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Lena Tamilvanan is a well-known name among the Tamil speaking community all over the world. He has travelled almost all over the world and has moved with the Tamils of all countries. He is a part of the team that is in charge of the most widely circulated Tamil magazine Kumudam. Kalkandu, published by the Kumudam group and edited by Lena is a sensation free, vulgarity free magazine that is very popular among the masses. He heads the editorial team of Manimekalai Prasuram and has published thousands of books on a variety of subjects. He has authored more than 50 books. The Tanjavur Tamil University has appreciated his work 'Oru pathirikkaiyaalanin melai naatup payana anubavangal' (a travelogue of a journalist) and Lena received an award from the university for this book. From a conversation with him…

Q: You are playing the roles of a journalist, a writer and a publisher at the same time. Are you comfortable with playing so many roles simultaneously?

A: My father was playing many more roles. I am happy that I have at least these many. (Laughs) I am quite comfortable with them. A person should have enough scope to use his talents. I want to utilise all the three avenues that I have now effectively and then intend to look for more, once I am ready for it.

Q: There was a time when all the books published by Manimekalai Prasuram had a common authorship - that of the 'Editorial team'. Books published by you these days bear the name of their authors. What brought about this change?

A: That was because there were several authors who were in government service and needed permission from their offices. Their names were not published on request. The practice of publishing books under the name of the editorial team has been adopted by others like Saiva Sidhdhantha Noor Padhippuk Kazagam. It was done with good intentions of having a team similar to theirs. Vikraman, President of the Writers' Association told me once that it is not fair to publish books without giving due credit to the authors. I accepted this view and brought about the change.

Q: What is the present trend among readers? What kinds of stories are liked by the readers of the present times?

A: Stories woven around the family and its problems and stories on sociological themes move faster. Both detective and historical novels are not sought after.

Q: There are so many TV channels and serials. You can feed these channels with healthy stuff. Viewers develop a kind of indigestion with the ones that are telecast now... What do you feel?

A: (Laughs) Our priority number one is to retain our readership. 99% of the magazines are facing a decline in sales. They are not able to compete with the TV channels. Most of the serials revolve round ghosts and other out of the world creatures.

Rest of them are centred around women. All the women in the serials shed tears always and go through one turmoil or the other, to build up pathos. Probably the producers are under the impression that this is the only way to sustain audience interest. I agree with you that this tends become an overdose. There is not a single serial that gives a positive message. However, let us concentrate first on what we are doing now and put the magazines on a firm footing and then think of entering the TV channels.

Q: What, according to you, are Ethics of Journalism?

A: A good journalist should not worry too much about the private lives of anyone. Prying into somebody's privacy. He should see to it that what he writes does not affect the feelings of the person about whom he writes. A good journal should help the growth healthy ways of life and thought in an individual. It should be useful to him in his life, rather than providing entertainment.

Q: You have written innumerable essays and books on self-development. What do you think, is the effect that these have created on society?

A: I have not done as much as M S Udayamurthi has achieved through his writings to lift this society out of the morass. However, there are people who write to me saying that they could solve the problems in their lives on reading my articles and books. Such a feedback makes me feel that my writing is helping the society, at least to a limited extent. That gives me all the stamina I need to continue in my present field!