Collection of short stories of writer R Chudamani launched

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N. Ram, Director of The Hindu Group, and other dignitaries at the launch of the collection of 20 short stories. | Photo Credit: RAGHUNATHAN S.R.

Virunthinarkalil Oruvan , a collection of 20 short stories by writer R. Chudamani was launched by N. Ram, director of The Hindu Group here on Saturday.

In the event organised by R. Chudamani Memorial Trust, Mr. Ram said Chudamani was a bold writer. Considering Chudamani’s health, her movements would have been limited. With this, one wonders how she could have one written so many stories and dealt with so many issues, he said.

The special qualities of her writing were rich minimalism, delicate probing of stressful relationships, interactions within families and interplay of tradition and modernity, and sensitive feel for changing times, he said.

Writer and former editor of Kalki Seetha Ravi said the book that was being released was important in many ways. Even though the stories were written many decades ago, the ideas and thoughts are still valuable and relevant today, she said.

“Chudamani’s characters are not superheroes but are just ordinary people. But without doing any adventure, they will capture our mind. She doesn’t point out or judge the strengths or weaknesses of the characters, but by showcasing them in the context of their background, she makes us accept them with an understanding,” she added.

The trust honoured many who worked to keep the memory of the author alive, including retired Madras High Court judge Prabha Sridevan, translators T. Sriraman, C.T. Indira, Hem Mahesh, and Sumathi Padmanabhan, Ms. Ravi, artist Nikila Kesavan, industrialist and businessman R.T. Chari, retired IAS officer Gnanarajasekaran, documentary filmmaker V. Jayashree, artist and illustrator Maniam Selvan, editor of Amudha Surabhi Tiruppur Krishnan, publisher of the book Karuna Prasath, Sethu Chokkalingam of Kavitha Publishers, V. Ravichandran, auditor of the trust, K. Sreekumar of Real Impact Solutions, and S. Anuradha who maintains the archives.

K. Bharathi, managing trustee of the R. Chudamani Memorial Trust, said the book was published by Bodhivanam Publishers and the illustrations were done by Mr Selvan. Writer J. Rajagopalan also spoke at the event.

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