Ka.Na. Subramaniam
இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: க.நா.சுப்ரமணியம்
Ka.Na. Subramaniam (Kanthadai Narayanasamy Iyer Subramaniam, Ka.Na.Su) (January 31, 1912 - December 16, 1988) was a novelist, literary critic, poet, translator, and journalist. One of the pioneers of Modern Tamil literature. The primary school of thought in Modern Tamil literature is known as the Ka.Na. Subramaniam tradition.
With an interest and training in European Modernism, Ka.Na.Su tried to bring Modernist Aesthetics in short stories, poems and novels in Tamil throughout his life. He wrote pioneering novels in Tamil. He ran common reading magazines and later independent magazines for literature. Ka.Na.Su highlighted literary works based on taste through literary recommendations and lists. He translated works that the Tamil literary world should watch out for. He introduced the Aesthetic Form of Modern Tamil Poems. Ka.Na.Su acted like an individual movement in Tamil.
A generation like Sundara Ramaswamy, Venkat Saminathan who continued the aesthetic legacy of Ka.Na. Subramaniam, the next generation like Rajamarthandan, M. Vethasagayakumar and the third generation like Jeyamohan, K. Mohanarangan, Lakshmi Manivannan and the fourth generation like Suneel Krishnan and Vishal Raja are literary critics working in Tamil and rely on aesthetics.
Birth And Education
Ka.Na. Subramaniam was born on January 31, 1912 to Narayanasamy Iyer in Valangaiman, Tiruvarur district. His father was a postal officer. Ka.Na. Subramaniam, who lost his mother at a young age, grew up under the care of his grandmother (A character similar to his grandma is called 'Akka' in his novel Sharmavin Uyil). Ka.Na. Subramaniam's father dreamed of him becoming an English writer. Ka.Na. Subramaniam has recorded that his father used to ask him to read aloud the works of English authors. Ka.Na. Subramaniam completed his schooling in Swamimalai, Kumbakonam and completed his graduation in Trichy.
Personal Life
Ka.Na. Subramaniam married Raji and they have a daughter. Sa. Kandasamy has dedicated one of his books to Raji Subramaniam. His daughter was married to actor and writer K.S.S. Mani popularly known as Bharati Mani.
Ka.Na. Subramaniam lived a kind of nomadic life. He mostly ate in restaurants. He used to travel to different towns with his small Olivetti portable typewriter. Sundara Ramasamy talks about Ka. Na. Subramaniam's stay at Nagercoil in his memoir Pazha. Adiyaman says that Ka.Na.Su's various prefaces say that he stayed in various cities and also points out the following: The preface for Adarangu was written in Tambaram (April 12, 1955), the prefaces of Atkolli & Padithirukireergala were created in Tiruvanandapuram (1959), Kalai Nutpangal preface was done in Delhi, the preface of Pithapoo was written in Mysore, the preface of Nallavar was written in Madurai, and the preface of Sharmavin Uyil points the place as Chidambaram.
Journalism
Ka.Na. Subramaniam was actively involved in journalism. Since writing in Manikodi magazine, his life depended on Tamil and English magazines. He was an early contributor to Ezhuthu magazine. He was finally communicating with the magazine Mundril.
There are three magazines that were edited by Ka.Na. Subramaniam. Among them Sooravali is a weekly magazine of common reading. Chandrodayam an Intermediate Journal had common reading and literary works published in it. Ilakkiyavattam is a independent literary magazine.
Religion
Ka.Na. Subramaniam was a non-religious person. His son-in-law Bharti Mani has recorded that he never performed any temple worships and rituals. Ka.Na.Su was interested in the Indian Vedanta tradition. Sundara Ramasamy has recorded that Ka.Na.Su came and stayed in Thiruvananthapuram to listen to the discourses of Atmananda (Krishna Menon), the propounder of intellectual Vedanta (Ka.Na.Su Ninaivodai). Sundara Ramasamy mentions Atmanandar's line "Waves are nothing but water, so is the sea" as the most favorite line Ka.Na.Su. Critics point out that Ka.Na.Su's Poithevu is a presentation of the illusion principles of the Vedanta tradition.
