Vembu Vikiraman
Encyclopedia
Vikiraman is the pseudonym of Subarayar Vembu (born March 19, 1928), a prolific Tamil
writer
and journalist
.
during British rule and was one of the surveyors who was responsible for the construction of the Pamban Bridge
. His father also worked for Sudeshamitran, a Tamil daily under the editorship of Bharathiyaar.
, Rajaji and A.K. Gopal Chettiyar.
He has travelled extensively to places like Malaysia, Singapore, Srilanka, Paris, Dubai, Rome and places of historical significance in India.
He was also the editor of the following magazines: Kuruvi (children's weekly), Sundari (fortnightly), Mangalam
(weekly) and Tamil Arasi (weekly).
. He edited arguably the longest surviving Tamil literary magazine, Amudasurabhi, for well over five decades (1949–2002). He is perhaps the only Tamil writer who has tried his hand in almost every genre, in addition to novel and short story, drama, poetry, travelogue and essay. He has also written stories for children and books on history for the youth in simple Tamil.
His first historical novel, Udayachandran, appeared in 1957 and he has added 33 more in the four succeeding decades. The most famous of these has been Nandipurathu Nayagi, first serialised in Amudasurabi during 1957-59, and published in book form in 1964. Nandipurathu Nayagi is in fact a sequel to Ponniyin Selvan
of his better-known contemporary and mentor, Kalki Krishnamurthy
, whose influence on Vikiraman is quite significant in respect of both historical novels and short stories.
With more than 150 short stories in 62 years to his credit, Vikiraman continues to write fiction for Ilakkiya Peetam, which he presently edits. Although he has received many accolades including the Kalaimamani
title from the Tamil Nadu Government and an award from Tamil University, Thanjavur, for his literary achievements, he has admittedly a grievance that he is known only as a novelist and journalist, and not as a short story writer among the Tamil readers. And hence this collection of his 70 short stories, as he reveals his mind in Kathaiyin Kathai, a sort of preface to the volume. Not an unjust grievance anyway, in this fast-track cultural ambience in which literature is loved more for its entertainment value, forcing the long, time-consuming novel to yield ground to short story as a form of literary expression. Judged from J.B. Priestley's observation that "at its best, the short story offers us a wonderfully clear little window through which we can see something of the lights and shadows, the heights and depths of life in this world," a substantial number of the stories in this collection pass the test.
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
.
Biography
He was born to Subarayar and Lashmiammal. His father was an employee of Southern RailwaysSouthern Railway (India)
The Southern Railway is the earliest of the 16 zones of the Indian Railways created in independent India. It was created on April 14, 1951 by merging three state railways namely Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway, the South Indian Railway, and the Mysore State Railway. The South Indian Railway...
during British rule and was one of the surveyors who was responsible for the construction of the Pamban Bridge
Pamban Bridge
The Pamban Bridge is a cantilever bridge on the Palk Strait connects Rameswaram on Pamban Island to mainland India. It refers to both the road bridge and the cantilever railway bridge, though primarily it means the latter. It was India's first sea bridge...
. His father also worked for Sudeshamitran, a Tamil daily under the editorship of Bharathiyaar.
Early years
He was always interested in journalism, especially handwritten magazines in his school days. In his high school, he started publishing a magazine called Tamil Chudar which was acclaimed by Kalki KrishnamurthyKalki Krishnamurthy
Kalki was the pen name of R. Krishnamurthy , a noted Tamil writer, film & music critic, Indian independence activist and journalist from Tamil Nadu, India.- Biography:...
, Rajaji and A.K. Gopal Chettiyar.
He has travelled extensively to places like Malaysia, Singapore, Srilanka, Paris, Dubai, Rome and places of historical significance in India.
Journalism
He worked for a weekly magazine called Velli Mani from 1946–1947, for Tamizh Pannai in 1948. He edited arguably the longest surviving Tamil literary monthly magazine, Amudasurabhi, for over five decades (1951–2003). He started a fortnightly Tamil literary magazine Illakiyapeedam in 1997 and is its editor and publisher.He was also the editor of the following magazines: Kuruvi (children's weekly), Sundari (fortnightly), Mangalam
Mangalam Weekly
Mangalam is a weekly magazine started by the late M.C. Varghese and now published by Mangalam Publications, Kottayam, Kerala, India. It has a circulation exceeding 1.5 million readers, and publishes a special international edition for non-residents....
(weekly) and Tamil Arasi (weekly).
Works
Vikiraman is known more for his novels, particularly historical novels, than for his short storiesShort Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
. He edited arguably the longest surviving Tamil literary magazine, Amudasurabhi, for well over five decades (1949–2002). He is perhaps the only Tamil writer who has tried his hand in almost every genre, in addition to novel and short story, drama, poetry, travelogue and essay. He has also written stories for children and books on history for the youth in simple Tamil.
