Keeranur Zakir Raja
இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: கீரனூர் ஜாகிர்ராஜா
Keeranur Zakir Raja (October 08, 1962) is a novelist and short story writer, whose writing is based on underprivileged Islamic lives. His writings are based on progressive aesthetics. He works closely with leftist organizations.
Birth, Education
He was born in Keeranur near Palani on October 08, 1962, to father Sathakathulla and mother Mehrunnisa Beevi. He spent his youth in Palani, Keeranur and Tirupur. He completed his primary education from Corporation Primary school, Palani, Thoppampatti Panchayat Union Islamic Boys Primary school in Keeranur and Corporation Primary school in Royapuram, Thirupur. He completed his high school from Keeranur Government High school.
Personal Life
Keeranur Zakir Raja married Salma Banu (alias) Raji on April 10, 1996. The couple have two children Ayisha Muthamil and Muhammad Bharathy. He is a full time writer who also took up jobs a publishing houses such as Bharathy Puthakanilayam.
Literary Life
Keeranur Zakir Raja’s first story was 'Param’, a short story, published in 1995 in Suntharasukan magazine published from Tanjore. His first short story collection was 'Sembaruthi Pootha Veedu published in 2004 by Ananya publishers. First novel Meenkara Theru was published by Marutha publishers in 2006. He considers Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Puthumaipithan, Ashokamithran and Nanjil Nadan as influencers of his literary creativity. Thanjai Prakash was also his direct inspiration. He has started his own publishing house called Keeranur Books in 2022.
Political Activities
- 1983 - One day fast in support of Srilankan Tamils on behalf of Youth of Postal and Telegram officer’s quarters.
- 1986 - He was arrested and remanded for 15 days in Salem central jail for a protest in support of Srilankan Tamils.
- In 1987 he released a handwritten copy of collection of poems titled 'Eelam Malarum’ on behalf of Keeranur(Palani) friends club
- Starting from 2007 till 2017 he participated in many protests taken up by Tamil Nadu progressive writers’ association.
- From 2007 he has allied with poet H. G. Rasool in fighting a war of ideas against fundamentalism and continues to fight fundamentalism.
Awards
- Canada Literary Circles award for fiction
- Lit for life award by The Hindu group
- Salem Tamil Sangam award
- Vikatan Award (twice 2010 & 2020)
- Uyirmai - Sujatha Trust awards
- Kalari Trust’s Ku. Alagirisami memorial award
- Thoppil Muhammathu Meeran memorial award by Tamil Muslim Thinnai
- State award by Tamil Nadu progressive writers’ association (twice)
- Prapanjan memorial award by Discovery Book Palace
- State award by Tamil Nadu Arts and literary Congregation
- Mrs. Soundra Kailasam Trust award
- Elathi Literary award
- Rotary Kings of Tanjore award for accomplished youth
- Tanjore Nerunji literary association’s award
- Tirupur Art and literary association’s award
- Trichy S.R.V. Matriculation school’s Tamil award
- Annam award by Chennai Ilakiya Veethi
- Honorary visiting literary personality in Tanjore Tamil University for a year (2020-2021)
Literary Significance
Keeranur Zakir Raja is a creator who writes about the life and culture of Muslims in Tamil literature. Usually only elite Muslim lives are written about in Tamil, he took up cause of underprivileged Muslims. His writings are social and religious criticisms expressed with sarcasm.
Books
Novels
- Meenkara Theru
- Karutha Lebbai
- Thuruky Thoppi (Turkey hat)
- Vadakemuri Alima
- Meenkugai vasigal
- Jinnah’s Diary
- Kuttychuvar Kalaignan
- Samanyarai patriya kuripugal (notes on common person)
- Nyayiru kadai undu (Sundays open)
- Itha
Short Story collections
- Sembaruthi pootha veedu
- Perunagara kuripugal
- Theipirai iravugalin kathaigal (Stories of a waning moon night)
- Komaru Kariyam (Matters of young girls)
- Bhasheerist
- Halal
Collection of Articles
- Kulathangarai Arasamaram mudhal Konangi varai
- Suyavimarsanam (Self Criticism)
- Katharasanai (Story appreciation)
- Kaalaththai vinchi nirkum kalai (Art that transcends time)
Collections
- Kafirkalin Kathaikal (Stories of Kafirs)
- 21-am nutrandu sirukathaikaL (Short stories of 21st century)
- Azhiyatha Kolangal
- Paalya Kalam
- Sirupanmai Samuga kathaikal (Stories from minorities - Islam)
- Thanjai Prakash Padaippulakam (Creative works of Thanjai Prakash)
- Kumarapuram railway stationil oru iravu (A night at Kumarapuram train station - collection of stories by Udhayashankar)
Interview collection
- Paatiyin kuralvalaiyai kapatri vaithirukkiren - interview with writer Konangi - Bharathy Puthakalayam
- Children’s literature (in Tamil and English)
- Sevalum Kaagamum (A Cock and crow)
- Nithiyavum jimmiyum
Links
- Keeranur Zahir Raja - Website
- Thuruky Thoppi Novel Review - Lakshmi Balakrishnan
- Article by S. Sathya
✅Finalised Page
