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[[File:சுஜாதா, கமல்ஹாசன்.jpg|thumb|Sujatha, Kamal Hassan]]
[[File:சுஜாதா, கமல்ஹாசன்.jpg|thumb|Sujatha, Kamal Hassan]]
[[File:சுஜாதா 4.jpg|thumb|Sujatha]]
[[File:சுஜாதா 4.jpg|thumb|Sujatha]]
Sujatha (May 3, 1935 - February 27, 2008) was a Tamil writer. He wrote serialised fiction and short stories for the common reader, and authored many famous columns in periodicals. He was an innovator of Tamil prose. A pioneer in Science Fiction writing in Tamil, he wrote essays introducing Science and Classical Tamil Literature. He was an Electronics-Engineer. He worked on the team that invented the Indian Electronics Voting Machine.
Sujatha (May 3, 1935 - February 27, 2008) was a Tamil writer. He wrote serialized fiction and short stories for the common reader, and authored many famous columns in periodicals. He brought innovation to Tamil prose and pioneered science fiction in the language. He is also known for his essays introducing science and classical Tamil literature to the common reader.  


Among those who worked in the public domain in Tamil, Sujatha was the next biggest personality after [[Kalki (writer)|Kalki]].  Like Kalki, he had a writing style that was gripping and compelling. He had a huge readership base in Tamil and a line of descendants who adapted his style.  
He was an electronics engineer and was part of the team that invented the Indian Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
== Birth, education ==
Sujatha was born S. Rangarajan on 3 May 1935 on South Street, Theppakulam, Tiruvallikeni, Chennai. His father Srinivasa Raghavan worked in the Electricity Board. His mother Kannamma came from a wealthy family. Sujatha's elder brother Mr. Krishnamachari was a doctor. His younger brother Rajagopalan retired as the Chief General Manager of the Tamil Nadu wing in the Telephone Department. Rajagopalan was a Vaishnava scholar who wrote a commentary on the Brahma Sutras. Sujatha’s younger sister Viji died at the age of three when he was eleven.


Sujatha's paternal grandparents were Kuvalakudi Singamayankar and Rukmini Ammal. Sujatha lived and studied at his grandmother's house in Srirangam while his father went to work in the woods for his Electricity Board. After finishing high school at Men's High School in Srirangam, Sujatha studied at St. Joseph's College, Trichy from 1952 to 1954 and graduated with a B.Sc. (Physics). At MIT (Madras Institute of Technology), he did his Masters in Electronics Engineering. Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, who later became the President of India, studied with him at Trichy and MIT. Sujatha won a prize for his article on Infinite Mathematics and Kalam won another for his article on building aircraft.
Within the landscape of popular writers, Sujatha was a luminary, next only to Kalki. His writing style, like Kalki's, was gripping and compelling. He wrote prolifically across various forms and formats. He had a huge reader base in Tamil and a line of proteges who followed in his style of writing.  
== Early Life and Education ==
Sujatha's given name was S. Rangarajan. He was born on 3 May 1935 in a house located in South Street in the Theppakulam area of Tiruvallikeni, Chennai. His father, Srinivasa Raghavan, worked in the Electricity Board. His mother, Kannamma, came from a wealthy family. Sujatha's elder brother, Mr. Krishnamachari, was a doctor. His younger brother, Rajagopalan, retired as the Chief General Manager of the Tamil Nadu division of the Telephone Department. Rajagopalan was also a Vaishnavite scholar and wrote a commentary on the Brahma Sutras. Sujatha’s younger sister, Viji, died at the age of three, when Sujatha was eleven.
 
Sujatha's paternal grandparents were Kuvalakudi Singamayankar and Rukmini Ammal. When his father was posted in the interiors of the state as part of his work at the electricity department, Sujatha lived at his grandmother's house in Srirangam and continued his studies. After completing his schooling at The Higher Secondary School for Boys in Srirangam, Sujatha went to St. Joseph's College in the neighbouring city of Trichy. He studied there from 1952 to 1954 and graduated with a B.Sc. in Physics. He then did a Masters in Electronics Engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, who later became President of India, studied with him at Trichy and MIT. Sujatha won a prize for his article on Infinite Mathematics and Kalam won another for his article on building aircrafts.
== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==
After studying engineering, he finished second nationally in the Central Government Examinations for Engineers. He first joined the Indian National Radio as a trainee and later worked as an Air Traffic Controller in the Civil Aviation Division at Meenambakkam, Chennai. He rose to the level of the Primary Technical Officer and served in Delhi for fourteen years.
After completing the engineering course, he wrote the engineering examination conducted by the central government and placed second nationally. He joined the national radio as a trainee and later worked as Air Traffic Controller in the Civil Aviation Department at Meenambakkam, Chennai. He rose to the level of the Chief Technical Officer and served in Delhi for fourteen years.