His first historical novel, Udayachandran, appeared in 1957 and he has added 33 more in the four succeeding decades. The most famous of these has been Nandipurathu Nayagi, first serialised in Amudasurabi during 1957-59, and published in book form in 1964. Nandipurathu Nayagi is in fact a sequel to Ponniyin Selvan
Ponniyin Selvan
Ponniyin Selvan is a 2400 page 20th-century Tamil historical novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy. Written in 5 volumes, this narrates the story of Arulmozhivarman , one of the kings of the Chola Dynasty during the 10th-11th century CE period.-Historical background:Ponniyin Selvan is a historical...
of his better-known contemporary and mentor, Kalki Krishnamurthy
Kalki Krishnamurthy
Kalki was the pen name of R. Krishnamurthy , a noted Tamil writer, film & music critic, Indian independence activist and journalist from Tamil Nadu, India.- Biography:...
, whose influence on Vikiraman is quite significant in respect of both historical novels and short stories.
With more than 150 short stories in 62 years to his credit, Vikiraman continues to write fiction for Ilakkiya Peetam, which he presently edits. Although he has received many accolades including the Kalaimamani
Kalaimamani
The Kalaimamani is an award in Tamil Nadu state, India. These awards are given by the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram for excellence in the field of art and literature....
title from the Tamil Nadu Government and an award from Tamil University, Thanjavur, for his literary achievements, he has admittedly a grievance that he is known only as a novelist and journalist, and not as a short story writer among the Tamil readers. And hence this collection of his 70 short stories, as he reveals his mind in Kathaiyin Kathai, a sort of preface to the volume. Not an unjust grievance anyway, in this fast-track cultural ambience in which literature is loved more for its entertainment value, forcing the long, time-consuming novel to yield ground to short story as a form of literary expression. Judged from J.B. Priestley's observation that "at its best, the short story offers us a wonderfully clear little window through which we can see something of the lights and shadows, the heights and depths of life in this world," a substantial number of the stories in this collection pass the test.
Pallava Period
- Udhayachandiran
- Kanchisundari
- Kadalmallai Kaadhali
- Kovoor Koonan
- Parivadini
- Manikkaveenai
Chola Period
- Nandhipuraththu Nayagi
- Kulottungan Sabadam
- Chittiravalli
- Maravarman Kaadhali
- Rajadittan Sabadam
- Thyagavallabhan
- Yaazhnangai
- Chola Elavarasan Kanavu
- Therkku Vaasal Mohini
- Kondrai Malar Kumari
- Chola Mahudam
- Mangala Devan Magal
- Oruvaal Orumahudam Iruvizhikkal
- Vanjeenagar Vanjee
- Vandiya Devan Vaal
- Rajarajan Sabadam
- Gangapuri Kaavalan
- Paraandagan Magal
General
- Idhayapeedam
- Thituvilakku
- Gandhimadiyin Kanavan
- Azhagu Raani
- Nalla Manidargal
- Chandiramadi
Short story collections
- Vikiraman Sirukadhaigal
- Ponnvizha Aandu Sirukadhai KALANJIYAM (51 stories)
- Azhagin Niram Amaithi
- Kuzhal Osai
- Somadevarin Uzhil
- Thanga Vigraham
- Kadamaiyum Kadaivizhiyum
- Oh! Mudhaliya Sirukadaigal
- Sanghu Devan Punarjanmam
- Pavazha Vizha Aandu Sirukadhai KALANJIYAM (70 stories)
- Swarna Kili (novella)
- Abhimaana Valli (historical short stories)
Plays
- Sollkaatu Sedhupadi
- Parivadhini (dramatised)
- Idhayapeedam (dramatised)
- Nimmadhi (televised)
Honours
- 1981 Tamil Nadu State Tamil Development Department Award for 'Chola Elavarasan Kanavu'
- Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiyaar award by MAC Trust for the novel 'Madhurai Mahudam'
- Honorary Doctorate in Tamil Literature by World University
- 1988 Tamizh Annai Virudu by Thanjavur Tamil University
- 1991 Kalaimaamani by Tamil Nadu Government
- Kapila Vaannar Virudu by Thirukoviloor Cultural Association
- Narkkadai Nambi award by His Holiness Kundrakkudiadikal
- Centurion Trust Award by Chennai Cosmopolitan Club
- Vaagai Chemmal Award by Salem Tamil Sangam
- Bharathiyaar Virudu by Chennai Bharathiyaar Sangam
- He has been bestowed with the titles of 'Charitra Kadhai Chemmal', 'Muttamizh Vittagar', 'Pannpattu Kaavalar', 'Sirukadhai Sekkiyaar', ' Kadhai Kalai Chemmal', 'Aruntamizh Maamani', 'Maamnidar' etc. by various cultural associations
Social services/posts Held
- President, All India Tamil Writer's Association
- Trustee, Tamil Writer's Well Being Trust
- Chief Patron, Bharathiyaar Annual Festival at Ettayapuram
- Government representative to Eyal Isai Nataka Manram
- Twice member of Censor Board of Film Certification (Chennai Region)