Kanmani Gunasekaran
இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: கண்மணி குணசேகரன்
Kanmani Gunasekaran (May 19, 1971) is a Tamil writer. He writes about the stories and struggles of downtrodden people of Villupuram and Cuddalore regions, also known as 'Nadunadu'. Kanmani Gunasekaran began writing poems and extended his creative expanse by writing short stories and novels.
Birth, Youth
Kanmani Gunasekaran was born on May 19, 1971, in Manakkollai, Cuddalore district. He was the third son of Ayyathurai and Chinnammal. Kanmani Gunasekaran studied in Irulakurichi till the fifth grade, and in Aladi Government School, Ulundurpet till the tenth grade. Later Kanmani Gunasekaran completed his vocational training at the Government Polytechnic College, Ulundurpet.
Personal Life
After completing his vocational education, Kanmani Gunasekaran worked as an apprentice in the Senji Periyar branch of the Periyar Transport Corporation. Since 1999, Kanmani Gunasekaran has been working in the Virudhachalam branch of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation. Kanmani Gunasekaran also looks after his farm during his spare time.
Kanmani Gunasekaran's wife's name is Kasimani. He has three children: Tamilmathi, Arivumathi and Ilamathi.
Literary Contribution
Kanmani Gunasekaran initially wrote poems on love. Later, he started writing stories, impacted by Tha. Pazhamalai’s works. His first collection of poems, Thalaimuraikopam was published in 1994 and received extensive appreciation. Nadunaata Sollakradhi a lexicon of ancient and regionally used Tamil words; the book received an award from the Government of Tamil Nadu. The novel Anjalai portrays women and their exploiters through nuanced character arcs. The novels Nedunjalai, which focuses on the transport sector, and the novel Vandharangudi, which depicts the people whose livelihoods are affected by government development projects, are novels with nuanced characterisations — the novels were read widely.
Kanmani Gunasekaran's novels include the myths and the Gods of the Cuddalore region. His novel Anjalai is used as a textbook at Kozhikode University.
Awards
- Neithal Award in memory of Sundararamasamy (2007).
- Nadunaata Sollakradhi won 'The best book' award from the Tamil Development Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Criticisms
Kanmani Gunasekaran is directly involved in Vanniyar caste organization and the caste's political party Pattali Makkal Katchi which raised discussions on whether it is appropriate for a modern literary writer to take direct part in Caste based organizations. Even in the year 2021 the discussions surfaced.
Literary Significance
Kanmani Gunasekaran's novels depict various instances of life in a naturalistic way. They portray the ever-present human emotions and not just the hardships of common people. Kanmani Gunasekaran writes about life in the language of the people of their region. Kanmani Gunasekaran by fictionalising experiences from his field of work he brings to life hidden pages of human experience succinctly. Kanmani Gunasekaran has written the intricacies of the female characters precisely.
Works
Poems
- Thalaimuraikopam (1994)
- Kaatrin Paadal Kavithaigal (2001)
- Kanmani Gunasekaranin Kavithaigal
- Mundram Naal Pen (2020)
- Uthimaakulam (2021)
- Kaalirangi Peyyumothu Ganamazhai
- Milirkondrai
- Kaalidayil Kuviyum Nizhalgal
Short Stories
- Uyirthanneer
- Aathandaar Koyil Kudhirai
- Vellerukku
- Puraniporkalai
- Kikulinjan
- Samanadha Kari
- Pullipottai
- Vaadamallo
- Sitrukalil Thotriya Theethuli
Novels
- Nedunjalai
- Anjalai
- Korai
- Vandharangudi
Dictionary
- Nadunaata Sollakradhi
