padmanabha
13th October 2006, 07:22 PM
[tscii:57690541d9]D. Jayakanthan - The Humanist
D. Jayakanthan, a multifaceted personality and a versatile artist of post independent Tamil fiction, the recipient of the Sahitya Akademy award in 1972, the Rajaraman award of Tamil Nadu University in 1986 and now the prestigious Jnapith award has created for himself a niche in the Tamil literary world with his controversial and revolutionary ideas. A prolific writer, who began his literary career as a short story writer, he soon distinguished himself as a novelist of exceptional calibre with his radical and progressive views. The variety of his themes and the unique style of his presentation have established him as one of the most eminent literary figures in Tamil Literature.
An artist of the transitional phase both political and social, Jayakanthan witnessed the wide spread changes in the social scenario and the innumerable challenges and problems confronting the human being. A serious writer who dedicated himself to the task of portraying the various social evils of the day, Jayakanthan attempted to redefine some of the major issues of life. As an artist with a deep insight and an uncanny capacity to capture in print the multiple social problems encountered by man, it is only natural that he received varied responses ranging from high admiration and appreciation to vehement and bitter criticism from his readers. Yet he advocated his strong convictions and firm beliefs without any reservations and still continues to attack the corrupt and degraded value systems. His powerful writings evoked strong reactions both positive and negative to such an extent that he is considered as a “phenomenon in contemporary Tamil writing”. Commenting on his artistic excellences one can say that “he was an inspiration to some, a challenge to some and an anathema to a few. But whether he pleases or provokes, delights or disturbs, soothes or sneers, consoles or challenges, none can deny the fact that he is a writer of rare power and refreshing realism, vigorous in his portrayal, virile in his style, sweeping in his range and subtle in his touches”.
Jayakanthan’s novels like his short stories capture with rare insight and exquisite style the changing panorama of human life. No aspect of human experience seems to have been untouched by this versatile genius. He excels in delineating the psychological and personal turmoils that affect man and jeopardize human happiness in the present social setup. Most of his short stories and novels project the divergent aspects of human existence and the pertinent problems related to the individual and the society. Almost all his writings are guided by the bare factual materials gathered through his experiences in life and therefore his characters come from all walks of life. He gives a vivid and realistic account of their life, their problems, hopes and fears. Human relationships form the central theme of almost all his works and he is chiefly concerned in exploring indepth the importance and significance of man-woman relationship in the modern conflict-ridden society. He strongly believed that all personal relationships are closely dependent on social structures and hence social factors play a very vital role in an individual’s interpersonal relationships. He realized the full significance of the view that “civilization is judged by the kinds and qualities of human relationships it makes possible” and therefore he analyzed the problems of civilization through the problems of personal relationships. .
Jayakanthan held the view that literature should not be merely representative, but should aid in awakening the consciousness of man to redress some of the issues in the society. His primary concern is human welfare and he questions anything that hampers individual happiness, be it social, religious or ethical. Some of the questions he poses and the revolutionary views he offers have been highly condemned. But fully conscious of his self imposed responsibility to ameliorate humanity, he embarks on the task of formulating his own revolutionary codes of conduct which naturally evoked a lot of resentment and criticism in the conventionally orthodox society.. His short story Agni Pravasam and the subsequent novel Silla Nerangalil Silla Manitharkal created a lot of controversy and Jayakanthan had been fiercely criticized. Rishimoolam and Samoogam Enpathu Nallu Per were also subjected to criticism for their bold and frank presentation of some of the controversial issues. But by his daring exposition of certain untapped realms of human experience Jayakanthan has emerged as a fearless critic of social evils and meaningless rituals.
Jayakanthan’s realistic treatment combined with his progressive approach aimed at correcting society, impart a “new life- force” to his writings. There is wonderful blend of “artistic harmony and deeply laden social messages” in his works. Almost all his works Ugasanthi, Oru Nadikai Nadagam Parkiral, Parisku Po, Aadum Narkaligal Adukindrana, Silla Nerangalil Silla Manithargal, Unnai Pol Oruvan, Kokilla Enna Seithuvita, and Sundarakandam to name a few, stand testimony to this fact. Jayakanthan who has been greatly influenced by Bharathi’s concept of ‘Puthumai Penn’(New Woman) is also a great champion of women’s emancipation. He wants women “to come out of their shell” and fight boldly for their rights and freedom from male oppression. He depicts powerful women characters who fight for their independence and establish their individuality in the male dominated society.