In 1970, he joined Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bangalore as an Assistant Manager. He took charge as the General Manager of its Research and Development Wing and worked on designing the Electronic Voting Machine. He also took part in the study of missile technology. Although previously involved in films, he became a full-time screenwriter after his retirement in 1993.
In 1970, he joined Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bangalore as Assistant Manager. He then took charge as General Manager of its R&D division and worked on designing the Electronic Voting Machine. He also took part in the study of missile technology. Although he was previously involved in films, he became a full-time screenwriter only after his retirement in 1993.


On 28 January 1963, at the age of 27, Rangarajan married Sujatha. He later adopted his wife's name as his allonym. The couple had a baby girl first that died within a year. Then they had two sons, Ranga Prasad and Keshava Prasad.
On 28 January 1963, at the age of 27, Rangarajan married Sujatha. He later adopted his wife's name as his allonym. The couple's first child, a baby girl, died within a year. Later, they had two sons, Ranga Prasad and Keshava Prasad.
== Literary life ==
== Literary Life ==
Sujatha learned Classical Tamil literature from his grandfather and the hymns of Alvars from his grandmother. In his youth he co-authored manuscript magazines in Srirangam with Srinivasan Rangarajan who later became a screenwriter under the pseudonym [[Vaali]]. Joseph Chinnappa, his English lecturer at Joseph College, Trichy, introduced him to British short stories and poetry. [[Ayyam Perumal Konar]], a Tamil teacher and the author of the famous Konar Notes, introduced him to Classical Tamil literature .
Sujatha learned classical Tamil literature from his grandfather and the hymns of Alvars from his grandmother. He ran hand-written magazines in Srirangam, in his youth, along with Srinivasan Rangarajan who later became a film lyricist under the pseudonym [[Vaali]]. Joseph Chinnappa, his English lecturer at St. Joseph's College, Trichy, introduced him to British short stories and poetry. [[Ayyam Perumal Konar]], a Tamil teacher and the author of the famous Konar Notes, a study guide, introduced him to classical Tamil literature.


Sujatha S. Rangarajan’s first story, ''Ezhuthil Himsai'' was published in 1953 in the zine ''Shivaji'' run by [[Triloka Sitaram]] from Trichy. Writers like [[Ku. Pa. Rajagopalan]] contributed to this magazine.  
Sujatha wrote his first story under his real name, S. Rangarajan. The story titled ''Ezhuthil Himsai'' was published in 1953 in the zine ''Shivaji'' run by [[Triloka Sitaram]] from Trichy. The magazine counted eminent writers like [[Ku. Pa. Rajagopalan]] as its contributors.  


Later, when he moved to Delhi, he befriended the editor of the ''Kanaiyazhi'' magazine K. Kasthurirangan, N.S. Jegannathan and [[Indira Parthasarathy]]. under the name Srirangam S.R., Sujatha started writing in the last pages of ''Kanayazhi'', which was started by Kasturirangan in July, 1956. The articles were written under various titles such as ''Neerkumizhigal'', ''Petti,'' and ''Kadasipakkam''. Finally the name ''Kadasipakkam'' stuck. These articles were compiled and published by Visa Publications.
Later, when he moved to Delhi, he befriended N.S. Jegannathan, [[Indira Parthasarathy]], the editor of the ''Kanaiyazhi'' magazine K. Kasthurirangan. Sujatha started writing a column in the last pages of ''Kanayazhi'', started by Kasturirangan in July 1956, under the name Srirangam S.R. The column was variously titled, ''Neerkumizhigal'', ''Petti,'' and ''Kadasipakkam,'' until finally the name ''Kadasipakkam'' stuck. These articles were compiled and published by Visa Publications.


Sujatha says he got the idea to enter into writing after seeing his friend’s story ''Shushma Enge'', which he helped him edit, getting published in [[Kumudam]]. His short story ''Idadhu Orathil'' was published in 1962 under the name S. Rangarajan in ''Kumudham.''
When ''[[Kumudam]]'' published ''Shushma Enge,'' a story written by his friend and edited by Sujatha, it sparked in him a desire to write. His short story ''Idadhu Orathil'' was published in 1962 under the name S. Rangarajan in ''Kumudham.''


