ponniyin Selvan.

Kalki allowed a string of writers like Mayavi and P.M. Kannan, who had a different style of writing from his own, use the Kalki magazine as a platform. Writers like Na. Parthasarathy (Manivannan) who followed in Kalki's footsteps were inspired by the writing styles of V.S. Khandekar and Mu. Varadarajan. Thus Kalki was one of the foremost pioneers of Tamil journalism and popular Tamil fiction.

Literary life

Kalki Krishnamurthy, Rajaji, Kalki Sadasivam

Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography was serialized in Navjivan from 1925 to 1929. Kalki simultaneously published an abridged Tamil translation of this work in Navasakthi. He also wrote short stories for Navasakthi in the same period. When the magazine Ananda Vikatan was launched, a friend of Subramania Bharathi, Parali S. Nellaiyappar, introduced Kalki to S.S. Vasan in February, 1928. Kalki wrote a humorous article titled Ettikku Potti in Ananda Vikatan. This was the first article written by Krishnamurthy under the pseudonym Kalki. A subsequent collection of essays entitled Ettikku Potti was published in 1927 with an introduction by Rajagopalachari.

At the age of 23, Kalki wrote the novel Vimala while in prison for being involved in the Non-Cooperation Movement. It was autobiographical in nature, about a young man imprisoned for his involvement in the Non-Cooperation Movement. This novel was serialized in V. Ramasamy Iyangar's (Va. Ra) magazine Suthanthiram in 1923. Kalki wrote it under the name Ra. Krishnamurthy.

In 1937 he published his first series Kalvanin Kadhali in Ananda Vikatan under his pen name Kalki. Following Kalvanin Kadhali, he published Thyaga Bhoomi in Ananda Vikatan, which was made into a motion picture. After he started his magazine Kalki, he began writing grand historical romances starting with Parthiban Kanavu. His most famous novels among them were Sivagamiyin Sapatham and Ponniyin Selvan. Ponniyin Selvan (1952) was considered to be the foremost popular literary work in Tamil.

Tamil Music Movement

https: //www.kalkibiography.com/

Kalki was one of the pioneers of the Tamilisai Iyakkam (Tamil music movement), which was started with the demand that Carnatic music concerts should give a prominent place to Tamil compositions. He wrote numerous articles in support of the Tamil music movement. Kalki wrote the lyrics to the film composition "kaatrinile varum geetham", which was a noteworthy Tamilisai song. In 1941 he attended the first Tamil Music Conference organized by Raja Annamalai Chettiar in Chennai. His articles in support of the Tamil Music Movement have been compiled into a book titled Sangeethayogam.

Cultural Activities

  • Kalki attended the Tamil Music Conference held at Ettayapuram in 1945 . During the ceremony, a request was made of him to build a memorial hall for Subramaniya Bharathi at Ettayapuram. Kalki put forth the same request to the reading public through his magazine. The hall was inaugurated by C. Rajagopalachari on October 13, 1947.
  • Kalki raised funds for Bharathi's wife Chellamma Bharathi in 1945 and created a deposit fund.
  • In 1948, writer Pudhumaipithan, who was a fierce critic of Kalki, passed away. Kalki then raised funds to help Pudhumaipithan's wife Kamala and her daughter out of poverty. A significant amount was donated to her.

Literary Significance

Kalki with Ellis R. Duncan at Ajanta Caves

Kalki's primary literary contribution was his contribution to the development of Tamil prose. He expanded all the possibilities of Tamil prose by writing a series of entertaining novels, magazine articles, short stories, travelogues, music criticism, film criticism, political criticism, satire and biographies. In this regard, he was a pioneer. Three generations of writers have followed him since.

Early novels of Kalki such as Thyaga Bhoomi are similar to those of George W.M. Reynolds, thrilling and sentimental. Kalki's storytelling was influenced by pioneers such as Vaduvoor Duraisamy Iyengar. He later wrote historical novels. Kalki cites writers such as Sir Walter Scott and Alexander Dumas as his inspirations. Critics considered novels such as Parthiban Kanavu, Sivagamiyin Sabatham, and Ponniyin Selvan to be historical romances.