Jayakanthan attempts to change society by modifying but not destroying some of the essentialities of tradition through a kind of fusion of the philosophies of the East and the West. Thus we find in his works a “synthesis of Western humanism, Marxian idealism and Indian heritage assuming a new avatar” and imparting new meaning and significance to old and traditional notions in the present context. (Dr.P.Anitha Dhamayanthy)
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D. Jayakanthan, a multifaceted personality and a versatile artist of post independent Tamil fiction, the recipient of the Sahitya Akademy award in 1972, the Rajaraman award of Tamil Nadu University in 1986 and now the prestigious Jnapith award has created for himself a niche in the Tamil literary world with his controversial and revolutionary ideas. A prolific writer, who began his literary career as a short story writer, he soon distinguished himself as a novelist of exceptional calibre with his radical and progressive views. The variety of his themes and the unique style of his presentation have established him as one of the most eminent literary figures in Tamil Literature.
An artist of the transitional phase both political and social, Jayakanthan witnessed the wide spread changes in the social scenario and the innumerable challenges and problems confronting the human being. A serious writer who dedicated himself to the task of portraying the various social evils of the day, Jayakanthan attempted to redefine some of the major issues of life. As an artist with a deep insight and an uncanny capacity to capture in print the multiple social problems encountered by man, it is only natural that he received varied responses ranging from high admiration and appreciation to vehement and bitter criticism from his readers. Yet he advocated his strong convictions and firm beliefs without any reservations and still continues to attack the corrupt and degraded value systems. His powerful writings evoked strong reactions both positive and negative to such an extent that he is considered as a “phenomenon in contemporary Tamil writing”. Commenting on his artistic excellences one can say that “he was an inspiration to some, a challenge to some and an anathema to a few. But whether he pleases or provokes, delights or disturbs, soothes or sneers, consoles or challenges, none can deny the fact that he is a writer of rare power and refreshing realism, vigorous in his portrayal, virile in his style, sweeping in his range and subtle in his touches”.
Jayakanthan’s novels like his short stories capture with rare insight and exquisite style the changing panorama of human life. No aspect of human experience seems to have been untouched by this versatile genius. He excels in delineating the psychological and personal turmoils that affect man and jeopardize human happiness in the present social setup. Most of his short stories and novels project the divergent aspects of human existence and the pertinent problems related to the individual and the society. Almost all his writings are guided by the bare factual materials gathered through his experiences in life and therefore his characters come from all walks of life. He gives a vivid and realistic account of their life, their problems, hopes and fears. Human relationships form the central theme of almost all his works and he is chiefly concerned in exploring indepth the importance and significance of man-woman relationship in the modern conflict-ridden society. He strongly believed that all personal relationships are closely dependent on social structures and hence social factors play a very vital role in an individual’s interpersonal relationships. He realized the full significance of the view that “civilization is judged by the kinds and qualities of human relationships it makes possible” and therefore he analyzed the problems of civilization through the problems of personal relationships. .
Jayakanthan held the view that literature should not be merely representative, but should aid in awakening the consciousness of man to redress some of the issues in the society. His primary concern is human welfare and he questions anything that hampers individual happiness, be it social, religious or ethical. Some of the questions he poses and the revolutionary views he offers have been highly condemned. But fully conscious of his self imposed responsibility to ameliorate humanity, he embarks on the task of formulating his own revolutionary codes of conduct which naturally evoked a lot of resentment and criticism in the conventionally orthodox society.. His short story Agni Pravasam and the subsequent novel Silla Nerangalil Silla Manitharkal created a lot of controversy and Jayakanthan had been fiercely criticized. Rishimoolam and Samoogam Enpathu Nallu Per were also subjected to criticism for their bold and frank presentation of some of the controversial issues. But by his daring exposition of certain untapped realms of human experience Jayakanthan has emerged as a fearless critic of social evils and meaningless rituals.
Jayakanthan’s realistic treatment combined with his progressive approach aimed at correcting society, impart a “new life- force” to his writings. There is wonderful blend of “artistic harmony and deeply laden social messages” in his works. Almost all his works Ugasanthi, Oru Nadikai Nadagam Parkiral, Parisku Po, Aadum Narkaligal Adukindrana, Silla Nerangalil Silla Manithargal, Unnai Pol Oruvan, Kokilla Enna Seithuvita, and Sundarakandam to name a few, stand testimony to this fact. Jayakanthan who has been greatly influenced by Bharathi’s concept of ‘Puthumai Penn’(New Woman) is also a great champion of women’s emancipation. He wants women “to come out of their shell” and fight boldly for their rights and freedom from male oppression. He depicts powerful women characters who fight for their independence and establish their individuality in the male dominated society.
Jayakanthan attempts to change society by modifying but not destroying some of the essentialities of tradition through a kind of fusion of the philosophies of the East and the West. Thus we find in his works a “synthesis of Western humanism, Marxian idealism and Indian heritage assuming a new avatar” and imparting new meaning and significance to old and traditional notions in the present context. (Dr.P.Anitha Dhamayanthy)
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