In the anthology ''Kurukshethram'' compiled by Nagulan, Sujatha wrote ''Thanimai Kondu'', which is considered one of the best short stories in Tamil. He expanded on the same story and wrote its serialized version under the title ''Nylon Kayiru'' in ''Kumudam'' in August 1968. Originally named ''Seetu Maligai'', he later changed the name to ''Nylon Kayiru''. While writing this story, he assumed the allonym Sujatha. He said in one place that he used this pseudonym so as not to confuse his name with the writer Ra.Ki. Rangarajan, who wrote at that time in ''Kumudam'' and in another that he used the modern name Sujatha since he did not like the oldness of the name Rangarajan. However, he chose the allonym due to his position with the government's defense technology, which prevented him from writing outside of the government's publications.
In the anthology ''Kurukshethram'' compiled by Nakulan, Sujatha wrote ''Thanimai Kondu'', which is considered one of the best short stories in Tamil. He expanded on the same story and wrote its serialized version under the title ''Nylon Kayiru'' in ''Kumudam'' in August 1968. Originally named ''Seetu Maligai'', he later changed the name to ''Nylon Kayiru''. While writing this story, he assumed the allonym Sujatha. Another writer by the name R.K. Rangarajan was also writing in Kumudam at that time. Sujatha said place that he used a pseudonym so as not to confuse his name with the other writer. In another instance, he said that dislike the old ring to the name Rangarajan and hence adopted the modern name of Sujatha. In reality, he chose the allonym as it was against his employment rules to write for the outside world, given that his government job was intricately linked to defense technology.
===== Ganesh-Vasanth =====
===== Ganesh-Vasanth =====
Sujatha’s style and the reality he created in his detective stories became very popular. His famous detective characters are lawyer Ganesh and his assistant Vasanth. Ganesh made his debut in 1968 in his first serialized fiction, ''Nylon Kayiru''. Vasanth later appeared in the novel ''Priya'' in 1973 (see [[Ganesh, Vasanth]]).
Sujatha’s writing style and the world he created in his detective stories became very popular. The most popular detective characters he created were lawyer Ganesh and his assistant Vasanth. Ganesh made his debut in 1968 in Sujatha's first serialized fiction, ''Nylon Kayiru''. Vasant later appeared in the novel ''Priya'' in 1973 (see [[Ganesh, Vasanth]]).
===== Short Stories =====
===== Short Stories =====
Sujatha wrote short stories under the general headings ''Madyamar, Srirangathu Devathaigal, Thoondil Kathaigal.''
Sujatha wrote short stories anthologised under the titles ''Madyamar, Srirangathu Devathaigal, Thoondil Kathaigal.''
===== Science =====
===== Science =====
Sujatha was a pioneer writer who introduced science fiction stories to Tamil. They were published as separate collections. Sujatha's style is to write dazzling mysteries with elements of science. Sujatha's articles and Q&As on science have contributed immensely to the spread of science among the general public in Tamil. His ''Ean Etharku Eppadi'', is an acclaimed collection of columns that explains the facts of Science, in which Sujatha emerges as a scientist who has trust in the scientific evidence and the creative power of technology.  
Sujatha was a pioneering writer who introduced science fiction stories in Tamil. They were published as standalone collections too. Sujatha's style consisted of writing dazzling mysteries imbued with elements of science. Sujatha's articles and Q&As on science have contributed immensely to the spread of science among the general public in Tamil. His ''Ean Etharku Eppadi'', is an acclaimed collection of columns that explains scientific facts. Through them, Sujatha emerges as a scientist who believed in empericisim and the creative power of technology.  
===== Plays =====
===== Plays =====
Sujatha was inspired by American Realist playwrights Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. His plays like ''Dr. Narendranin Vinoda Vazhakku'' (Dr. Narendra's Bizarre Case) and ''Singamayankar’s Peran'' (Singamayankar's Grandson) have reached literary prominence through his unexaggerated portrayal of everyday life and natural dialogue.
Sujatha was inspired by American realist playwrights Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. His plays like ''Dr. Narendranin Vinoda Vazhakku'' (Dr. Narendra's Bizarre Case) and ''Singamayankar’s Peran'' (Singamayankar's Grandson) have reached literary prominence through his unexaggerated portrayal of everyday life and their natural dialogue.
===== Classical Literature =====
===== Classical Literature =====
Sujatha wrote books in simple contemporary Tamil that explained ''Thirukkural'' and ''Sangam songs''. His explanations of Alvar's hymns are noteworthy.
Sujatha wrote books explaining the ''Thirukkural'' and ''Sangam poetry'' in simple, contemporary Tamil. His explonatory notes on Alvar's hymns are noteworthy.
===== Style =====
===== Style =====
After Bharathi and the [[Pudhumaipithan]], Sujatha's style is considered to be the most influential style in Tamil. Even though he handled the style for the general public, it still influenced many of the writers in the serious literary field. The nature of Sujatha's style is threefold.
After Bharathi and the [[Pudhumaipithan]], Sujatha's writing style is considered to be the most influential in modern Tamil. Even though he adopted this style to appeal to the general public, it influenced many writers in serious literature too. There were three cornerstones of his writing:
* Externality - Sujatha focused on portraying the outside world and the storyline in detail.
* Externality - Sujatha focused on portraying the outside world and building the storyline through external detail.
* Minimalistic - In a minimalistic style, Sujatha tried to describe events or scenes using the fewest possible words.
* Minimalist - Sujatha's writing was characterized by brevity in descriptions of scenes and events.
* Playfulness - the author emerges in Sujatha's style with a unique playfulness. His language was laden with humor and ridicule.
* Playfulness - In Sujatha's writing, the author's voice was always playful. His language was laden with humor and sarcasm.
The Tamil pioneers who influenced Sujatha's style were Pudhumaipithan and [[Ashokamitran]]. His pioneers from the West include literary writers like Ernest Hemingway and John Updike, as well as popular fiction writers like Frederick Forsyth. Sujatha used Updike’s techniques of overlaying characters one on top of another, using several dots to indicate silence and distorting nouns into verbs. He used Hemingway’s technique of crisply describing the external world by borrowing unusual similes from fields like Aeronautics (Cobalt blue sky). Sujatha also employed the subtle parody created by slightly twisting the language in the style of Kurt Vonnegut.
The pioneering Tamil writers, Pudhumaipithan and [[Ashokamitran]], influenced Sujatha's style. Amongst the Western world, literary writers like Ernest Hemingway and John Updike, and popular fiction writers like Frederick Forsyth were his influences. Sujatha used Updike’s techniques of word arrangements, the use of the epsilon to indicate silence and distorting nouns into verbs. He followed Hemingway’s technique of using pithy descriptions of the external world by borrowing unusual similes from other fields like aeronautics (cobalt blue sky, for instance). Sujatha also employed subtle parody in his stories, achieved by language plays in the style of Kurt Vonnegut.