But unlike his predecessors, Kalki's works, although wildly popular, contained elements of the Indian national uprising, Tamil cultural renaissance and social reforms of his period. His historical novels depicted the historical golden age of the Tamils. His novels were based on the researches of historians like K.A. Neelakanda Sastri and they took the history of the Cholas and Pallavas to the lay public. They reinforced the Tamil national pride that was already emerging during his period. Kalki's novels depict the cultural evolution of Tamil Nadu. Sivagamiyin Sabatham echoes the tone and sentiments of Ramayana while Ponniyin Selvan has the tone of Mahabharata. Ponniyin Selvan was influenced by novels such as Alexander Dumas' 'The Three Musketeers’ and 'The Man in the Iron Mask’. In his book 'Naveena Thamizhilakiya Arimugam’ (Introduction to modern Tamil literature), writer Jayamohan notes that Kalki "combined the spirit of the Indian epic tradition with the descriptive narration of Western adventure novels to create his fiction".

Controversies

  • In 1936, Kalki made a controversial statement that Subramania Bharathi was not one of the Mahakavis (great poets) of India, an opinion that was opposed by writers like Ku.Pa. Rajagopalan. This was known as the 'Bharathi-Mahakavi controversy'. The writers wrote a series of articles back and forth on this topic in 1936, which were later compiled and published by Rajagopalan under the title Kannan En Kavi (Kannan, my poet).
  • In 1937, Pudhumaipithan accused Kalki of plagiarising from the novels of Alexander Dumas and Walter Scott. Kalki denied the accusation. This was a controversy, on which many authors and critics weighed in with their opinions.
  • When Gandhi announced his Temple Entry Movement in 1939, the head of the Kanchi mutt, Chandrasekara Saraswati opposed it. Kalki vehemently objected saying, "You are the leader of a caste, not a jagatguru (Teacher of the World)." This statement was controversial.

Works

Novels

  • Kalvanin Kadhali (Thief’s Lover) (1937)
  • Thyaga Bhoomi (Land of Sacrifice)(1938-1939)
  • Magudapathi (1942)
  • Abalayin Kaneer (Tears of Agony) (1947)
  • Solaimalai Ilavarasi (Princess of Solaimalai) (1947)
  • Alai Osai (Sound of the Waves) (1948)
  • Devagiyin Kanavan (Devaki's Husband) (1950)
  • Mohini Theevu (Mohini Island) (1950)
  • Poiman Karadu (1951)
  • Punnaivanathu Puli (Tiger of Punnaivanam) (1952)
  • Amara Thara (1954)

Historical novels

  • Parthiban Kanavu (Parthiban’s Dream) (1941 - 1943)
  • Sivagamiyin Sabatham (Sivagami's vow) (1944 - 1946)
  • Ponniyin Selvan (Son of Ponni) (1951 - 1954)

