Charukesi- A prolific bilingual writer is no more

A dear friend is no more.  A person who re--opened a whole new world of Tamil literary world to me, post my retirement ,  has left this world. Creating a  big void in not only in my life but in the world of Literature.   The dreaded crab disease  snatched  away  S.Viswanathan (Charukesi) from us  this morning ( 30th january,2019) leaving behind a legion of his readers, friends and admirers mourning.

Though I had known about Charukesi for more than three decades as a popular writer and columnist,  I got to know him closely only in the last decade. It was he who introduced me to Ravi Tamilvanan of Manimekali Prasuram  on a book project which brought the three of us closer. It was at the launch meeting of the book titled `Alamaram` by Mrs Vijayalakshmi Sunderrajan at Tag Centre that the idea for the Tamizh Puthaga Nanbargal(TPN) was conceived by another great friend and philanthropist R.T Chari.  The four of us formed the core  group with Charukesi taking on the major responsibility of identifying  an author, his book and a reviewer for the monthly meetings held on the last Tuesday of every month at the Tag Centre for the last five years.  We had our 52^nd meeting yesterday where Charukesi`s absence was felt deeply by members present.

Charukesi who had turned 80 last year was a multi dimensional writer  who had completed 62 years in writing .  He had  his first article published in the then popular children`s magazine `Kannan` in their issue dated  15^th April,1955, when he was just 17 years old .  He later regularly contributed articles to Kalkandu, a popular weekly among the youth.

A writer who was known for his humorous essays in Tamil, Charukesi got his first short story published in `Kalki` weekly in March, 1960. Kalki, particularly its editor K.Rajendran encouraged Charukesi to write on a variety of subjects covering medicine, literature, painting, politics, theatre, administration, industry, etc.   Looking at his penchant for humour Rajendran also encouraged him to write political satires. While contributing articles for Kalki, he continued to write short stories which were published by Ananda Vikatan, Kalki, Dinamani Kadir, Amudhasurabi, Kalaimagal, and Kumudham .

 During his stint in Pfizer, a company where he worked for 37years, he  had contributed a few articles in English for the company’s house magazine ‘Crucible’ which were well  appreciated. That gave him the confidence to write in English.  Encouraged by the popular English dailies he began to be noticed as a writer in English even while  he was continuing to write stories and essays in Tamil. 

Charukesi`s reputation as an excellent translator of books started with an  assignment to translate Sudha Murty`s three books from English to Tamil.  Since then he has translated books of many others from English to Tamil & vice versa.  The last book he translated was the autobiography ( 1^st part) of Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukerjee, the illustrious Past President of India.

Charukesi`s  published books include -Three  collections of short stories for children  – `Kakitha Padagu, Natpu Valarga and Oru Kilai Paravaigal.    Two collections of humorous short stories – Thummalukku Kai Koduppom -Irumalukku Kural Koduppom & Oru Nayamaana Kadhal; a serious short story collection titled ‘Nagai’. His recent book of collection of articles in different Deepavali Malars and other special issues  was titled Mammootty Mudhal  Manmohan Singh Varai . His  book on Kanchi Mahaswami based on actual experiences by his devotees is  in  its sixth edition.  His travelogue ‘Cheena Anubhavangal’ was serialized in Kalki and then was brought out as a book.

Apart from the prizes he won for his stories in Kalki, Kumudam and Kanaiazhi he highly valued  the ` Best Translator Award` he got from Kalaimagal magazine- instituted by Ka Sri Sri family. Ka Sri Sri himself was an outstanding translator who had translated into Tamil all the works of the famous Marathi writer V.S.Khandekar.  

 Charukesi was the second son in a  big  family. After his schooling in Salem he got a D.Com from the Indian Merchants Chamber. He joined Pfizer Ltd, the multinational pharmaceutical company as a general assistant in 1960 in Chennai and retired as the Officer-in- charge of the Chennai Depot of the same company in 1998. All through his working career he continued to write as a hobby. He became a full time writer after his retirement.  A prolific writer he continued to pound away on his PC, both in English & Tamil, for at least 4 to 6 hours every day churning out interesting articles/stories until a few months ago when the dreaded  disease attacked him.

