Sundara Ramasami

Sundara Ramasami Biography

Sundara Ramasami was one of the exponents of Tamil modern literature. He was fondly known by the name, "Su.Ra" in literary circles. His noted novels are Oru Puliya Marathin Kathai , J.J Silakuripukal and Kuzhanthaikal, Penkal, Aankal. He began his literary career, translating Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai's Malayalam novel, Thottiyude Makan into Tamil. "Muthalum Mudivum" was his first published short story. His pen name for poetry was Pasuvayya.

Sundara Ramasami was born on 30 May 1931, in Thazhuviya MahadevarKovil of Nagarcoil, Kanya Kumari district. He was deeply influenced by the works of Mahatma Gandhi, E. V. Ramasami Naicker, Ram Manohar Lohia , Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and many more influential writers. He was a good friend of noted Malayalam writer, M. Govindan till his death. After his meeting with Communist leader P. Jeevanandham in 1950’s, he got influenced by Marxian philosophy. Literary magazine Shanti and his joining the editorial-board of Saraswathi played significant role in his life to choose writing as his career.

Through his first novel, Oru Puliamarathin Kathai itself, he proved his versatility. This work has been translated to several languages including English, Malayalam, Hebrew and Hindi. After this work, He gave up active writing for nearly six years and began again in 1973. This time he changed his style of writing. His works are noted for its distinct style and he retained humour in his works. In 1959, he wrote his first poem, "Un kai nagam" under the poetic pseudonym "Pasuvia". Later he authored numerous poems and all these poems were collectively published under the title - 107 Kavithaikal (107 poems).

He started his career by translating a Malayalam novel of Thakazhi to Tamil. He later translated the masterpiece work of Thakazhi to Tamil – Chemmeen. His translation works also include short stories by Thakazhi, Basheer, Karoor Neelakanta Pillai and M. Govindan and a few poems of N.N. Kakkad. He had close relationship with artists and poets of Malayalam art circle. Malayalam director John Abraham and writer, M. Govindan are among those names.

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Updated: December 30, 2013