Tharunizhal

Tharunizhal' is the first work by R. Sivakumar, who has gained significant attention amongst avid readers through his reliable Tamil translation of works from other languages. For most writers, the first novel is a retelling of their life experiences, especially the memories of the period in which their individual personalities took shape. This novel too is an attempt by the author to capture the personal and social experiences of his youth and look at them from today's perspective. While recounting one's past, the urge to present oneself in a heroic and ambitious way is extremely compelling and often overpowering. That this novel does not fall into this trap, but relates those experiences in the atmosphere of the moment is the first sign of the novel's greatness. The 70s and 80s laid the foundations for several new directions and pathways. They triggered changes in the personal, social and cultural life and environment of the people. The effects were felt in the Tamil context as well. That this novel attempts to reconstruct this past in a nuanced and comprehensive manner is its second sign of greatness. R. Sivakumar narrates his experiences in a simple, direct and intimate manner that fully absorbs readers; this realism is the ultimate sign of greatness in this novel.