He was contributing  a weekly column in Dinamani, apart from writing for Hindu, Kalki, Mangayar Malar, Amudhasurabi and Madras Musings.  He was also well known as a music and dance critic. An active committee member of the Natyarangam of Narada Gana Sabha for several years he was also elected to the executive committee of the Narada Gana Sabha.

Charukesi`s looks were  deceptive.  A humble and a serious man in person his sense of humour in his writings was palpable. He also packed  a lot of energy in his thin, lean frame. A prolific writer, he has written over 8000 articles and a couple of hundred short stories in the last six decades.

Charukesi was  a gentleman to the core who was humility personified.  A loveable human being, he endeared himself to anyone he came in contact with. A bachelor all his life he was a great support not only to his siblings but also extended his helping hand to anyone in  need.

I was one of the beneficiaries of his generosity. He translated my  autobiography `Courage My Companion` into Tamil. He took me to all the literary meetings which he attended. Since I used  to pick him up in my car and drop him back home, he would jovially remark that he was getting Rajan`s `Car Seva`. We  had become inseparable twins at literary meetings. I am going to miss him a lot.

May his soul rest in peace!

( Edited version of this article has appeared in the Times of India ( Chennai) issue dated 31^st January,2019)

The slippery flooring

  Can you guess what is causing considerable anxiety among senior citizens when they are walking inside Airports, Malls, lobbies of star hotels or hospitals and even some recently renovated railway stations? It is  the shiny  granite flooring which I consider as one of the most senior citizen unfriendly thing to have happened in recent years. No doubt they look very attractive. But I find them very slippery and dangerous. I always feel unsure of my grip on the floor whenever I am walking on them. Even if I am taking careful short steps, I am not confident.

A few years ago, the Corporation of Chennai decided to beautify the Bessy, as the beautiful Elliots beach area in Besant Nagar in Chennai is known, with non glossy granite on the walking path adjacent to the parapet wall running across the beach front. Walking on this path I slipped & fell down a couple of times, fortunately without any collateral damage to my body. I was lucky. I have seen many others also falling, especially when the foot path is covered with sand carried by the winds blowing from the sea to the land or after rains. I feel  more comfortable walking on the main cemented road, like hundreds of morning walkers do every morning.

If you are a senior citizen and are travelling by flights, very often, you will find that you have to walk long distances from the entrance of the airport to the departure lounge inside the airport or from the aircraft to the arrival lounge. I have always found such walks a nightmare because of the extensive use of shiny, granite flooring everywhere. Invariably I would be walking with fear in my heart and prayer on my lips.  Imagine the plight of physically disabled people when they are not able to get the wheel chair facility at the airports.

These days even the lobbies of the multi storied apartment complexes have granite flooring. Many flat builders also proudly claim to have laid granite flooring inside their flats. Why granite flooring inside homes? I think it is a crazy idea. I am sure there are alternative floorings, equally good looking without the risks involved in having granite flooring.

Talking about flooring inside homes, I would like to share my own experience. During the devastating floods which created havoc in Chennai city in 2015, I went through the ordeal of water entering my independent home in Adyar. The entire ground floor of my modest home was covered with one foot of water for over a week. When the waters finally receded, I discovered to my shock that the entire mosaic flooring in the drawing room and the adjacent study, laid 30 years earlier,  was completely ruined. While I was averse to the idea of using mosaic flooring again because of the messy & time consuming procedure, I decided to use the inexpensive and easy to lay Linoleum flooring  recommended by my friendly engineer/contractor.  The wooden finish of the flooring looks as good as the imported laminated wooden flooring.  Visitors can hardly find any difference. Though the flooring has come with only an 8 year guarantee, it is ok by me as I can afford to replace the flooring every few years.  It took only four hours to lay the whole flooring without disturbing my routine.

