Remembering Rajaji the writer, with Kalki

Remembering the illustrious writer, Kalki Krishnamurthy, the Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Trust organised a meet on his death anniversary here recently.

Another personality who was known for his writings, besides political career, C Rajagopalachari, was also remembered.

On the occasion, a book titled Unmai Uranguvadhillai, which contains a series of English articles written by C Rajagopalachari in the journal Swarajya, translated into Tamil,  was released.

The journal Swarajya, which was managed by Kalki organisation after Subba Rao’s death, had various articles and essays written by Rajaji in English, which were subsequently translated into Tamil by writers of Kalki Magazine.

According to Kalki Rajendran, son of Kalki Krishnamurthy, the series of articles by Rajaji in the 1960s and 1970s, have a lot of relevance even in today’s context and none other than Rajaji could have told it in a better fashion, as he mentions in the preface of the book.

The book was released by K V Ramanadhan, a retired IAS officer who lauded the efforts made to translate it precisely.

The book was received by Silamboli Chellapan, Tamil scholar.

“There may be a lot of things which people might agree or disagree with Rajaji, but it was the quality and attitude of Rajaji’s writing which could make even his enemy smile and accept it. The book also contains articles that Rajaji had written in English at the age of 93 with a lot of clarity. It is commendable how the whole essence is brought out in the translation too,” said Ramanadhan.

After the book launch, there was a session dedicated to discuss the writings of Kalki and Bharathiyar and how the present generation lacked such writers.

Silamboli Chellapam gave a special address on the topic Kalkiyum Bharathiyum, in which he dwelled upon the similarities between Kalki and Bharathi  and how humor played a major role in their writing, which eventually revolutionised the writing style of essays and poems respectively.