KANNADA
Progressive writer
V. GOPALAKRISHNA
TA.RA.SU — A Monograph: M. S. Patil; Sahitya Akademi, 35, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi-110001. Rs. 40.
INFLUENCED BY the staunch progressive Kannada literary movement, T.R. Subba Rao, more familiar as Ta.Ra.Su popularised the theme of the historical novel. His novels based on varied other themes are equally significant. A prolific writer, he was also popular as an eminent scholar and short-story writer. His objective in emphasising the importance of historical novels was not to judge the historical characters but to recreate the times. Known for his crisp and picturesque writing, he has created a number of dramatic scenes in his evocative and passionate language.
He gives lively pictures of the humble and the downtrodden, workers and the outcaste in his works. The telling phrases and epigrammatic sentences persuade the readers to be more empathetic towards the characters.
Most of his historical novels are based on the history of the Chitradurga Palegars. In them he has woven a rich fabric of heroism, idealism, patriotism and sacrifice of these petty chieftains.
The biographer in this monograph has divided the details of the life and works of the novelist in eight chapters with an index. Historical and mythological novels are reviewed separately. A separate chapter is devoted to his contribution other than novels. He has given a scholarly note on his style and technique, and the index contains useful information about the works, important events in the life along with genealogical details. A few of his novels have become films.
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