Sujata's style went beyond mere technique because it was enriched by his extensive reading and keen observation. As he carefully observed all the linguistic expressions in Sangam literature, hymns of Alvars, the terminology used in Law and Commerce, dialects in Chennai and Trichy, tags in Modern literature, he adapted their diction in his writing. His style demanded a close reading due to its versatility. Thus he can only be compared with [[Pudhumaipithan]]. His writing style had a profound effect on the next generation of writers because of its depth.
Sujata's style went beyond mere technique because it was enriched by his extensive reading and keen observation. He was a careful student of the varied ways in which language is expressed; he studied the Sangam literature and the hymns of Alvars; he observed keenly the terminologies used in law and commerce, the spoken language in Chennai and Trichy, and the lingo of modern literature. He borrowed from these varied expressions in his writing, and made it his own. His style demands careful reading due to its versatility. In this aspect, only [[Pudhumaipithan]] can be regarded his equal. This depth in his writing was also the reason for the profound effect his writing had on the next generation.
== Journalism ==
== Journalism ==
Sujatha was the editor of the ''Kumudam'' magazine for three years.


He was the editor of the online journals ''Minnambalam'' and ''Ambalam''.
* Sujatha was the editor of the ''Kumudam'' magazine for three years.
* He was the editor of the online journals ''Minnambalam'' and ''Ambalam''.
== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
The first Sujatha novel to be made into a film was ''Gayatri'' (1977). Then he started writing dialogue for movies. His first film to write dialogue was ''Ninaithale Inikkum'' (1979). Sujatha worked as a writer in 30 films.
The first novel of Sujatha's to be made into a film was ''Gayatri'' (1977). Then he started writing dialogues for movies. The first film for which he wrote dialogue was ''Ninaithale Inikkum'' (1979). Sujatha worked as a writer in thirty films.
 
Sujatha joined hands with the entrepreneur, 'Pentafour' Chandrasekaran and founded Media Dreams, a film production company. Media Dreams produced Bharathi (2000), Nila Kaalam (2001), Little John (2001), Pandavar Bhoomi (2001) amongst other films.
== Controversies ==
== Controversies ==
Sujatha started the novel ''Sivappu karuppu veluppu'' in 1980 in ''Kumudam''. Violent protests erupted that the story was insulting to the Nadar community. Sujatha apologized. ''Kumudam'' stopped publishing the novel. Later, he wrote the novel under the name ''Ratham Ore Niram'' without mentioning caste.
In 1980, Sujatha started writing a novel, ''Sivappu Karuppu Veluppu'' in ''Kumudam''. Violent protests erupted, claiming that the story insulted the Nadar community, forcing Sujatha to apologize. ''Kumudam'' stopped publishing the novel. Later, he wrote the novel under the name ''Ratham Ore Niram'' without any caste references.
== Awards ==
== Awards ==
* 1993 Award by the National Institute of Science and Technology for the dissemination of science.
* In 1993, he received an award from Government of India's National Council for Science and Technology for making science accessible to the public
* VASVIK Award for his work on creating the Electronic Voting Machine.
* VASVIK Award for his efforts in creating the Electronic Voting Machine.
* The Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
* The Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Sujatha has not won any literary awards of note.
== Death ==
== Death ==
Sujatha passed away on 27 February 2008 in Chennai. He had been in medical treatment for kidney failure for some years.
Sujatha passed away on 27 February 2008 in Chennai. He was being treated for kidney failure for some years.
== Memories ==
== Memories ==
''Uyirmmai Padhippagam'' presents the Sujatha Awards for Literature annually.


