Tens of stage plays. Lots of film scripts. Hundreds of novels. More than 200 short stories. Thousands of articles. Millions of fans.
One author – Rangarajan alias Sujatha.
A man who needs no introduction to my Tamil friends – wherever they are. A man, even at the ripe old age of 72, can still write in a style and manner that endears him to a teenager. The generation of the 60s and 70s grew up reading his works. My generation – the 80s – grew up loving his writing. This current generation is growing up enamored with his brilliance. I can’t think of another author who can endear himself to more than three generation of fans and continue to be as prolific and as dazzling!
Who can forget his series, ‘Srirangathu Devathaigal’ – an astounding account of his school days in small town Srirangam in the 50s – where he grew up. Every story in it, every word in it brought to the reader their memories of childhood, about the glory days gone by. I am unashamed, the hell, even proud to say that I would have read that book a thousand times. And I would continue to read it every time I wish to go back to my teens!
Sujatha was also instrumental in developing the Electronic Voting Machine in the 80s. He has also been closely associated with some of the best names in the film industry - developing scripts for them or helping them develop one.
Now, why am I talking about Sujatha here – especially this being my first post in this blog?
The genius who breathed modernity and excitement into Tamil literature, an author par excellence who made me read his books with bated breath - breathed his last, late last night.
I feel like I lost a part of me.
The least I thought I could do, was to submit this piece as a mark of respect to the man who influenced me in more ways than one.
May his soul rest in peace.
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2 comments:
I just happened to go to your profile sometime and found this blog. Hats off for a beautiful expression of what you felt.I may not have read his books and regret for not having learnt to read and write Tamil but I am writing this on behalf of my Mom to whom I showed this. She was also deeply grieved because she was also an avid reader to Sujata's novels. May his soul rest in peace and I repeat I han it to you for this lovely piece
Sir, I went through your post.. a heartfelt expression. Just felt like sharing my experience.
I consider myself very lucky, for having had the opportunity of meeting this great legend.. Sujata, during the VASVIK industrial research awards. For me he is a man of immense technical knowledge.I still remember the day I proudly said 'Physics'when I was asked about my favorite subject. 6 yrs have gone by and I still have not figured out the answer for that question in astrophysics!! I should say he was an extremely charming personality, with eyes that sparkled even at that age! His demise is a great loss.. a vacuum that cannot be filled.
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