February - 1999  

Zero Degree Charu Nivedita Zero Degree is a book which defies description. It is not a novel in the traditional sense. " Letter is trying to write letter with the help of letter " says the author. You will come across mysterious symbols, poems, lengthy English passages etc. The author blames one Muniyandi whose novel with missing pages has been translated by one Misra and arranged topsy turvy ! In the ultimate analysis, what remains is a gory portrayal of brutal forms of torture and a detailed description of uninhibited sex. As a consolation, one can enjoy some good poems in the end.

 

Visaaranai Commission  Sa. «ð£†«ì£andasamy Annam Pathippagam  This book was awarded Sahitya Academy Award for 1998. Written in the context of Emergency in India, this novel portrays the life of a bus conductor ( Thangarasu ) , his teacher wife ( Rukmani ) and their pet dog Tiger. Thangarasu dies in the hands of Police for no fault of his and the Collector promises an Enquiry Commission but the offer was promptly rejected by the agitated transport workers. The narration of the story is natural and the settings are ideal. Insertion of details of temples like Vaitheeswaran «ð£†«ì£oil and Rameswaram in between, adds to the charm of the novel.

 

Manasey relax please !  Swami Sugabodhananda Ananda Vikatan Publication This book has earned the unique distinction of the highest number of copies sold in one year - the figure has touched one lakh so far ! Though the book was written by a Swamiji, it is written in a racy style punctuated by a number of anecdotes and short stories culled out from Zen Buddhism, Mulla Nazruddin and others. This is a book on self improvement but the author has touched upon every aspect of human life including matrimonial harmony and hence it will be useful to all.

 

Thirupugazh - Virivurai Kripananda variaar Guhasri Variar Pathippagam Whatever «ð£†«ì£ripananda Variaar spoke on Thirupugazh during his discourses, was listened to with rapt attention by thousands of people . It is an accepted fact, that none could excel Variaar in his interpretations of Thirupugazh. This book has 46 poems with  elaborate meanings, summary and useful cross references to other religious texts. One can see the stamp of originality, erudition and deep «ð£†«ì£nowledge of Variaar in this book. A fitting tribute to the memory of Variaar.

 

Neelambari (Poems) Kavignar «ð£†«ì£i.Sankaranarayanan Sivaranjani Pathippagam  This is a lovely collection of poems written on a number of subjects of topical importance. The poet defines " chastity " for men. The best part of this book is the presentation of excellent poems written in various ragas which can be sung in any musical gathering. His modern Thirukkural is thought provoking. He has tried his hand in Haikkoo also. The fact that he is a senior officer in the State Bank India is incidental and the Muse in him lends glory to the post he is holding.

 

Onbadhu rupaai nottu  Thangar Bachan Sembulam Publications From the celluloid world to the literary world is a distant dream for anyone but not for Thangar Bachan. Everyone «ð£†«ì£nows him as the famous cinecamera giant of the Tamil film world. His ability to write a novel in a gripping manner has to be seen to be believed. The narration of the story of Madhavar, an innocent villager is fascinating. Words used by the villagers in South Arcot District are used freely in this book with telling effect. The friendship between Madhavar and Haja Bhai is a model for Hindu- Muslim amity.

 
 

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