Literary Life
Ka.Na.Subramaniam never worked anywhere in his life. With the wealth given to him by his father, he lived by starting magazines and engaging in literature. Ka.Na. Subramaniam mentions that he built his life with the determination to live by writing. "After reading Jack London's Martin Eden and deciding on the direction of my literary life, I came to Chennai with a typewriter in hand and settled in a hotel in Thangasalai Street in 1934. My creations in English literature also gained momentum. Between 1935-1936 I started writing in Tamil and my literary life also flourished. After 1936, I did not attempt to write in English until 1950." says Ka.Na.Su (Chennaiku Vanden Article)[[[க.நா.சுப்ரமணியம்|1]]].
Ka.Na. Subramaniam initially wrote in English and French. "My first story was called Fathers And Sons - published in English (1935), French (1936) and then German in 1954," he notes. At the same time, Ka.Na.Su found a magazine called Gandhi in a shop and bought it. Seeing the story Varpadam written by Vathalagudu S. Ramaiah (P.S. Ramaiah), he thought that if such stories come out in Tamil, he could do the same. Following that, he wrote a story called Atma Samarpanam. After finding out about Manikodi magazine from the shopkeeper, he gave the story to Manikodi editor P.S. Ramaiah. The first story was published in 1955. That was the first Tamil story written by Ka.Na. Subramaniam.
Ka.Na. Subramaniam has written in all forms like novels, short stories, poems, plays, essays, and translations. He was writing for about 60 of his 76 years of life. He had a rule to write every day. Thanjai Prakash, who tried to compile his writings in 2000 to write a book on Ka.Na. Subramaniam for the Sahitya Academy, found it impossible. A.D. Sachithanandam attempted to compile Ka. Na. Su's Ilakkiya Vattam magazines but gave up the effort. Researcher Pazha Athiyaman mentions that approximately 107 books were found to be written by Ka.Na.Subramaniam.
Novels
A list of 17 novels written by Ka. Na. Subramaniam is available in Thanjai Prakash's book. He says that there are more than fifteen novels that are out of print, such as Tiruvalangadu (4 volumes, more than 1000 pages), Malthedi, Vakkil Aiya, Jathimuthu, Salivahanan, Chatanur. Ka.Na. Subramaniam mentions that many manuscripts have been lost and even the complete copies of the printed book have been destroyed.
Ka.Na.Subramaniam has experimented with different literary forms. Asuraganam (1959), a novel that moves through internal thoughts was written four times. In Asuraganam's preface, he wrote "It's something that's been on my mind for over thirteen years. To give it a complete form I had to write it four times". On the other hand, he says that he wrote his historical novel Sharmavin Uyil (Sharma's Will) in 1938 while staying in a hotel in Salem and wrote the original in 15 days and the full version in 21 days (Preface of Sharmavin Uyil). Pithapoo, published in 1989, was the last novel written by Ka.Na. Subramaniam. He says that he planned it in 1959 and completed it four attempts over four decades.
Articles
Ka.Na. Subramaniam has written numerous short articles, biographical notes, and book reviews based on literature. His first published book was Kavi Ravindranath Tagore (1941) with a foreword by T.K. Chidambaranatha Mudaliar published by Alliance on the occasion of Tagore's death. Ka.Na.Su's last book was Manitha Chintnaivalam (1988) published by Kalaignan Publishing House. His last foreword for a book was Kalai Nutpangal published by Vel Publishing House. Ka.Na. Subramaniam, who died on December 16, 1988, wrote the foreword on December 4, 1988.
Short Story Collections
Ka.Na. Subramaniam continually wrote short stories. They were in book form through Deiva Jananam, Azhagi, Manikoondu, Adarangu, Ka.Na.Su. Sirukathai Thoguppu (In three parts). Researcher Pazha Athiyaman calculates that the number of stories of Ka.Na.Su may be around one hundred.
Translations
Sundara Ramasamy stated that Ka.Na. Subramaniam's contributions are foremost in his translations, in the book Ka.Na.Su Natpum Mathippum. He did not translate popular American authors of the day. He brought lesser-known European creators like Selma Lagerleff and Parlager Quist to Tamil. Through it he showed what literary aesthetics he wanted to create. Ka. Na. Subramaniam continued doing translations. Translations of Nobel prize winning novels, European, American, and world short stories have been translated by him. He translated a diverse range of authors such as George Orwell, Stephen Crane, Jack London, Ibsen. He has written summaries of many novels.
