Lesson - 4

p10134 Novels of Kalki

    This lesson talks about the novel Thiyagaboomi written by Kalki. The various aspects of this novel Thiyagaboomi are discussed. Thiyagaboomi appeared as a serial of twenty parts in Aananda Vikatan. Kalvanin Kaadhali. Magudapathi and Sudhandhiram are other novels that focus on social issues.

    The main characters of the novel are Sridharan, Savithri, Sambu Shastri and Charumathy. Minor characters in the novel are Mangalam, Rajaram Iyer and Nallaan. Kalki was a freedom fighter who lived during the Gandhian era. Kalki brought out Gandhian thoughts through the characters in his novels. Gandhiji advocated that untouchability should be abolished.

    Kalki also talks about total prohibition, women's freedom and the independence movement in his novels. The novel Thiyagaboomi is based on the salt Satyagraha movement in TamilNadu. The character Sambu Shastri went to villages and preached about the Satyagraha movement to the villagers. People who heard Sambu Shastri's speech were influenced by it and were ready to participate in the freedom struggle.

    Different techniques have been used by Kalki in writing this novel. One is flash forward - this technique describes what will happen later in the beginning itself. Kalki was well versed in using this technique. Kalki has divided the novel Thiyagaboomi into four different parts and when starting each part, a line from a song is given. The end of a novel is as important as the beginning of a novel. Kalki has ended the novel with the song "Vaishnava Janatho".

    A good author is identified by his style of writing. He has used humour in the novel to a great extent. Kalki also excels in descriptions not only of nature but also of the feelings of the characters. Another important characteristic is dialogue. The feelings of a character can be understood by the way the character communicates.

    From this lesson we gain an insight to the novel Thiyagaboomi written by Kalki. Thiyagaboomi appeared as a serial of twenty parts in Aananda Vikatan and was a novel that focused on social issues. This novel also emphasized Gandhian principles and they are discussed in the course of the novel.