Ira. Murugan wrote a biography of Sujatha for the Sahitya Akademi
* ''Uyirmmai Padhippagam'' presents the Sujatha Awards for Literature annually.
* The Tamil writer, Ira. Murugan wrote a biography of Sujatha for the Sahitya Akademi
== Literary Significance ==
== Literary Significance ==
Sujatha's literary significance is primarily shaped by the influence of his style. There were two styles that preceded him in the context of Tamil literature. Kalki's simple style, which spoke directly to the reader, and Chandilyan's hyperbolic style with rhetoric and flowery language occupied the plane of general reading while Ashokamitran’s Realistic writing and [[Sundara Ramaswamy]]’s witty and satirical style were found in the Modern literary context. Sujatha’s style absorbed a lot of external symbols and ran with humor and playfulness, entirely dependent on the external world. His style was suited to narrate modern life.
Sujatha's literary significance originates primarily from the influence his style had on other Tamil writers. There were two styles that preceded him in the context of Tamil literature. In popular fiction, on the one hand, there was Kalki's simple prose, which spoke directly to the reader, and on the other, Chandilyan's ornate prose. In the modern literary context, Ashokamitran’s realistic writing, which narrated things as they were, and [[Sundara Ramaswamy]]’s witty and satirical prose where the two dominant styles. Sujatha’s writing, embellished with a plethora of external symbols was humourous and playful. This way of writing, which was steeped in the external world, suited the narration of modern life.


Sujatha’s vision was cherished by the readers of the eighties. The political intensity that prevailed globally in the seventies was not felt during the eighties. The new generation, which was apolitical and believed in science of technology, felt its intimacy with Sujatha.
Sujatha’s vision resonated with the readers of the eighties. The political intensity that prevailed globally in the seventies dissipated during the eighties. The new generation, was apolitical and believed in science and technology. For a generation that had replaced the preoccupation with politics with its interest in science, Sujatha was a writer after their own heart.


Sujatha wrote pioneering Science Fiction stories in Tamil. His stories had the quality of Science Fiction only due to his handling of technology in them. Unlike the best Science Fiction stories in the world, they are not based on scientific principles or use scientific images to explore fundamental questions about life.
The use of technology in mystery stories is what gave the tag of science fiction to Sujatha's works. Unlike the best science fiction writing in the world, they were neither based on scientific principles nor did they use the images of science to explore fundamental questions about life. However, they were important in that they pioneered the genre in Tamil.  


“Sujatha’s stories which truthfully describe middle class life and his plays that have a realistic aesthetic are of literary quality,” says [[Jeyamohan]].  
“Amongst Sujatha’s short stories, the ones that portray the middle class life without fuss, have a literary quality. His plays too are literary works set in the aesthetic of realism,” says [[Jeyamohan]].  
== Works ==
== Works ==
====== Novels ======
====== Novels ======
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* [https://s-pasupathy.blogspot.com/search/label/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%9C%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BE பசுபதி பக்கங்கள் சுஜாதா]
* [https://s-pasupathy.blogspot.com/search/label/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%9C%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BE பசுபதி பக்கங்கள் சுஜாதா]
* https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/41387-10-2.html
* https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/41387-10-2.html
{{Ready for review-en}}
{{First review completed-en}}
[[Category:English Content]]
[[Category:English Content]]

Revision as of 10:24, 27 April 2022

இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: சுஜாதா ‎

Sujatha
Sujatha and Rajagopalan
Sujatha - marriage
Sujatha with his wife
Sujatha with his wife
Sujatha's first story. Sivaji magazine 1953
Sujatha and Abdul kalam, 1954 St. Joseph's College, Trichy
Sujatha
Sujatha, Kamal Hassan
Sujatha

Sujatha (May 3, 1935 - February 27, 2008) was a Tamil writer. He wrote serialized fiction and short stories for the common reader, and authored many famous columns in periodicals. He brought innovation to Tamil prose and pioneered science fiction in the language. He is also known for his essays introducing science and classical Tamil literature to the common reader.

He was an electronics engineer and was part of the team that invented the Indian Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).

Within the landscape of popular writers, Sujatha was a luminary, next only to Kalki. His writing style, like Kalki's, was gripping and compelling. He wrote prolifically across various forms and formats. He had a huge reader base in Tamil and a line of proteges who followed in his style of writing.  

Early Life and Education

Sujatha's given name was S. Rangarajan. He was born on 3 May 1935 in a house located in South Street in the Theppakulam area of Tiruvallikeni, Chennai. His father, Srinivasa Raghavan, worked in the Electricity Board. His mother, Kannamma, came from a wealthy family. Sujatha's elder brother, Mr. Krishnamachari, was a doctor. His younger brother, Rajagopalan, retired as the Chief General Manager of the Tamil Nadu division of the Telephone Department. Rajagopalan was also a Vaishnavite scholar and wrote a commentary on the Brahma Sutras. Sujatha’s younger sister, Viji, died at the age of three, when Sujatha was eleven.

