Ku. Azhagirisamy
இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: கு. அழகிரிசாமி
Ku. Azhagirisamy (23 September 1923 – 5 July 1970) was a Tamil writer. He is known for his excellence in short stories. He is also known for being a publisher, research scholar of music and folklore.
Birth & Education
Ku. Azhagirisamy was born as the first son to Gurusamy and Thayammal in the outskirts of Tirunelveli (Idaicheval near Kovilpatti) on 23 September 1923. He belongs to the Telugu speaking Goldsmith community. Tamil literary icon Ki. Rajanarayanan and Ku. Azhagirisamy lived in the same street of Idaiseval. Both were friends from their adolescence (Idaicheval is the only village in Tamil Nadu which has the privilege to have two Sahithya Akademi awardees).
Azhagirisamy’s family did not have a practice of sending kids to school. They were sent to train in the relevant profession at a young age. But, when Azhagirisamy was a toddler, he met with an accident when he was playing on cartwheel and the cartwheel fell on his hand. Since the hand was not mended well he was considered unfit for the family profession. He was sent to school. He completed his high school with a wide variety of help received all through the years. He is the only one to finish high school in Idaicheval at his time.
Personal Life
Ku. Azhagirisamy joined as an elementary school teacher in the government aided Panchayat Board in the suburbs of Kovilpatti. He then got another job offer to join as writer in sub-registrar office. The job offered 35 Indian rupees and it was highly sought after job at that time. But he couldn’t focus on the job, rather while on the job he was writing stories. Ananthabodhini’s editor-in-chief Narana Duraikannan asked him to come to Chennai. Azhagirisamy went to Chennai to take up the job offered, but could not survive on the meager income from writng. He went back to Kovilpatti and continued writer's job in the Sub-Registrar office. But he could not focus on the job. He resigned the job again and joined Anandha Bodhini back in Chennai.
In 1952, he assumed the role of editor-in-chief for Thamizh Nesan published from Malaysia. While he was staging musical plays in Malaysia during 1955, he fell in love with Seethalakshmi who had deep interest in music and acting. She was the daughter of Harihara Iyer who is hailing from Thiruchendur and specializes in harmonium. Harihara Iyer migrated with family to Malaysia when Seethalakshmi was a toddler. After the demise of Harihara Iyer, Seethalakshmi stayed in Malaysia and continued to learn and contribute to music. In spite of all the challenges raised by relatives, she married Ku. Azhagirisamy in Pentong Sivasubramaniar temple.
Ku. Azhagirisamy returned to Tamil Nadu in 1957 with his wife and son. He continued as a translator in Gandhi Book Publishing society for 3 years. In 1960, he joined as co-editor in Navasakthi magazine. He then resigned the Navasakthi job in 1965 and worked as an independent writer until his demise in 1970.
Azhagirisamy had 4 kids, namely, Ramachandran, Radha, Sarangarajan and Bharathi. After the demise of Azhagirisamy, Seethalakshmi continued her education (she was discontinued from 6th standard) with her daughter, finished her exams and joined as an employee in Tamil Nadu Housing Board to provide for the education of her 4 kids. Azhagirisamy’s friend V. S. Subbiah was instrumental in getting the job for Seethalakshmi. Their elder son Ramachandran is a retired bank manager, elder daughter Radha is working in Information Technology, younger son Saranganathan is an audiographer and younger daughter Bharathi is a psychologist.
Life in Publishing
Azhagirisamy joined Anandhabodhini in 1944, quit for a couple months and then joined back. Until 1952 he worked as an Associate Editor in Anandha Bodhini, Prasanda Vikatan, Thamizh Mani and Sakthi magazines. During this period, in his letter to his friend Ki. Rajanarayanan, he mentions about not getting even 125 Indian Rupee as a salary in 8 years and that he had not become popular since he had not written anything that he loved to write. He went to Malaysia in 1952 to assume the job of Editor-In-Chief for Thamizh Nesan magazine, which rescued him from poverty.
