On this day six years ago - 30th January 2019 -my good friend Charukesi, the veteran bilingual writer/author passed away after fighting a losing battle with cancer. He opened up a whole new world of literature to me. Encouraged me in my writing efforts. Translated my autobiography in Tamil. In many ways, he became an integral part of my literary life in the last decade of his life. I miss him a lot. I presented an A/V that I produced tracing his life story at a memorial meeting organised by Tamizh Puthaga Nanbargal ( Tamil Readers Forum) of which he was one of the four pillars. I had less than seven days to produce this video, which was made possible with help from Charukesi`s family.
Tamizh Puthaka Nanbargal promoted
writers and novels at its monthly meetings. At the meeting, an avid reader
reviewed a book of a living author in detail in the author’s presence. It was
followed by a question and answer session between the author and the
audience. Charukesi was responsible for
selecting a worthy novel, identifying a suitable reviewer, and drafting the
invitation . The other three
pillars were R.T Chari who conceived the idea and sponsored the meeting,
Ravi Tamilvanan the MC who conducted the meeting in his inimitable style,
and yours truly in charge of the overall coordination including mailing the
invitations and follow-up.
For every meeting, I would give him a lift in
my car to and from Tag Centre, the venue of the meetings. I would also offer
this facility to anyone else who wanted this service provoking Charukesi to say
in jest that `Rajan`s CAR SEVA` is now available. I continue to offer this
service in Nana Nani where I am staying now
After Charukesi`s demise Kizhambur, the
editor of Kalaimagal became the fourth pillar. Thanks to TPN not only I got
close to CharukesI but also got to know several award-winning Tamil writers.
During the pandemic, TPN was dissolved, never to be revived again.
I am sharing the A/V
once again as my tribute to a great human being on his sixth death anniversary.
No comments:
Post a Comment