I believe while looks are important, safety also matters when it comes to things used regularly, especially by senior citizens!

This article has appeared in the 20-26^th January, 2019 issue of Adyar Times, under my column `Rajan`s Random Reflections`

Feedback welcome on rvrajan42@gmail.com or  

                                        The slippery flooring

                                                by R.V.Rajan

Can you guess what is causing considerable anxiety among senior citizens when they are walking inside Airports, Malls, lobbies of star hotels or hospitals and even some recently renovated railway stations? It is  the shiny  granite flooring which I consider as one of the most senior citizen unfriendly thing to have happened in recent years. No doubt they look very attractive. But I find them very slippery and dangerous. I always feel unsure of my grip on the floor whenever I am walking on them. Even if I am taking careful short steps, I am not confident.

A few years ago, the Corporation of Chennai decided to beautify the Bessy, as the beautiful Elliots beach area in Besant Nagar in Chennai is known, with non glossy granite on the walking path adjacent to the parapet wall running across the beach front. Walking on this path I slipped & fell down a couple of times, fortunately without any collateral damage to my body. I was lucky. I have seen many others also falling, especially when the foot path is covered with sand carried by the winds blowing from the sea to the land or after rains. I feel  more comfortable walking on the main cemented road, like hundreds of morning walkers do every morning.

If you are a senior citizen and are travelling by flights, very often, you will find that you have to walk long distances from the entrance of the airport to the departure lounge inside the airport or from the aircraft to the arrival lounge. I have always found such walks a nightmare because of the extensive use of shiny, granite flooring everywhere. Invariably I would be walking with fear in my heart and prayer on my lips.  Imagine the plight of physically disabled people when they are not able to get the wheel chair facility at the airports.

These days even the lobbies of the multi storied apartment complexes have granite flooring. Many flat builders also proudly claim to have laid granite flooring inside their flats. Why granite flooring inside homes? I think it is a crazy idea. I am sure there are alternative floorings, equally good looking without the risks involved in having granite flooring.

Talking about flooring inside homes, I would like to share my own experience. During the devastating floods which created havoc in Chennai city in 2015, I went through the ordeal of water entering my independent home in Adyar. The entire ground floor of my modest home was covered with one foot of water for over a week. When the waters finally receded, I discovered to my shock that the entire mosaic flooring in the drawing room and the adjacent study, laid 30 years earlier,  was completely ruined. While I was averse to the idea of using mosaic flooring again because of the messy & time consuming procedure, I decided to use the inexpensive and easy to lay Linoleum flooring  recommended by my friendly engineer/contractor.  The wooden finish of the flooring looks as good as the imported laminated wooden flooring.  Visitors can hardly find any difference. Though the flooring has come with only an 8 year guarantee, it is ok by me as I can afford to replace the flooring every few years.  It took only four hours to lay the whole flooring without disturbing my routine.

I believe while looks are important, safety also matters when it comes to things used regularly, especially by senior citizens!

This article has appeared in the 20-26^th January, 2019 issue of Adyar Times, under my column `Rajan`s Random Reflections`

Feedback welcome on rvrajan42@gmail.com or 

                                                by R.V.Rajan

Can you guess what is causing considerable anxiety among senior citizens when they are walking inside Airports, Malls, lobbies of star hotels or hospitals and even some recently renovated railway stations? It is  the shiny  granite flooring which I consider as one of the most senior citizen unfriendly thing to have happened in recent years. No doubt they look very attractive. But I find them very slippery and dangerous. I always feel unsure of my grip on the floor whenever I am walking on them. Even if I am taking careful short steps, I am not confident.

A few years ago, the Corporation of Chennai decided to beautify the Bessy, as the beautiful Elliots beach area in Besant Nagar in Chennai is known, with non glossy granite on the walking path adjacent to the parapet wall running across the beach front. Walking on this path I slipped & fell down a couple of times, fortunately without any collateral damage to my body. I was lucky. I have seen many others also falling, especially when the foot path is covered with sand carried by the winds blowing from the sea to the land or after rains. I feel  more comfortable walking on the main cemented road, like hundreds of morning walkers do every morning.