He has enriched the Malaysian literary landscape during his period between 1952 and 1957. His editorial in 1957 emphasizing the rights of Malaysian Tamils irked the government and Thamizh Nesan management expelled him from the magazine.
Azhagirisamy came back to India in 1960 and joined as Associate Editor in Navasakthi magazine. Azhagirisamy then resigned from that post in 1965. He got into the job as editor-in-chief of Soviet Land magazine with the recommendation of Tho. Mu. Si. Raghunathan. Azhagirisamy was able to continue for only 3 months, during which he was bed ridden with sickness and passed away.
Work in Music
Ku. Azhagirsamy had interest in and practiced the traditional music. The famous nadaswaram artist Karukurichi Arunachalam had visited his place more often and Ku. Azhagirsamy was always there to enjoy the music. He was in touch with singer Vilathikulam Swamygal to hear him perform. His letters show his interest towards writing musical lyrics in Tamil and collecting rare songs. During his stay in Malaysia he has staged musical dramas such as Valli Bharatham, Mukkudarpallu written by Namachivaya Pulavar. Ku. Azhagirsamy has composed some of the songs of Tyagaraja, Bharathiyar and Kavimani. He also published Annamalai Reddiyar's Kavadi Chindu'.
Literary Life
Ku. Azhagirsamy's first story, Urakkam Kolluma was published in Anandha Bodhini in 1942. After he joined publishing, he wrote under many pseudonyms. His salient works are his short stories. He wrote serialized novels in Kalki, but they did not have the artistic characters of a novel.
Translations
In 1950, Ku. Azhagirsamy translated Maxim Gorky’s 'In America' (Amerikavile), 'Days with Lenin' (Leninudan Sila Naatkal) due to his deep interest in Russian literature. He then translated 'No War' (Yudham Vendam), 'If Enemy doesn’t surrender' (Virodhi Paniyavittal) by Maxim Gorky into Tamil during his period in Gandhi Book Publishing Society. He translated a many stories under the name of 'Stories from other countries'. He has translated books into Tamil such as Lawrence Banayan’s 'Akbar' and President Rajendra Prasad’s 'Indian Harmony'.
Work as Publisher
Azhagirisamy had an interest in publishing ancient minor literary works and traditional folklore. He has expressed this wish in his letters to Ki. Rajanarayanan. Sakthi Kariyalam has published his enriched work of Kavadi Chindu' written by Annamalai Reddiyar. Ku. Azhagirsamy published Kamba Ramayanam's five sections (Kandam) with his commentary. He has also mentioned to Ki. Rajanarayanan about integrating the works of under-represented poets such as Aandan Kavirayar.
Stage Plays
Ku. Azhagirsamy had continued interest in stage plays. He wrote the stage play Kavichakravarthi Kambar which was staged by V.S. Sahasranamam group.
Fictional Work
Sakthi Kariyalayam has published a book called Ku. Azhagirisamyin Kathaigal in 1952. He also wrote novels in magazines. After becoming a full time writer, his novels got released in Sudesa Mithiran and Kalki as series. Best of his short stories were written during the period of 1960 and 1965 in Navasakthi magazine. He remained friends with popular writers such as Tho. Mu. Si. Raghunathan, Puthumaipiththan, Jayakanthan and Vallikannan.
Letter Literature
Ku. Azhagirisamy and Ki. Rajanarayanan had a profound interest in T. K. Chidharambaranatha Mudaliar’s work. They followed his style of letters. It has a special mention in the world of Tamil Letter Literature. Ku. Azhagirisamy’s letters to Ki. Rajanarayanan and Sundara Ramaswamy (Itham Thandha Varigal) have been published as a collection.
Literature Work in Malaysia
The period between 1952 and 1957 is known as glorious periods of Malaysian Tamil Literature while Ku. Azhagirisamy was working in Thamizh Nesan. Before him there were elementary level or political works written. He published modern poems in Thamizh Nesan. Identified budding writers and introduced and encouraged them. Conducted monthly literary meet-ups between writers and readers. Writers such as Kamalanathan, Durairaj have followed his footprints in Malaysia.
