Lankan contemporary Tamil Literature has it own individual identity different from what is produced elsewhere. Certainly, it is not an adjunct in the overall Tamil Literature produced in Tamilaham or Thamilnadu. The literary journals locally published are standing evidence of its authenticity. It all began in the mini cultural revolution in the late 1950s and reached its peak in the 1970s. The process continues without any need to establish the fact. The late academics like K Kailasapathi, K Sivathamby, and HMP Mohideen were in the forefront in formulating this perception. The pattern of indigenous culture ad living had their own individuality although common practices in India and Lanka prevailed.
There were many literary magazines that are now defunct due to financial difficulties, especially, Mallikai edited by the indefatigable Dominc Jeeva in his 90s now, but yet, some creative writing and critical articles were included in these journals.
Currently, there are monthly, quarterly, and periodically published journals in circulation coming from various parts in the island- Colombo, Yaalpaanam, Maddakkalappu, Kalmunai, Anuadhapura, and other places. To mention some of the literary journals, we have Gnanam, Jeevanathi, Makudam, Padigal, Kalai Mugam, Kalaik Kesari, Poongavanam, Thayaka Oli, and Maruka.
Apart from these journals, the Sunday editions of Thinakkural, Thinakaran Vaara Manjari, Sudar Oli and Virakesari carry a lot of literary materials for the discerning reader.
Jeevanathi in its June and July, 2018 issues published almost research-like articles and creative writing that are of high quality. This journal is edited by young Psychology majored graduate from the University of Jaffna (Yaalpaanam). Taking the articles only for consideration the following among many are illuminating:
01.The role of the cremators in fiction - Ee.Su. Muralitharan
02.The Change in Form in Literature and Politics - Dr N Ravindren
03.Little Magazines- Sellathurai Sutharsan
04.Not Unnamed Stars but Shooting Stars-N. Navaraj
05. Mu.Tha and his short stories-K Saddanathan
06 Simon Cassie Chetty’s Contributions towards research in Tamil in Lanka- Susman
There were other serious articles, book reviews and columns in these two issues.
The short stories and poems, I haven’t read yet because I am generally disappointed in the way they are written by Lankan Tamil writers. But what is written in these two issues may be worth reading.
Kekirawa Sulaiha has translated into Tamil ‘The Happy Prince’ by Oscar Wilde. Dr. M. K Muruganandam recommends a Sinhala Novel, “Siddhartha Yasodhara” by Soma Jayakody now available in Tamil translation. The translation is by Sarojini Arunasalam. A novel by Singes Jathmaatha, a Russian writer is recommended by Su. Thavachelvan. A collection of short stories by Canadian Tamil writer, K. Navam is reviewed by Prasannaraj.
L. Murugapoopathy remembers Canadian Tamil writer N K Raghunathan 1929-2018. Sokallo Shamugam, another Canadian Tamil artiste’s contributions is remembered by C Ramesh. All these Canadian Tamil writers emigrated from Lanka.
A. Yesurasa, a senior writer and critic in his 4th installment on neighbouring writing, gives his views on Sunethra Raja Karunanayake’s novella, translated by Rishan Sherrif. Two poetry collections of Vivekanansdanor Satheesh is reviewed by Achunan. A Science-fiction by A F Sanpura is also noticed in an article.
Manathirai is a column of biographical reminiscences which has appeared in these two issues.
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