Sujatha's paternal grandparents were Kuvalakudi Singamayankar and Rukmini Ammal. When his father was posted in the interiors of the state as part of his work at the electricity department, Sujatha lived at his grandmother's house in Srirangam and continued his studies. After completing his schooling at The Higher Secondary School for Boys in Srirangam, Sujatha went to St. Joseph's College in the neighbouring city of Trichy. He studied there from 1952 to 1954 and graduated with a B.Sc. in Physics. He then did a Masters in Electronics Engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, who later became President of India, studied with him at Trichy and MIT. Sujatha won a prize for his article on Infinite Mathematics and Kalam won another for his article on building aircrafts.

Personal Life

After completing the engineering course, he wrote the engineering examination conducted by the central government and placed second nationally. He joined the national radio as a trainee and later worked as Air Traffic Controller in the Civil Aviation Department at Meenambakkam, Chennai. He rose to the level of the Chief Technical Officer and served in Delhi for fourteen years.

In 1970, he joined Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bangalore as Assistant Manager. He then took charge as General Manager of its R&D division and worked on designing the Electronic Voting Machine. He also took part in the study of missile technology. Although he was previously involved in films, he became a full-time screenwriter only after his retirement in 1993.

On 28 January 1963, at the age of 27, Rangarajan married Sujatha. He later adopted his wife's name as his allonym. The couple's first child, a baby girl, died within a year. Later, they had two sons, Ranga Prasad and Keshava Prasad.

Literary Life

Sujatha learned classical Tamil literature from his grandfather and the hymns of Alvars from his grandmother. He ran hand-written magazines in Srirangam, in his youth, along with Srinivasan Rangarajan who later became a film lyricist under the pseudonym Vaali. Joseph Chinnappa, his English lecturer at St. Joseph's College, Trichy, introduced him to British short stories and poetry. Ayyam Perumal Konar, a Tamil teacher and the author of the famous Konar Notes, a study guide, introduced him to classical Tamil literature.

Sujatha wrote his first story under his real name, S. Rangarajan. The story titled Ezhuthil Himsai was published in 1953 in the zine Shivaji run by Triloka Sitaram from Trichy. The magazine counted eminent writers like Ku. Pa. Rajagopalan as its contributors.

Later, when he moved to Delhi, he befriended N.S. Jegannathan, Indira Parthasarathy, the editor of the Kanaiyazhi magazine K. Kasthurirangan. Sujatha started writing a column in the last pages of Kanayazhi, started by Kasturirangan in July 1956, under the name Srirangam S.R. The column was variously titled, Neerkumizhigal, Petti, and Kadasipakkam, until finally the name Kadasipakkam stuck. These articles were compiled and published by Visa Publications.

When Kumudam published Shushma Enge, a story written by his friend and edited by Sujatha, it sparked in him a desire to write. His short story Idadhu Orathil was published in 1962 under the name S. Rangarajan in Kumudham.

In the anthology Kurukshethram compiled by Nakulan, Sujatha wrote Thanimai Kondu, which is considered one of the best short stories in Tamil. He expanded on the same story and wrote its serialized version under the title Nylon Kayiru in Kumudam in August 1968. Originally named Seetu Maligai, he later changed the name to Nylon Kayiru. While writing this story, he assumed the allonym Sujatha. Another writer by the name R.K. Rangarajan was also writing in Kumudam at that time. Sujatha said place that he used a pseudonym so as not to confuse his name with the other writer. In another instance, he said that dislike the old ring to the name Rangarajan and hence adopted the modern name of Sujatha. In reality, he chose the allonym as it was against his employment rules to write for the outside world, given that his government job was intricately linked to defense technology.

Ganesh-Vasanth

Sujatha’s writing style and the world he created in his detective stories became very popular. The most popular detective characters he created were lawyer Ganesh and his assistant Vasanth. Ganesh made his debut in 1968 in Sujatha's first serialized fiction, Nylon Kayiru. Vasant later appeared in the novel Priya in 1973 (see Ganesh, Vasanth).

Short Stories

Sujatha wrote short stories anthologised under the titles Madyamar, Srirangathu Devathaigal, Thoondil Kathaigal.

Science

Sujatha was a pioneering writer who introduced science fiction stories in Tamil. They were published as standalone collections too. Sujatha's style consisted of writing dazzling mysteries imbued with elements of science. Sujatha's articles and Q&As on science have contributed immensely to the spread of science among the general public in Tamil. His Ean Etharku Eppadi, is an acclaimed collection of columns that explains scientific facts. Through them, Sujatha emerges as a scientist who believed in empericisim and the creative power of technology.