Literary Movement
Ka.Na.Subramaniam's famous Padithirukireergala? (Have You Read It?) came out as a serial in Sudesamithran Weekly. It marked the beginning of the intellectual movement proposed by Ka.Na. Subramaniam. For more than fifty years there have been debates in Tamil for and against the list of recommendations. The book was an attempt to create a Modern Tamil Canon in Tamil. Ka.Na. Subramaniam continued to expand that list throughout his life. In it he added new creators and excluded some of the old ones. Among his recommendations, some like Shanmugasuppaiah and Anuthama disappeared in later times, not being accepted even by the critics who followed him and the readers who accepted him. Primed by him, some like R. Shanmugasundaram did not reach the place he gave. People like Pa. Singaram, whom he ignored, were later placed in the first place by his later critics. But despite these variations, Ka.Na. Subramaniam's collection of source books remains undeniably the centerpiece of modern Tamil literature.
Ka.Na. Subramaniam's essays in the literature circle titled Ilakkiyathukku Or Iyakkam show his dream of modern literature. Ka. Na. Subramaniam thought that modern literature is the proof that a society is exposed to modern ideas and has a modern sensibility. He thought that it would not develop spontaneously, but within a small circle of education and natural intelligence. He felt that they should take it forward as a movement and give it to the community. It was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. It is with this thought that he ran magazines, conducted literary correspondence, went from town to town to meet young artists, did translations, wrote literary notes, book reviews, and critical lists. He remained active until his death. The leading writers known today in Tamil are La. Sa. Ramamirtham, Thi. Janakiraman, K. Alagirisamy got their fame because of him. It was he who noticed the likes of Eezham creator Ilangairkon.
In the foreword of magazines such as his Ilakkiya Vattam, Ka.Na.Su says that literature does not need greatness, power or fame; it is enough to have a small circle of dedication and insight. He fought against the commercial writing and political writing that rose to prominence in Tamil by presenting the aesthetics and sensitivity of modern literature. "I dedicate this book to the two hundred or three hundred good readers in Tamil today and to the ten or twenty literary authors who are keeping the tripod alive by pouring oil on the literary torch.", says Ka.Na.Subramaniam in the introduction to his book Ilakkiyathukku Or Iyakkam. It is a line that shows the insight of his literary work.
Demise
Ka.Na.Subramaniam passed away on December 16, 1988 in Delhi.
Literary Place
Ka.Na.Subramaniam's name can be mentioned next to C. Subramania Bharathiyar if we list the personalities who determined the outlook and direction of modern Tamil literature. C. Subramania Bharthi was a pioneer in writing in all fields like poetry, story, journalism, and translation. Ka.Na. Subramaniam defined the modern literature that emerged in terms of aesthetics and created a tradition. His contributions can be defined as follows:
- It was a time when great efforts were being made to restore the Tamil heritage. Much of the intelletual movement had returned to the past and worshiping heritage prevailed. In that context, Ka.Na. Subramaniam was able to turn the attention of some of the writers towards the future, towards the new aesthetics and concepts to be developed. That laid the foundation for modern literature in Tamil.
- In the context of India, modern literature began as a social reform and there was a need for it. But as a result, it soon became political propaganda. Ka.Na. Subramaniam developed the idea of presenting the basic aesthetics of literature and separating it from the monotonous voice of propaganda writing through his continuous activity.
- With the advent of printing technology and basic public education, commercial writing in Tamil became a major industry. Ka.Na. Subramaniam emphasized and established the minset of reading literature against the one commercial writing created and established. Literary reading is about looking closely at the content of a literary work and considering techniques rather than ideas. He defined and established that it would be trying to absorb real emotions by connecting them with life and removing high-pitched voices and theatricality.
- Ka.Na. Subramaniam asserted that modern literature cannot be judged by old literary criteria, it needs modern aesthetic criteria. It should not be guided by politicians or academicians, it has a spontaneous movement and it is created by literary artists. He said that those fundamentals are not based on collective attitudes, but on the individual.