Malaysia realized the depth Ku. Azhagirisamy's contributions only after he had left Malaysia. In 1983, his collection of stories was published as Ku. Azhagirisamy Kathaigal' in Malaysia. Malaysian minister Datho Samynathan presided over the major book release event and Ku. Azhagirisamy’s wife Seethalakshmi released the first copy. Both of his stage plays were included in the Malaysian educational curriculum. Ku. Azhagirisamy is considered to be the pioneer of Malaysian literature.
Awards
He was awarded Sahithya Akademi posthumously in 1970 for his short story collection titled Anbalippu.
Death
He died due to spinal cancer on 5th July 1970.
Memories & Biography
- Ku. Azhagirisamy – Veli Rangarajan (Inthia Ilakkiya Sirpigal Varisai)
- Ku. Azhagirisamy – Ninaivodai (Sundara Ramsamy)
Collector's edition
Pazha. Athiyaman has published the complete collection of Ku. Azhagirisamy's stories for Kalachuvadu publication.
Literary Significance
Ku. Azhagirisamy is remembered for his excellence in writing short stories. Critics suggest that Ku. Azhagirsamy is the next to Pudhumaipithan naturalistic writing. His stories are direct, transparent and progressively handled through simple conversations. He did not experiment with techniques in his writings. His stories were straight rather than metaphorically articulated. Most of his stories told the life as it is and may be missing the format of a short story. In his best stories naturally embody Philanthropy and empathy. He touches the depth of complexities in relationships. They are considered as masterpieces in modern Tamil Literature.
"Ku. Alagirisamy is matchless in contemporary short story writing in characterization, sense of humor, and his excellence in illustrating underlying human conditions from reality" says K. Sivathambi.
"Even though there is merit in considering Ku. Alagirisamy as belonging to the lineage of Pudhumaipithan he belongs to Ku.Pa.Ra's lineage. A definitive heir to Ku.Pa.Ra. Ku. Alagirisamy did not consider human nature as an aberration like Pudhumaipithan rather he found more flaws in the systems. Ku. Alagirisamy was excited how even amidst hardships of life people retain honorable characteristics. Ku. Alagirisamy, just like Ku.Pa. Rajagopalan, followed simplicity of text, softer narration and was conscious a conscious short story writer." evaluates Sundara Ramaswamy, renowned Tamil writer and critic.
Books
Novels
- Doctor Anuradha
- Theeradha Vilaiyattu
- Puthu Veedu Puthu Ulagam
- Vaazhkai Pathai
- Siruvar Ilakkiyam
- Moonru Pillaigal
- Kaalivaram
Translations
- Dharma ratchakan (1950) (Gustav Plaughbert Novel Julius)
- Maxim Gorky’s books
- Leninudan Sila Naatkal
- Amerikavile
- Yutham Vendum
- Virothi
- Paniyaavittal
- Palanaatu Sirukathaigal (1962, Thamizh Puthagalayam)
Stage Plays
- Vanja Magal
- Kavi Chakravarthy
Short Story Collection
- Anbalippu
- Sirikkavillai
- Thavappayan
- Varaprasadam
- Kaviyum Kathalum
- Sevisaaykka Oruvan
- Puthiya Roja
- Thuravu
Non-Fiction
- Ilakkiya then
- Thamizh Thandha Kaviyinbam
- Thamizh Thandha Kavichelvam
- Naan Kanda Ezhuthalargal
Letter Literature
- Ku. Azhagirisamiyin Kadithangal
- Itham Thandha Varigal
References
- Works of Ku. Azhagirisamy, Solvanam
- Ku. Azhagirisamy, Muthukal pathu, an article in Tamil Hindu
- Thirumoolar of Tamil short stories, Tamizhini
- Azhagirisamy's Raja, Writer Jeyamohan
- Seethalakshmi's present to Ku. Azhagirisamy, Tamil Hindu
- Ku. Azhagirisamy Charu Nivedita
- Ku. Azhagirisamy in Malaya - Balabhaskaran
- Ku. Azhagirisamy, Veli Rangarajan
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