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'Zero
Degree' - The First tamil e-novel
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Charuniveditha |
The time has come to bid adieu
to fat, bulky books and welcome the compact, pocket-sized e-books. This is the new
e-wave revolution that is taking place, where one can design one's own e-book
with the help of printing software available and publish it. All one needs is a
computer and an Internet connection.
"e or be eaten" is
the new-found maxim that has been doing the rounds of late. Generally, if we
want to read the books written by our favourite novelist, we either visit a
library to read them or buy them from the book shops. But now the situation has
changed. Now in a world where software technology has spread its tentacles
and computer has become invincible, we have access to them right in our
drawing room in the form of e-books. These e-books can be preserved for a life
time as CDs and can be used anywhere and anytime.
Such an e-book is 'Zero Degree'
by Charuniveditha who takes the honour of being the first e-novelist in Tamil.
The writer's thoughts are as different as his name.
"I was very much
interested and involved in the teachings and philosophies of Sri Ramakrishna and
Vivekananda when I was young. I was attracted to Vivekananda's teachings and so
his disciple Sister Niveditha's name became a part of my name. As I grew up, a
question rose in front of me regarding the differentiations between people who
were all God's children. I started contemplating on joys and sorrows which I was
told were the results of one's karma. And if so, why one needs God?....... My
ruminations continued thus, and I started leaning towards Communism for enlightenment. I got interested in revolutionary thoughts and the first two
letters 'Charu' from the revolutionary leader Charumazudar's name got prefixed to 'Niveditha'. Since then, all my writings have been published in the name of 'Charuniveditha'.
It is another matter that I did not get the answer to my question even in
Communism," elaborated the e-novelist.
 The
book reading habit of his developed when he was young as the situations were
such that he had more chances to stay at home than play with his friends. He
became a voracious reader and started writing short stories when he was eight. And
the journey still continues even after 25 years of writing. He has written
nearly 500 short stories and two novels.
His writings were based on
one's life relating to society and politics and most of his stories expressed
such opinions. His writing in the first 12 years were centered on physical
pleasures but in the next 12 years he started writing about Osho and Bogar (Siddhar). His first novel was called
'Existentialismum Fancy Baniyanum' and the
next is 'Zero Degree'.
"Tamils around the world
read my stories with interest and appreciate them. They often ask through e-mail
whether I can send them my stories and writings. Their requests triggered my
thought and this idea of e-book clicked. That was the reason for bringing my
novel 'Zero Degree' in the e-book form," says Charu, citing the reason for
creating an e-novel.
 Philosophy,
western music, European cinema, world literature, drama are some of the topics
that capture the interest of this writer. 'Karnatakamurasum Naveena Tamizh
Ilakkiyathin Meedhana Or Amaippiyal Aayvum', a collection of his short stories introduced the non-linear form of writing in Tamil which
instigated many arguments and discussions.
It should be mentioned that the
first edition of 'Zero Degree' novel was sold in three months as soon as it was
published. It was translated into Malayalam and was released by 'Current Books', a
publishing house. Currently, it is being translated into English also.
His other main interest apart
from writing is travelling. He visited France and Germany in the year 2000.
His books 'Nadhiyin Saridham',
'Ulaga Chirukadhaigal' (translated), 'Paris Iravugal', and a summary on Skiing
and Zen Buddhism are about to be released.
He has been receiving both
bouquets and brickbats for his novel 'Zero Degree', he reveals. This novel talks
to us about humans imprisoned by their surroundings and the announcement of
self-rule in this novel is like the sound waves originating from the gramaphone
in one's dreams. In the preface of the Malayalam edition, these words have been
mentioned.
Those who are interested in
reading his 'Zero Degree' novel can log on to 'Chennaionline' http://shopping.chennaionline.com/zerodegree.
He says that this innovative idea of his has received acclaim and accolades
from various quarters.
KT Sri
Translated by Radha N.
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