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 Mangayar Malar occupies the pride of place among the Tamil periodicals devoted exclusively for women and its editor Manjula Ramesh ranks among the foremost of women journalists in Tamil Nadu. She started as a freelancer, contributing her articles to various magazines; joined as an Assistant Editor, then became the Associate Editor and is now the Editor of Mangayar Malar. ‘I am with the magazine for around twenty years now. My career has been kind of growing up with the organisation…’ Manjula beams happily.
She had to give up her dreams of studying medicine, owing to her family circumstances and chose Tamil literature instead. ‘I had to discontinue even that for a year, since we could not pay the fees,’ says Manjula. However, she picked up the thread from where she left owing to her persistence, after a year. Her linguistic talents fetched her the opportunity of being a part of the editorial team of collegiate magazines. And that paved her way to her employment in Kungumam as its Assistant Editor, when the late stalwart Saavi was its editor. This lasted for about 1½ years. She then preferred to remain as a freelancer and contributed to Tamil magazines like Dhisaigal, Dina Malar, etc. Her association with Mangayar Malar started in 1981. ‘I don’t have a formal diploma or any such training in journalism. My training was on-the-job and I learnt quite a lot by experience,’ she adds.
‘One incident remains etched in my mind,’ she says. ‘When I was a freelancer, I used to frequent the magazine offices, asking for assignments. Of course, I was over-enthusiastic and my visits were so numerous that it must have irritated them. I was sitting in the reception.
 The person who was responsible for giving me assignments was informed of my arrival. ‘Ah… that girl,’ I heard him saying. ‘She comes here so often. Just tell her that I am not in office.’ That hurt me so much and I was so pained. As I recollect it now, I do realise that this was not an issue at all. Nevertheless, it affected me so much that day; and remains fresh in my mind even now. I have in fact worked with that person later. We exchange pleasantries whenever we chance to see each other. I don’t carry any hostility. But the impact of the incident formed in those early days remains with me,’ she recollects with a smile.
Whom does she attribute her success to? ‘My husband Ramesh. He is the man behind my success. All the credit for my growth and accomplishment goes to him. As far as I am concerned, I give my first priority to my job. Even my family comes only next. He took care of the children when they were young; he accompanied me whenever I had to go on tours and he gave me all the moral support that I needed. I would say he is my spinal chord. I could not have done whatever I have done without his support.’ You are lucky, Manjula. Not many can say that.
By the way, what Ramesh is doing? ‘He is a lawyer. Our daughter is in the final year of her graduation and son is in +2. I love spending time with them.’
‘There were no other magazines for women, in Tamil, in those days. We had to find our own path. I have been carrying the magazine like the kangaroo carrying its young one in its pouch. In fact, I went through the forms within an hour of my second delivery. A few years ago, I underwent a major surgery. As soon as I could gain half my consciousness, I called for the wrapper and approved it after due corrections. The magazine was my very breath. I have never had the opportunity to go on leave for a couple of weeks. But that doesn’t matter. I have not done anything very great. We grew up together, the magazine and myself,’ she adds contentedly.
 Many women come to Manjula, for counselling these days. What could be the reason for most of their problems and how does she help them?
‘Lack of understanding has been the main source of all trouble. Mostly it is due to the inability of the husband or wife to see and understand each other’s viewpoints. What saddens me is that the parents – the mother in most cases – of the couples add to it. I make them realise this fact and help them come closer.
Women are successful in their careers; but several of them are not so in their lives. The main reason for this is lack of proper guidance. I think they will be able to strike a much better balance with guidance.
Interviewed by Vaidehi Desikan
English version: Hari Krishnan
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