The Hindu
Nov 3, 2005
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Staff Reporter
The writer attached "great importance to clarity of expression"
CHENNAI: Speakers at a literary gathering organised by Tamil Maiyam on Monday recalled the contributions of Sundara Ramasamy, known to the Tamil literary world as `Sura', who died last month.
Advaitic witness
Tamil writer Gnanakoothan recalled Sura's service to Tamil prose. "There is a certain rhythm in his prose and novels and he placed great importance to clarity of expression," he said. The prose of the narrator and that of the characters were different and the aspect of alienation and detachment — an attitude of the Advaitic witness was evident in his writings, he added.
Taste for humour
Father Jegath Gaspar Raj, Managing Director of Tamil Maiyam who read out writer Raj Gowthaman's speech on `Oru Puliyamarathin Kathai,' and other novels of Sura, mentioned his flair for humour.
A.R. Venkatachalapathy, who analysed Sura's personality and his contributions, said the two factors could not be separated. "Though he had thoroughly read ancient Tamil literature, readers can never find any references to them in his works," he said.
As a writer who had read his works since 1982 and had the opportunity to interact with him closely, he was attracted by the humour, which was the underlying factor.
"Sura was a great listener and his sharpness of intellect never left him till his death," he said.
Father Jegath Gaspar in his introductory address said that it was important to view writers beyond ideological barriers and study their works rather than subject them to categories and accept or reject them based on their views.
D.I. Aravindan, Editor of Kalachuvadu, the Tamil literary monthly started by Sura, introduced the speakers. Prasanna Ramaswamy read out short stories of Sura.
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