Uyirthen
இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: உயிர்த்தேன்
Uyirthen (1967) is a novel written by Thi. Janakiraman. The work echoes contemporary social events and presents women as the center of society. The novel talks about male-female relationship issues through the story of a single man's dream under the guidance of a woman, that changes an entire village.
Creation, Publication
Thi. Janakiraman is the author of some of the most popular Tamil novels like Mogamul, Marappasu, Amma Vandhaal etc. He was awarded the 'Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil' for his short story collection Sakthi Vaidhyam. In 1966, Thi. Janakiraman's Uyirthen was serialized in Ananda Vikatan magazine. The novel emphasized village management, social unity and women's leadership representative of that period through its story. The first edition was published by Ainthinai in March 1967. The second edition appeared in November 1972, the third edition in April 1976, the fourth edition in December 1986 and the fifth edition in April 1994.
Synopsis
Bhoovaragavan after making good living in Chennai, returns to his native Aarukatti in his middle age and moves to a new house with the help of his uncle's son Singu. While farming, he repairs the village temple in his father's memory. Palani, the village head who had been living in Bhoovaragavan's house till then, builds up unexplained resistance and anger.
Karvar Ganesapillai and his wife Sengamma help him look after his fields and household chores. Bhoovaragavan sees Sengamma as a goddess and as an angel, with a beauty that amazes the whole town, and is in awe of her ability to cook a wedding feast on her own.
The villagers do not lend any help to Bhoovaragavan in repairing the temple. They are spineless and lying on each other with suspicion and laziness. In order to unite the village before the completion of the temple work, Bhoovaragavan also takes responsibility for the collective farming of the village according to Sengamma's idea. The fields yield a golden harvest and the village is united. He appoints Sengamma as the village leader. He engages Amaruvi, an excellent sculptor and a close friend, to work on the temple. Even though the village is united now, Palani keeps away from Sengamma with hatred and refuses to hand over the village public money. Amaruvi doubts whether Palani is really in love with Sengamma.
Bhoovaragavan's friend Anusuya, who closely resembles Sengamma, also comes to participate in the auspicious opening of the temple (Kudamuzhukku). Both Bhoovaragavan and Anusuya recognize their feelings for each other. Palani's rejection of Sengamma is very striking for her. Sengamma who goes to meet with Palani with the intent to get back village public money, feels that he is hopelessly in love with her. Reminding him that she is married, she also makes her intentions known. Palani also makes his love known through an emphatic act and gives the village public money back. He leaves the town without attending the opening of temple and never comes back.
Important Characters
- Bhoovaragavan - The hero of the story, wealthy, loving husband, father, practices Vaishnavam.
- Renganayaki - Bhoovaragavan's wife
- Singu - Bhoovaragavan Uncle's son
- Lakshmi - Singu's Wife
- Varadhan - The guru of Bhoovaragavan and the ladies
- Ganesa Pillai - The Accountant, who oversees the farm
- Sengamma - Ganesa Pillai's wife, Extra ordinarily beautiful, Loving, Compassionate
- Anusuya - A resemblance of Sengamma, a free sole
- Palani - The old head of the village who expresses lot of hatred without any reason
- Amaruvi - A talented Sculptor and a close friend of Bhoovaragavan
- Thirunavukkarasu, Iyaarappan, Aathimoolam - Some of the landlords of the village
Literary Assessment
This is the novel that is most concerned and closer to contemporary issues and social observation among Thi. Jha's novels. Ambition of individuals becomes that of society. However, Uyirthen, is not a literary grade novel. Although there are some beautiful moments, this can be only be considered as a finer popular novel.
Thi. Jha's words on the preface which gives a glimpse of the novel,
'Seelamum Buthiyum Dharmamum Kaatinan
Sorana Thevinin Sevvadi Poliga
Gnalamum Anbum Ondrena Kanda Em
Sunthathira Piraiyin Sennagai Poliga
And that is what he is saying through Uyirthen- 'Knowledge and love are one'.
Writer Vannadasan, in a letter to Ellorkum Anbudan, an anthology of his letters, mentioned that his favorite among Thi. Janakiraman's books was Uyirthen, not Amma Vandaal or Marapasu, and that Anusuya's character influenced him the most.
"The topography, social structure and caste problems of Arukatti town are not told with literary sophistication and sharpness. There are only superficial images which is particular to commercial and entertainment writing" mentions writer Jeyamohan.
References
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