Short stories

  1. Subathirayin Sagothiran (Brother Of Subhadra)
  2. Ottrai Roja (Single Rose)
  3. Theepiditha kudisaikal (Huts On Fire)
  4. Pudhu Overseer (The New Overseer)
  5. Vasthudhu Venu
  6. Amara Vazhvu (Eternal Life)
  7. Sunduvin Sanyasam (The Asceticism Of Sundu)
  8. Thirudan Magan Thirudan (Thief, Son Of A Thief)
  9. Imayamalai Engal Malai (The Himalayas Are Our Mountain)
  10. Pongumankadal (Rising Sea)
  11. Master Medhuvadai
  12. Pushpa Pallaku (The Flower Palanquin)
  13. Prapala Natchathiram (Celebrity Star)
  14. Pithalai Ottiyanam (Brass Ottiyanam)
  15. Arunachalathin Aluval (Officials Of Arunachal)
  16. Parisal Thurai (Parisal Dock)
  17. Susila M. A.
  18. Kamalavin Kalyanam (Kamala's Wedding)
  19. Tharkolai (Suicide)
  20. S. S. Menaka
  21. Saradhai Yin Thandhiram (Saradha's Gambit)
  22. Governer Vijayam (Governor's Visit)
  23. Number
  24. Onpathu Kuli Nilam (Nine Pit Land)
  25. Punnaivanathu Puli (Tiger Of Punnaivanam)
  26. Tiruvalunthur Sivakkoluntu
  27. Zamindar Magan (Son Of Zamindar)
  28. Mayilai Kaalai (Bull Of Mayilai)
  29. Rangadurgam Raja
  30. Idindha Kottai (The Ruined Fort)
  31. Mayilvizhi Maan (Peacock Eyed Deer)
  32. Nataga kaari (Theatre Actress)
  33. Tappili Cup
  34. Kanaiyaliyin Kanavu (Signet Ring's Dream)
  35. Kedhari Yin Thayar (Kedhari's Mother)
  36. Gandhimathi Yin Kadhalan (Gandhimathi's Lover)
  37. Chiranjeevi Kathai (Story Of Chiranjeevi)
  38. Srikanthan Punarjanmam (Srikanthan’s Rebirth)
  39. Paladaintha Bungalow (Dilapidated Bungalow)
  40. Chandramathi
  41. Police Virundhu (Police Dinner)
  42. Kaidhi Yin Prarthanai (Prisoner's Prayer)
  43. Karirulil Oru Minnal (Lightning In The Dark)
  44. Thandhaiyum Maganum (Father And Son)
  45. Bhavani, B. A, B. L
  46. Kadithamum Kaneerum (Letter And Tears Shed)
  47. Vaira Modhiram (Diamond Ring)
  48. Veena Bhavani
  49. Thooku Thaṇdanai (Execution By Hanging)
  50. En Deivam (My God)
  51. Ejamana Vishvasam (Faithful Servant)
  52. Idhu Enna Sorgam (What Kind Of A Paradise Is This)
  53. Kailasam Iyar Kaabaraa
  54. Lanjam Vankadhavan (The One Who Does Not Accept Bribes)
  55. Cinema Kadhai (Cinema Story)
  56. Engal Oor Sangeedha Potti (Music Competition In Our Village)
  57. Rangoon Mappillai (Groom From Rangoon)
  58. Devakiyin Kanavan (Devaki's Husband)
  59. Bala Josier (Young Astrologer)
  60. Madadhevan Sunai (Madadhevan's Spring)
  61. Kaatharaa Kallan
  62. Malatiyin Thandhai (Malathi's Father)
  63. Veedu Thedum Padalam (House-hunting Chapter)
  64. Neenda Mugavurai (Long Preface)
  65. Paangar Vinayakarao
  66. Deyvayanai (Divine Elephant)
  67. Govinthanum Veerappanum (Govindan And Veerappan)
  68. Chinnathambiyum Thirutargalum (Chinnathambi And The Thieves)
  69. Vidhushagan Chinnumudhali (Chinnamudhali, The Jester)
  70. Arasur Panchayathu (Arasur Panchayat)
  71. Governor Vandi (Governor's Car)
  72. Thandanai Yaarukku (Who Is Punished?)
  73. Suyanalam (Selfishness)
  74. Puli Raja (Tiger King)
  75. Visha Mandhiram (Poisonous Spell)

Essays

  • Ettikku Potti - Comedy Articles
  • Sangeethayogam - Articles on Tamil Music - 1947, Tamil Pannai Publication.

Translated works

Novels like Ponniyin Selvan, Sivagamiyin Sapatham, Parthiban Kanavu, Alai Osai have been translated into English by numerous translators.

In other forms

Movie

  • Kalvanin Kadhali, written by Kalki, was made into a motion picture in 1955 by V.S. Raghavan.
  • Thyaga Bhoomi written by Kalki was made into a film in 1939 under the direction of K. Subramaniam.
  • Meera, written by Kalki, starring M.S. Subbulakshmi, was released in 1945. Kalki wrote the story and dialogue for the film and five songs. The film was a success and he invested his earnings in the Kalki magazine.
  • Parthiban Kanavu, written by Kalki, was made into a film in 1960 under the direction of Yoganath

Drama

Works like Ponniyin Selvan and Sivagamiyin Sabatham have been staged by various theatre groups.

Awards

Sahitya Akademi Award, 1956 - Alai Osai

Sangeetha Kalasikamani Award, 1953, The Indian Fine Arts Society

Death

Kalki passed away on December 5, 1954 at the age of 55. He suffered from tuberculosis for five years.

Case Record

Writer Sunda (Meenakshi Sundaram) has written a biography on Kalki under the title "Son of Ponni". It was serialized in Kalki magazine

References

https://www.kalkibiography.com/

Sangeetha Yoga https://www.jmi.ac.in/upload/departments/history/drs/Cankita%20yokam.pdf

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