Lesson - 2 : P10142

The Novels of Rajam Krishanan

Rajam Krishnan occupies an important place among Tamil women novelists. Her intense social consciousness, evident in her novels, has endeared her to laymen and intellectuals alike. This lesson will teach you all about Rajam Krishnan's outlook on society, her characterization and style.

    Like ki. Rajanarayanan Rajam Krishnan is one of the senior Tamil Women novelists living today. She was born in the year 1925 to Yajna Narayanan and Meenakshi. Her husband was an engineer employed in the Electricity Board. His official transfers to Ooty. Kundha and Goa, enable Rajam Krishnan to observe life in different places and at different levels.

    Rajam Krishnan's first novel, Sudanthira Jothi was published in 1948. Since then she has written more than 40 novels. In addition, she has also written travelogues, radio plays, biographies, short stories, translations and children's literature. She has won the following awards:

    - Kalaimagal Parisu in 1953 for her Penkural
    - Vikatan Paricu in 1958 for her Malarkal
    - Sahitya Akademi award in 1973 for her Verukku neer,
    - Soviet Nadu Nehru Parisu in 1975 for her Valaikkaram
    - Ilakkia Cinthanai Viruthu in 1980 for her Karippumanikal
    - Ilakkia Cinthanai Viruthu in 1983 for her Settil Manitharkal and
    - Tamil Valarchi Kazhaka Paricu in the year 1989
    for her Suzhalil Mithakkum Deepam.

    Although Rajam Krishnan has written short stories, biographies, radio plays, translations and so on, she has carved a niche for herself in Tamil literature, only as an outstanding social novelist. She selects the nucleus of her novel, collects research data, plans every detail and then starts writing. This is her speciality. Her novels deal with social problems such as gender discrimination, sex violence, child labour, child abuse, female infanticide and male chauvinism.

    Rajam Krishnan believed that, in today's stressful world, a novel should instill positive thinking and self-confidence among readers. She also felt that women should be given equal importance in society; only then will they be able to contribute their share towards its well-being.

    This lesson tells you all about Rajam Krishnan's novels and their place in Tamil literature.