Lankan contemporary Thamil Literature has it own individual identity different from what is produced elsewhere. Certainly, it is not an adjunct in the overall Thamil Literature produced in Thamilaham or Thamilnadu. The literary journals locally published are standing evidence for its authenticity. It all began in the mini cultural revolution in late 1950s and reached its peak in the 1970s. The process continues without any need to establish the fact. The late academics like K Kailasapathi, K Sivathamby, and HMP Mohideen were in the forefront in formulating this perception. The pattern of indigenous culture ad living had their own individuality although common practices in India and Lanka were there.
There were many literary magazines that are now defunct due to financial difficulties, especially Mallikai edited by indefatigable Dominc Jeeva in his 90s now, but yet some creative writing and critical articles were included in these journals.
Currently, there are monthly, quarterly, and periodically published journals are in circulation coming from various parts in the island- Colombo, Yaalpaanam, Maddakkalappu, Kalmunai, Anuadhapura, and other places. To mention the names of some of the literary journals, we have Gnanam, Jeevanathi, Makudam, Padigal, Kalai Mugam, Kalaik Kesari, Poongavanam, Thayaka Oli, Maruka and others to read what the Lankan Thamil-speaking writers are saying in their writing.
Apart from these journals, the Sunday editions of Thinakkural, Thinakaran VaaraManjari and Sudar Oli and Virakeari carry lot of literary materials for the discerning reader.
Jeevanathi in its June & July, 2018 issues published almost research-like articles and creative writing that are of high quality. This journal is edited by young Psychology majored graduate from the University of Jaffna (Yaalpaanam). Taking the articles only for consideration the following among many are Illuminating:
01.The role of the cremators in fiction – Ee.Su. Muralitharan
02.The Change in Form in Literature and Politics – Dr N Ravindren
03.Little Magazines- Sellathurai Sutharsan
04.Not Unnamed Stars but Shooting Stars-N. Navaraj
05. Mu.Tha and his short stories-K Saddanathan
06 Simon Cassie Chetty’s Contributions towards research in Thamil in Lanka- Susman
There were other serious articles, book reviews and columns in these two issues.
The short stories and poems, I haven’t read yet because I am generally disappointed in the way they are written by Lankan Thamil writers. But what is there in these two issues may be worth reading. I must try to appreciate them.
Kekirawa Sulaiha has translated into Thamil ‘The Happy Prince’ by Oscar Wilde. Dr.M. K Muruganandam recommends a Sinhala Novel, “Siddhartha Yasodhara” by Soma Jayakody now available in Thamil translation. The translation is by Sarojini Arunasalam. A novel by Singes Jathmaatha, a Russian writer is recommended by Su. Thavachelvan. A collection of short stories by Canadian Thamil writer, K. Navam is reviewed by Prasannaraj.
L. Murugapoopathy remembers Canadian Thamil writer N K Raghunathan929-2018Sokallo Shamugam, another Canadian Thamil artiste’s contributions is remembered by See Ramesh. All these Canadian Thamil writers emigrated from Lanka.
A. Yesurasa, a senior writer and critic in his 4th installment on neighbouring writing, gives his views on Sunethra Raja Karunanayake’s novella, translated by Rishan Sherrif, two poetry collections of Vivekanansdanor Satheesh is reviewed by Achunan. A Sc-fiction by A F Sanpura is also noticed in an article.
Manathirai is a column of biographical reminiscences has appeared in these two issues.
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