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This lesson discusses the prose of R.P. Sethupillai and his invaluable contributions to Tamil literature. A stalwart in Tamil Prose, R.P. Sethupillai was born in 1896 in Rasavallipuram in Tirunelveli district. He began his career as a lecturer in Pachaippas College, the Chennai. Later, he studied law and established himself as a lawyer in 1923. However, his deep love for the Tamil language drew him to the Department of Tamil in Annamalai University. In 1936, the University of Madras appointed him as a Tamil Professor. It was from here that he began his distinguished literary career.

R.P. Sethupillai made significant contributions to the growth of Tamil prose. He has authored more than 20 prose books. He won the prestigious Sahitya Academy award for his book ‘Tamizhinbam’. ‘Tamizhagam - Oorum Perum’ is one of his most popular books. He was hailed as ‘Solin Selvar’ and ‘Senthamizhukku Sethupillai’ on account of his unique prose style.

Sethupillai’s prose is noted for its intense poetic beauty. His prose style is characterized by a striking use of rhyme and alliteration i.e., (ethugai & monai). His skillful use of poetic refrains i.e., (iyaybu) lends verbal melody and charm to his prose. He is adept at deploying the most appropriate metaphors and similes i.e., (uvamaigal) to convey his ideas. Arresting oxymorons and paradox i.e., (muran) are a part of his literary techniques. He often alludes to renowned works from classical Tamil literature to illustrate his ideas. This accounts for the richness and magnificence of his prose.

R.P. Sethupillai’s works had a major impact on Tamil prose. His vivid descriptions, lucid style and interesting accounts of the history and etymology behind the names of Tamil towns and cities are regarded as his chief contributions to Tamil prose. Another striking aspect of his prose is that one hardly finds the use of English or Sanskrit words in it.