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LESSON - 5
P10215 - The Prose of Maraimalaiyadigalar
Maraimalaiyadigalar brought about an important turning point in the history of Tamil prose. This lesson discusses the salient features of Adigalar’s prose. Born in 1876 in Nagapattinam, Adigalar began his career as a Professor of Tamil at the Madras Christian College. He was famous among his students for his interesting and informative lectures rendered in a simple language laced with humour and examples from everyday life. These were later to become the hallmarks of his celebrated prose style.
He started his career by contributing essays for various literary journals. Soon he grew into a writer par excellence and an eminent publisher, championing the cause of the Tamil language. He is remembered even today for his valuable contributions in the field of prose, poetry, drama, fiction, and research. His research articles and books pertaining to Tamil history, sociology, literature and philosophy testify to his vast knowledge and eclectic interests. In 1916 he launched the ‘Tani Tamil Iyakkam’, a movement to preserve the purity of the Tamil language. Following this, he strove to write in chaste Tamil, taking great care to avoid using words from other languages in his works.
‘Arivurai Kothu’, ‘Velalar Nagarigam’, ‘Siruvarkkana Sentamil’, ‘Makkal Nurandu Uyirvazhkkai’ and ‘Kokilambal Kadithangal’ are some of Adigalar’s prose works discussed in this lesson. In ‘Arivurai Kothu’ he pleads passionately for the cause of Women’s education. ‘Velalar Nagarigam’ speaks of farmers and their benevolence. Health and longevity are the themes of ‘Makkal Nurandu Uyirvazhkkai.’ ‘Kokilambal Kadithangal’ is an epistolary novel. The protagonist Kokilambal is an ideal woman who is learned, virtuous and compassionate. Purity of style, vivid descriptions, subtlety, and sweetness are the salient features of Adigalar’s prose style.