If you are a senior citizen and are travelling by flights, very often, you will find that you have to walk long distances from the entrance of the airport to the departure lounge inside the airport or from the aircraft to the arrival lounge. I have always found such walks a nightmare because of the extensive use of shiny, granite flooring everywhere. Invariably I would be walking with fear in my heart and prayer on my lips.  Imagine the plight of physically disabled people when they are not able to get the wheel chair facility at the airports.

These days even the lobbies of the multi storied apartment complexes have granite flooring. Many flat builders also proudly claim to have laid granite flooring inside their flats. Why granite flooring inside homes? I think it is a crazy idea. I am sure there are alternative floorings, equally good looking without the risks involved in having granite flooring.

Talking about flooring inside homes, I would like to share my own experience. During the devastating floods which created havoc in Chennai city in 2015, I went through the ordeal of water entering my independent home in Adyar. The entire ground floor of my modest home was covered with one foot of water for over a week. When the waters finally receded, I discovered to my shock that the entire mosaic flooring in the drawing room and the adjacent study, laid 30 years earlier,  was completely ruined. While I was averse to the idea of using mosaic flooring again because of the messy & time consuming procedure, I decided to use the inexpensive and easy to lay Linoleum flooring  recommended by my friendly engineer/contractor.  The wooden finish of the flooring looks as good as the imported laminated wooden flooring.  Visitors can hardly find any difference. Though the flooring has come with only an 8 year guarantee, it is ok by me as I can afford to replace the flooring every few years.  It took only four hours to lay the whole flooring without disturbing my routine.

I believe while looks are important, safety also matters when it comes to things used regularly, especially by senior citizens!

This article has appeared in the 20-26^th January, 2019 issue of Adyar Times, under my column `Rajan`s Random Reflections`

Feedback welcome on rvrajan42@gmail.com or 9840392082

Celebrating the memory of Prabha

Six years have flown by since the passing away of my life partner of 40 years on 5^thJanuary,2013. Instead of mourning her death I have been celebrating her memory  through Prabha Rajan Talent Foundation by undertaking activities to encourage creatively  talented  women.

 Apart from being an accomplished writer in Tamil, Prabha was also interested in singing , gardening and social work. She was a house proud woman who believed in maintaining a beautiful home to which one was happy to return to every day- inspite of all the admonishing I would receive regularly for `messing up` the place.  By deciding to have my own independent space in the two story home I share with my son`s family- I feel her presence in every corner of the home. Thanks to also being surrounded by close family and  friends I don`t feel lonely but occasionally I do feel isolated. I miss  the minute to minute care and attention that one can expect only from a life partner. I try to dispel such negative thoughts by keeping my mind and body active and  friends are playing a great role in keeping me in good cheer. The arrival of a resident grandson Thavam ( my fifth grand child and my son`s first after 10 years of marriage) eight months ago has added to the cheerful atmosphere at home. He is truly a bundle of joy. It is a pity that Thavam is missing the presence of his paternal grand mother who would  have been a great help to his parents in bringing up the child- after all she was an experienced grand mother having helped my two daughters with the four children they brought into this world.

The sixth anniversary of celebrating the memory of Prabha witnessed my grand daughter Uthara Srinivasan  and her cousin Madura Muralidharan giving a scintillating carnatic music performance on 27^th December,2018 at the Tag Centre in Chennai. The packed audience enjoyed  the  performance and blessed the girls a bright future. I am sure Prabha would have been happy to listen to Uthara singing her favourite Bharathiar `s song, `Chinnanchiru Kiliye..` which brought back memories  of Prabha singing this song at every opportunity she got in our social get-togethers. I had goose pimples and some tears listening to Uthara singing the soul stirring song .

While wishing my near & dear ones  all the best for 2019, I pledge to continue the activities under Prabha Rajan Talent Foundation in celebrating  the memory of Prabha.