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"A litterateur can never be unhappy"

Writer Jayakanthan has kept the firebrand in him alive

PHOTO: K. ANANTHAN

FORCEFUL WRITER Jayakanthan

For an icon who has had generations of people hooked on to his writing, Jayakanthan is quite unassuming.

The innumerable awards, the Jnanpith included, have not changed him one bit.

Quick-witted and prone to throwing back your questions at you, he does not wear a mask of amiability or tolerance.

Probably why, despite being ticked off for pretentious questions, students of the PSG College of Arts and Science hesitantly kept the flow of questions going.

For many of this generation, he is a venerable literary figure, someone whom they have read occasionally and heard about more.

That showed, when some eager beavers were told to revisit the novel in question and then seek answers.

Asked to talk about literature, the writer said: "I create it. How can I talk about it?"

One of the advantages about writing was that a litterateur can never be unhappy, he said. "Who said Bharathiyar was unhappy?"

Reader Vs writer

"You read and are then affected. I am affected and so, I write. I write so that people may read. The feedback may be good or bad. But, it shows that people have read my works and reacted to it," he told the audience that listened to him with rapt attention.

Disagreeing with the common perception that the number of people reading books has come down, the much-feted writer said that the number of children studying in colleges has grown drastically. "That translates into so many more readers."

Immortal art

Literature can never become irrelevant because "it is the only way we can make ourselves immortal. Literature is a society's soul, and as readers, you should research it," he said.

As a writer, he has broken many rules and established new ones, but Jayakanthan insists that in an independent country, you must have some rules in place.

"Otherwise, it is like an engine without a brake."

Asked what drove his writing, he said: "At first it was spontaneous, then I wrote for motivation." His success, he says, was in that despite not being a reader himself he made people believe he is a writer.

A student quizzed him on his style of writing. "My raw material is Tamil but my narrative method is English. Some things are universal. Like literature."

Translate, only for a cause

When a Tamil scholar put forth a question translated from English, he snapped.

"Why can't you talk to me in English. I can answer. I am allergic to words being translated for the sake of it."

As someone who has often invited controversy, he told the students to keep going despite opposition.

"But, it must have a lofty purpose. Don't oppose to just hurt people. If you oppose for a cause and even if your language is coarse, it will not offend."

Comparisons were shown the door. Like the one on Kalki's dreamlike world versus his realistic one.

My style's different

"Don't say that. I respect Kalki for who he is. He made people read. Be grateful to him. His contribution to literature is marvellous. My idea of writing was different. I wrote about those on the fringe. It was new here, but already popular in the West. His was `popular writing'. Mine was renaissance. But, I think I was able to establish a bridge between the two styles with my works."

On the public perception about Jayakanthan, he quipped: "What can I say to opinion about me? I will consider it. I made you say that, so I will think about it."

Is literature a reflection of love or intellect?

"Are they different? Just because they have different meanings, they need not be contradictory."

Asked whether any of the actions of his characters are probable, he said: Things can be impossible for others, but possible for my characters. That's why they are characters.

One lingering question on many minds was his abrupt break from writing. Is it permanent? "Some situations made me write, some prevented me from writing. I am in the second stage now," he said.

"What is a conclusion? A conclusion happens many times. Every time you put your pen down, it is a sort of conclusion."

Solution vital

While writing, it is essential to derive a solution, says the writer.

"You can't write without that. Sometimes a solution becomes a verdict. That need not appeal to all."

Like the practical mother in Agnipravesam who bathes her daughter who returns home after being molested and tells her she has been cleansed. The short story that appeared in Ananda Vikadan drew widespread criticism for its verdict

"I have never written without being asked to, without demand. I have never written because of any urge. I always demand money for my writing. Because, that is your offering to the Kalaimagal." His favourite character is Henry from Oru Manidhan, Oru Veedu, Oru Ulagam.

Compromise if you must

Any compromises he has had to make? "Even publishing is a compromise," he quipped. "There is no life without compromise. If you have a goal and if you can achieve it only through compromise, do it. There is no need to feel bad about it."

At a recent public meeting, he said this generation does not need advice. But when a student persisted, he said: "Unless there is a demand, don't open your door."

Concluding the session Jayanthasri Balakrishnan, Rader, Department of English, PSG CAS, said: "Jayakanthan's answers shows his heart is still warm with love for fellow human beings. Let us carry a bit of Jayakanthan in ourselves. Go back and read his works."

SUBHA J RAO

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