|
An artist who became a writer
 Anuradha Ramanan, a popular and rolific writer, is well-known among the readers for her short stories and novels which mostly deal with everyday life. Her stories 'Archanai Pookkal', 'Paasam', 'Kanakanden Thozhi', etc., have been made and are even now running as serials on TV. She is a multi-faceted personality with a sense of humour, as you can see in this interview:
About your childhood
I am the eldest in the family and my childhood was spent in my maternal grandparent's house. My grandfather R Balasubramanyam was a popular actor then and had co-starred with famous actors like T R Mahalingam and T Balasubramanyam. His relatives were afraid that I too would develop an interest in movies and so never allowed me to act even in school dramas. But I have written lyrics for our school cultural
programmes.
Your marriage
I joined the College of Arts after finishing school since I was interested in drawing. I got married when I was still studying i.e., when I was 19 years old. I could not continue my studies and I finished my course after my second daughter was born. My husband passed away when I was 29 years old.
How was your experience as a lay-out artist?
After my husband died, I started to hunt for a job as I wanted a safe and secure life for my children as well as for me. I was
offered a job in a publishing company called 'Speciality Publications'. I worked as a lay-out artist for 'Indian Housewife', 'Grahani Aur Grahasti', and 'Mangayar Malar'. This magazine was published in Tamil, English and Hindi and I was the lay-out artist for all the three languages. This was my first job and I worked for two years here.
How did you, an artist, enter the world of writing?
As I told you in the beginning, I studied only in the College of Arts. I had taken my drawings to popular magazine offices but they were reluctant to offer me a job as I was a woman. The reason being that work was very demanding and it was felt that women would not be able to meet those demands.
During that time, I happened to visit the office of 'Mangai' magazine. I had gone to give my drawings and by mistake I had left my diary there. Right from my childhood, I had the habit of maintaining a diary and even my dairy used to look like a magazine with a beautiful lay-out. Editor Sarathy read my diary and told me that he found my writing more intersting than my drawings.
He informed me that he would accept the paintings and asked me to write a story for the paintings. I acceeded to his request and met him again with the story. I didn't give my name at the end of the story as I was afraid that I would be made fun of. But the drawing was credited to me. That was the beginning. The story's title was 'Kanavu Malargal
Karugumbodhu'.
How was the story received by the readers?
 It was received very well and won accolades from all corners. Readers started enquiring about the author's name and the editor asked me to give a name. I took the name 'Sambhavi' from Lalitha Sahasranamam and the story was credited to that name.
When did you choose between art and writing?
Though my story was received well, I never stopped hunting for the job of an artist. I went to 'Dhinamani Kadhir' office and since
Vasudevan was busy with a meeting, I left my drawings and a copy of 'Mangai' magazine which had my story and drawing in it.
When I went back again to their office, they asked me who the author of the story was. I told them that I had written the story. They too wanted me write a story for their magazine. I replied that my job was to draw and not write. But they insisted and so I wrote a story titled 'Nangu Suvargalukku Naduvil'. Jayaraj drew the sketch for my story and so that was the turning point where I was slowly inducted into the writing world.
How many stories have you written?
I started writing in 1977. Till now, I have written more than 1,000 novels and 1,800 short stories. And I am still writing.
Was 'Sirai' your first entry into Tamil films?
Even before 'Sirai' was filmed, I had given my story 'Sondha Veedu, Vadagai Manaivi' to Vathiraj who wanted to make it into a film in Kannada. But 'Sirai' was the first to be released.
How did that happen?
It is an unforgettable incident. Vathiraj made an offer of Rs 3,000 for the story and padi Rs 500 as advance. He promised to return in two months but failed to do so. Meanwhile, I was approached by many for the same story but I refused as I had given my word to Vathiraj. Nearly after 15 years, he came back to see me. He told me that he had faced financial loss in-between, and that he would like to film my story as a TV serial.
He told me that since I had become a famous writer, he would like to know how much I
would charge for the same story. I replied that as spoken before, Rs 2,500 would be enough. But he felt that it was not fair as he had made me wait for 15 years. So with interest, he paid Rs 15,000 and bought the story from me.
What is your opinion about women's rights and liberation?
One should say that since the '70s, there has been a marked change in the status of women. Women's education has been given an uplift and they have learnt to be financially independent.
Women's right is essntial but need not be taken from or given by anyone. Freedom is plenty now. As long as they don't misuse it, it is fine. One should know about freedom of opinion or what we are in our lives. Husbands have equal responsibility in looking after the children... but it is not advisable to fight on the issue... I feel sad to see that well-educated women are not able to take even small issues in their stride. In my opinion, women have plenty of freedom today.
The awards and titles you have received?
My first prize money was Rs 10,000, which I received for a short story competition conducted by 'Anandha Vikatan'. I received a gold medal from our late chief minister M G Ramachandran for winning a short story competition in 'Idhayam Pesugiradhu'. Tamil Nadu Congress has given me the 'Rajiv Gandhi' award, and 'Cinema Rasigar Sangam' gave me the 'Best Writer' award. And, of course, the 'Best Television Story Writer' award can also be added to the list.
What is the difference between 'mass appeal' writers and 'literary' writers?
Both are being looked at as belonging to different categories. There are many literary magazines like 'Kanaiyazhi', 'Thamarai', 'Arumbu' and there are some who write for such magazines. If by chance anyone writes for popular magazines and they are published, they think that they have changed to a differnet religion.
I came as a 'swayambu'. I grew up myself... Even now I worry after giving in a story...about whether it will be accepted.
Generally, your stories are based on family relationships. How do you choose the topic for your stories?
In the initial stages my stories were all detective stories. Later on I switched to family-type of stories. The theme or the topic has always been based on the people I meet in my day-to-day life. But I never use them when they approach me with their personal problems.
About your 'Anbudan Andharangam' in
'Dinamalar'...
I have writing this page for the past eight years and through this I have proferred advice to those who write to me about their problems and sufferings. I feel happy when I see that my advice helps people. I have a separate telephone in my house for this purpose. People can contact me till 11 p.m. to seek advice.
Why don't you counsel via Internet?
Many people have suggested this. I have to know and learn a lot in order to give counsel. I have approached many doctors and lawyers regarding this. I have to think about giving suggestions via Internet.
What is your opinion about women being saddled with the family and that full freedom can be attained only if they come out of the family 'prison'?
Women can come out and live, but for whom? How much ever she lives for society, she needs a family to support her when she is down, to encourage her when she feels frustrated and to cry for her... Family is like a protective shield. It induces in women an energy and involvement in life.
About your children and your ambition
It will be no exaggeration to say I have had a second birth with God's blessings. I fell ill a few years ago and by the grace of
Satya Sai Baba and
Pondicherry Mother, I am here before you now. In spite of problems and sufferings, I lead a very happy life.
I have two daughters. My eldest daughter lives in New Jersey, while my younger one lives in Texas. My family is an affectionate one and they have been inviting me to stay with them. But I am reluctant to leave out of love for my homeland.
My desire is to keep writing throughout my life. .... drawing, writing should continue till my last breath...I am writing a story called 'Meeravin Kadhalan' now.
K
T Sri
Translated by Radha N
|
