In the Sri Lankan Tamil literary world, Se. Ganesalingan is an important figure, more so in the world of literature by refugees. He is based in Chennai since 1983, the year when the ethnic problem burst out in the island nation.
He is 81, and he has about same number of books authored by him to his credit. “What more I want, I am more than contended,” the Marxist-literary writer-author said, talking the Asian Tribune this afternoon. The octogenarian has not still hung down his pen.
As novels so far Ganesalingan has authored fifty, the 50th being "Inbathin Yellai". His 40th novel Thenparippor, has been translated into English, titled Bitter Honey. About 35 literary books plus, the grand total of his works is 85. Yes it is a big achievement.
Also he has published about 200 books of Sri Lankan Tamil writers, through his Kumaran Book House, managed by his son in Colombo and Kumaran Publishers by him here in Chennai. The books are printed here and there.
Ganesalingan says every year he has been writing minimum of two books, of which one will be written while holidaying at Kodaikkanal in May, like Mu.Va did his works in Coonoor and Bangalore. He says he is a fast writer; like Jaffery Archer he is an old timer comfortable with pen.
His novel “Neenda Payanam” on the progressive idea of looking into the caste system of Jaffna was well received. It is prescribed as text book for Advanced Level (AL) this year in Sri Lanka.
Leftist-Marxian philosophy
When Sri Lanka witnessed momentous political events through the 1970s and 1980s and the island nation also saw several developments on the Tamil literary scene during the period, Ganesalingan brought out a Tamil journal Kumaran, published and edited by him, launched in 1971. But it folded up in 1983 when the Sri Lankan ethnic crisis struck. By which time 77 issues rolled out.
Kumaran, noted for its effective articulation of the Leftist-Marxian philosophy, carved out a niche for itself on the Sri Lankan art and cultural scene. He compiled selected content from the noted journal during the 12-year-period of its existence, titled Kumaran Thoguppu, running to 960 pages.
It contains the works of the essayists T.S. Rajamani and K. Govindan, the poets Puduvai Rathinadurai and Charumathi and the writer Y. Benedict Balan. Mr. Ganesalingan's works form a major part of the collection.
Many of the works depict the impact of Marxian arguments on many facets of life. They also bring out contradictions in the very capitalist order.
They cover a wide canvas including events involving Kachatheevu, Vietnam and Chile. Brought out by Kumaran Publishers of Chennai, Kumaran Thoguppu will serve as a definitive guide to certain historical events that took place in the 1970s and the early 1980s.
He is influenced by the writings of Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser and Theodor Adorno.
Mr. Ganaesalingan's books include short story collections, a comparative study of the Thirukkural with Arthasastra, Machiavelli's The Prince and the Bhagavad Gita, and on feminism. Ganesalingan, born in Umpirai, had his early education at Parameswara College, Jaffna, which later was incorporated with the Jaffna University. He is the second son of five children of a poor farmer.
Hunt for old books
Talking about the burning down of the Jaffna library, he feels very much. “I used to frequent very often to the library. One Manikavasagam was the librarian. The Tamil treasure, I thought I would devour as much as I could. It was totally gone.” He used to walk 5 kms from his village to the library to read books, he said.
Like the hunt for old scripts by the Va Vu Saminatha Iyer in Tamil Nadu, he wants somebody go in search of old books still in the households of Tamils in the northern region of Sri Lanka, once they settle in their homes. Ganesalingan believes some rare books could be dug out from the attic or from personal library of people of old generation. His son already reprinted some old books that came to his notice.
Ganesalingan is associated with The Hindu, still spending half a day in the office daily. His association with Mr. N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, he feels a great gift and strength, but for that the many achievements he had made here would have been simply impossible. He is a reviewer of books for the paper.
For about 20 students have done thesis work on Ganesalingan’s books so far, one from Thanjavur Tamil University has done his Ph.d on his books, and another from SRM university is presently researching his writing for his doctorate.
Maranathin Nizhalile, Erandavutdh Jathik, Oru Pennin Kathai, Suriyan Kizhakile Uthipathillai, Poorkolam, Chevvanam, Kudumbfa Chiraiyil, Thaiyin Kureal, Selvi, Oru Vithaivain Kathai, Mannum Makkalum, adaippugal, Ilatchiya Kanavugal, Vanmurai vadukkal, Vilangila adimaigal are some of titles of his novels, to name a few.
- Asian Tribune -
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