Plays

Sujatha was inspired by American realist playwrights Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. His plays like Dr. Narendranin Vinoda Vazhakku (Dr. Narendra's Bizarre Case) and Singamayankar’s Peran (Singamayankar's Grandson) have reached literary prominence through his unexaggerated portrayal of everyday life and their natural dialogue.

Classical Literature

Sujatha wrote books explaining the Thirukkural and Sangam poetry in simple, contemporary Tamil. His explonatory notes on Alvar's hymns are noteworthy.

Style

After Bharathi and the Pudhumaipithan, Sujatha's writing style is considered to be the most influential in modern Tamil. Even though he adopted this style to appeal to the general public, it influenced many writers in serious literature too. There were three cornerstones of his writing:

  • Externality - Sujatha focused on portraying the outside world and building the storyline through external detail.
  • Minimalist - Sujatha's writing was characterized by brevity in descriptions of scenes and events.
  • Playfulness - In Sujatha's writing, the author's voice was always playful. His language was laden with humor and sarcasm.

The pioneering Tamil writers, Pudhumaipithan and Ashokamitran, influenced Sujatha's style. Amongst the Western world, literary writers like Ernest Hemingway and John Updike, and popular fiction writers like Frederick Forsyth were his influences. Sujatha used Updike’s techniques of word arrangements, the use of the epsilon to indicate silence and distorting nouns into verbs. He followed Hemingway’s technique of using pithy descriptions of the external world by borrowing unusual similes from other fields like aeronautics (cobalt blue sky, for instance). Sujatha also employed subtle parody in his stories, achieved by language plays in the style of Kurt Vonnegut.

Sujata's style went beyond mere technique because it was enriched by his extensive reading and keen observation. He was a careful student of the varied ways in which language is expressed; he studied the Sangam literature and the hymns of Alvars; he observed keenly the terminologies used in law and commerce, the spoken language in Chennai and Trichy, and the lingo of modern literature. He borrowed from these varied expressions in his writing, and made it his own. His style demands careful reading due to its versatility. In this aspect, only Pudhumaipithan can be regarded his equal. This depth in his writing was also the reason for the profound effect his writing had on the next generation.

Journalism

  • Sujatha was the editor of the Kumudam magazine for three years.
  • He was the editor of the online journals Minnambalam and Ambalam.

Filmography

The first novel of Sujatha's to be made into a film was Gayatri (1977). Then he started writing dialogues for movies. The first film for which he wrote dialogue was Ninaithale Inikkum (1979). Sujatha worked as a writer in thirty films.

Sujatha joined hands with the entrepreneur, 'Pentafour' Chandrasekaran and founded Media Dreams, a film production company. Media Dreams produced Bharathi (2000), Nila Kaalam (2001), Little John (2001), Pandavar Bhoomi (2001) amongst other films.

Controversies

In 1980, Sujatha started writing a novel, Sivappu Karuppu Veluppu in Kumudam. Violent protests erupted, claiming that the story insulted the Nadar community, forcing Sujatha to apologize. Kumudam stopped publishing the novel. Later, he wrote the novel under the name Ratham Ore Niram without any caste references.

Awards

  • In 1993, he received an award from Government of India's National Council for Science and Technology for making science accessible to the public
  • VASVIK Award for his efforts in creating the Electronic Voting Machine.
  • The Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Sujatha has not won any literary awards of note.

Death

Sujatha passed away on 27 February 2008 in Chennai. He was being treated for kidney failure for some years.

Memories

  • Uyirmmai Padhippagam presents the Sujatha Awards for Literature annually.
  • The Tamil writer, Ira. Murugan wrote a biography of Sujatha for the Sahitya Akademi

Literary Significance

Sujatha's literary significance originates primarily from the influence his style had on other Tamil writers. There were two styles that preceded him in the context of Tamil literature. In popular fiction, on the one hand, there was Kalki's simple prose, which spoke directly to the reader, and on the other, Chandilyan's ornate prose. In the modern literary context, Ashokamitran’s realistic writing, which narrated things as they were, and Sundara Ramaswamy’s witty and satirical prose where the two dominant styles. Sujatha’s writing, embellished with a plethora of external symbols was humourous and playful. This way of writing, which was steeped in the external world, suited the narration of modern life.

Sujatha’s vision resonated with the readers of the eighties. The political intensity that prevailed globally in the seventies dissipated during the eighties. The new generation, was apolitical and believed in science and technology. For a generation that had replaced the preoccupation with politics with its interest in science, Sujatha was a writer after their own heart.

The use of technology in mystery stories is what gave the tag of science fiction to Sujatha's works. Unlike the best science fiction writing in the world, they were neither based on scientific principles nor did they use the images of science to explore fundamental questions about life. However, they were important in that they pioneered the genre in Tamil.

“Amongst Sujatha’s short stories, the ones that portray the middle class life without fuss, have a literary quality. His plays too are literary works set in the aesthetic of realism,” says Jeyamohan.

