The Short Story occupies a very important place in modern Tamil literature. This lesson traces the origin and growth of the short story, particularly in Tamil literature. It also lists some of the most important Tamil short story writers.

    The art of story-telling dates back to very ancient times. In days of yore stories were handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. In a typical Tamil household, until recently, children grew up listening to the stories narrated by their grandmothers. After the written word replaced the oral tradition, stories in Tamil were written as “Periya Ezhuthu Kathaigal.” “Alli Arasani Kathai”, “Veera Abimanyu”, “Mayil Ravanan Kathai” and “Harichandran Kathai” are some of these stories.

    In the west the short story flourished in countries such as America, France and Russia. The impact of western education played a major role in bringing the short story to Tamil literature.

    The first collection of short stories to be published in Tamil after the advent of printing was “Paramartha Guruvin Kathai” written by Veeramamunivar. Popular Telugu and Kannada stories such as “Thenali Raman Kathai” and Mariathai Raman Kathai” were also published in Tamil.

    The period 1900-1925 : A. Madhavaiah, Bharathiyar and Va. Ve. Su. Iyer are hailed as the forerunners of the Tamil short story. In the beginning of the 20th century attempts were made to write stories along the lines of the western short story tradition. A. Madhavaiah’s “Kusikar Kutti Kathaigal” were first written in English and then translated into Tamil. His stories focused on issues of child marriage and widowhood. Though Barathiyar wrote a number of short stories they lacked the vitality of the form. In 1912 Va. Ve. Su. Iyer published an anthology of 5 stories called “Mangaiyarkarasiyin Kathal Muthaliya Kathaigal.” Of these 5 stories “Kulathangarai Arasamaram”, which dealt with the problem of dowry, is considered by several critics as the first Tamil short story. T.G. Rangarajan is another important writer of this period.

    The period 1926-1945: This age is considered to be the golden age of short stories in Tamil literature. Pudhumaipithan, Ku.Pa.Ra, Na. Pichamurthy, B.S. Ramaiah, Mouni, Kalki and Rajaji are some of the noted short story writers of this period. Kalki’s short stories suited popular magazines. Pudhumaipithan’s stories were experimental and original. Widely read, he used his knowledge of the western short story tradition to create some of the finest short stories in Tamil. Na. Pichamurthy’ stories explored the depth of the human psyche. Mouni’s stories are unique in their use of symbolism. L.S. Ramamirtham stood apart from the others through his style, especially his use of words with an incantatory effect.

    The period 1946-1970: T. Janakiraman, Karichan Kunju, M.V.Venkatraman, Vinthan, Ku. Azhagirisamy, Akilan, Na. Parthasarathy, Anna, M. Karunanithi, M. Varatharajan and Jayakanthan made significant contributions during this period. Akilan and Na. Parthasarathy’s stories are very traditional in style. Anna and M. Karunanithi who belonged to the Dravidian movement wrote stories that were rationalistic in spirit. Jayakanthan’s works enriched not only the style but also the content of Tamil short stories.

    1976 onwards: S. Kandasamy, Ashokamithran, Indra Parthasarathy, Neela Padmanaban, Vannanilavan, Vannadasan, Pirapanchan, Sujatha, Jayakanthan, Balakumaran and Jayamohan are some of the established short story writers of this period. The modern Tamil short story underwent great changes in form, style and content in the hands of these writers. Today the internet has brought together Tamil short story writers living all over the world. This augurs well for the growth of Tamil short stories in new directions. From the beginning Women writers also made their contributions to the growth of the Tamil short story. K. P. Sethu Ammal, V.M. Kothainayaki Ammal ,Saraswathi Ammal, Anuthama, Choodamani Raghavan, and Rajam Krishnan are some well known writers of the early period. From the 1960’s Vaasanthi, Indhumathi, Sivasankari, Anuradha Ramanan and Jothirlathagirija wrote several stories. Under the impact of women’s education and the feminist movement, the focus of women writers today has shifted from the familiar themes of love, marriage and family to women’s freedom, dual responsibility and female sexuality. Ambai, Sivakami, Thilakavathy, Bama and Uma Maheswari are some of the noted women writers of today. Tamil Literary journals and magazines played a major role in the growth of the Tamil short story. In the 1930’s Kalaimagal, Anantha Vikatan and Manikodi encouraged short story writers by instituting several awards and prizes. Of these Manikodi shaped and nurtured the talents of several writers. Kanaiyazhi, Yatra, and Kasadathapara are some of the important journals of the 1960’s. At present journals like Kaalachuvadu, Snegithi, Aval Vikatan, Nikazh, Kunkumam and Pudhia Paarvai are worth mentioning. Short story competitions conducted by several journals and efforts to compile short stories into anthologies have also boosted the growth of short stories in Tamil literature. Writers from Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore have also contributed to the growth of short stories in Tamil.