Works

Novels

In alphabetical order.

  1. Apsara
  2. Anitha Ilam Manaivi , Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  3. Anithavin Kadhalgal
  4. Aa...!
  5. Aadhalinal Kadhal Seiveer
  6. Ayiraththil Iruvar
  7. Unnai Kanda Neramellam, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  8. Ethaiyum Oru Murai
  9. Eppothum Pen
  10. Endravathu Oru Nal
  11. Aerakkuraiya Sorkkam
  12. En Iniya Iyanthira
  13. Oruththi Ninaikayile
  14. Ou Naduppagal Maranam
  15. Odaathe!
  16. Ganesh X Vasanth
  17. Coumputare Oru Kathai Sollu, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  18. Computer Gramam
  19. Karaiyellam Shenpagapoo
  20. Kanavu thozhirchalai
  21. Kasalvail Or Ulagam, Vasagar Vattam, Chennai
  22. Kanthalloor VasanthaKumaran Kathai -
  23. Gayathri, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  24. Kolaiyudhirkalam
  25. Kolai Arangam
  26. Sila Vithiyasangal, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  27. Silvia
  28. September Bali
  29. Sorga Theevu, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  30. Thisai Kanden, Van Kanden
  31. Devan Varugai
  32. Nila Nizhal
  33. Nirvana Nagaram
  34. Nil Gavani Thakku
  35. Nillungal Rajave
  36. Nylon Kayiru, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  37. Padhavikkaga
  38. Pathinalu Natkal, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  39. Padhi Rajyam, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  40. Pirivom Santhipom (Book)
  41. Priya, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  42. Marupadiyum Ganesh, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  43. Pen Iyanthiram
  44. Pesum Bommaigal
  45. Maya, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  46. Meendum Jeeno
  47. Moondru Nimisham
  48. Megathai Thurathinavan
  49. Merke Oru Kutram
  50. Yavanika
  51. Ratham Ore Niram
  52. Vasanthakala Kutrangal
  53. Vannathupoochi Vettai
  54. Vasanth! Vasanth!
  55. Vaimaiye - Silasamaya - Vellum
  56. Vipareetha Kotpadu, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  57. Vairam
  58. Hostel Dinangal
  59. Jannal Malar
  60. J.K., Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  61. 24 Roobai Theevu
  62. 6961, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
Novellas
  • Theendum Inbam
  • Guru Prasathin Kadaisi Dinam
  • Aagayam
  • Kagitha Sangiligal
  • Manmagan
  • Mothamal Oru Nalum Irukka Vendam
Children’s Literature (Collection)
  • Pookutty
  • Short Story Collections
  • Thoondil Kathaigal
  • Nagaram, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  • Nijathai Thedi
  • Vanamennum Veethiyile, Kumari Publications, Nagapattinam - 611001
  • Srirangathu Devathaigal
  • Nilam Neer Neruppu Katru Aagayam
Poetry
  • Nylon Rathangal
Plays
  • Doctor. Narenthiranathin Vinoda Vazhakku
  • Kadavul Vanthirunthar
  • Bharati Iruntha Veedu
  • Aagayam
Non-Fiction
  • Kaniyazhiyin Kadaisi Pakkangal
  • Katrathum Petrathum [Parts 1,2,3,4]
  • Kadavul Irukkirara?
  • Thalaimai Cheyalagam
  • Ezhuthum Vazhkaiyum
  • Ean? Etharku? Eppadi?
  • Suthathoughts
  • Innum Sila Sinthanaigal
  • Thamizh Andrum Indrum
  • Uyirin Ragasiyam
  • Nanotechnology
  • Kadavukgalin Pallathakku
  • Genome
  • Thiraikkathai Ezhuthvathu Eppadi
  • Thamizh Andrum Indrum, Uyirmmai Pathippagam, Chennai.
Films

As Writer

Story
  • Gaayathri (1977)
  • Priya (1978)
  • Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo (1981)
  • Poi Mugangal (1986)
  • Vikram (1986)
  • Ananda Thandavam (2009)
Dialogue
  • Ninaithale Inikkum (1979)
  • Roja (1992)
  • Thiruda Thiruda (1993)
  • Indian (1996)
  • Uyire (1998)
  • Kannedhirey Thondrinal (1998) [citation needed]
  • Mudhalvan (1999)
  • Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000)
  • Nila Kaalam (2001)
  • Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
  • Whistle (2003)
  • Boys (2003)
  • Chellame (2004)
  • Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004)
  • Kangalal Kaidhu Sei (2004)
  • Udhaya (2004)
  • Ullam Ketkumae (2005) [citation needed]
  • Anniyan (2005)
  • Sivaji (2007)
  • Enthiran (2010)
As Producer
  • Bharathi (2000)
  • Little John (2001)
  • Nila Kaalam (2001)
  • Pandavar Bhoomi (2001)

References

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