The basic concepts, moods, and aesthetic ideals of modern Tamil literature were established by Ka.Na. Subramaniam through continuous discussion and by subsequent generations who continued to adopt him.
Criticism
There are two types of criticisms leveled at Ka.Na. Subramaniam.
- Leftists like K. Kailasapathy, Karthikesu Sivathambi, Na. Vanamamalai accused him of having an individualist view, his basic life orientation was longing for antiquity, and his philosophy was Vedantic. He was said to be a proponent of anarchism, and thereby US-backed right-wing politics against the left.
- Analytical critics like C.S. Chellappa and academic researchers like C. Kanakasabapathy have said that Ka.Na. Subramaniam's literary criticism is introspective and lacks intellectual value as it lacks external criteria.
Awards
- Sahitya Academy Award (1986) - Ilakkiyathukku Or Iyakkam
- Tamil Nadu Government Short Story Award - Kothai Sirithaal
- Kumaran Asan Award
Books
Poems
- Mayan Kavithaigal
- Ka.Na.Su Kavithaigal
- Puthukavithaigal
Novels
- Sharmavin Uyil
- Vaznthavar Kettal
- Asuraganam
- Avathoothar
- Avaravar Paadu
- Aatkolli
- Irandu Pengal
- Ezhu Per
- Ezhumalai
- Orunaal
- Kothai Sirithaal
- Kopuravaasal
- Sakthi Vilasam
- Sathyagrahi
- Samugasithiram
- Thanthaiyum Magalum
- Nadutheru
- Nalini
- Pattanathu Vazvu
- Puzuthither
- Periyamanithan
- Poithevu
- Mathavi (Valarattru Novel)
- Maalthedi
- Vazvum Thazvum
- Pithap Poo
- Thomas Vanthaar (Valluvarum Thomasum)
Short Story Collections
- Azhahi Muthaliya Kathaigal
- Aadarangu
- Karukatha Mottu
- Manikoondu
- Deiva Jananam
- Visiri
Essay Collection
- Inthiya Ilakkiyam
- Inthiya Marumalarchi Sinthanaiyaalargal
- Inthiya Sinthanai Marabu
- Ilakkiya Sinthanaiyaalargal
- Ilakkiya Visaram
- Ilakkiya Sathanaiyaalargal
- Ilakkiyathukku Or Iyakkam
- Ulaga Ilakkiyam
- Ulagathu Sirantha Novelgal
- Ulaga Ilakkiyam
- Ottadai
- Kalainutpangal
- Kalaiyum Vazkaiyum
- Ka.Na.Su Ilakkiya Thadam
- Ka.Na.Su Parvaiyil Ilakkiya Valarchi
- Kavi Rabindranath Tagore
- Sirantha Pathu Inthiya Novelgal
- Tamil Ilakkiya Vimarsagargal
- Nangu Novelgal
- Novel Kalai
- Padithirukkireergala
- Pugallpettra Novelgal
- Puthumaiyum Pithamum
- Bharathiyin Katchi
- Manithakula Sinthanai Valam
- Manitha Sinthanai Valam
- Muthal Ainthu Tamil Novelgal
- Moondru Novelgal
- Vimarsana Kalai
Translations
- 1984 (Muthanna) - (1984 by George Orewell)
- Anbu Vazhi - (Barabbas by Pär Lagerkvist)
- Adimai Pen - (Selma Lagerlöf )
- Athiyasayam
- Antha Maram
- Aval
- Albert Swaizerin Suyasaritham
- Udaintha Kannadi
- Ulagin Sirantha Novelgal
- Ezhiya Vazhkai (Walden by Henry David Thoreau)
- Ezhu Nadakangal
- Europiya Sirukathaigal (1987)
- Kayiru
- Katharkathai
- Kaali (The Angry Woman by Paul Heyse)
- Ulagin Aathi Kaviyam Gilgamesh (The world's first epic Gilgamesh)
- Kuruthipoo (Stories of Katherine by Anne Porter)
- Kudiyaanavargal (The Peasants by Władysław Reymont)
- Kurugiya Vazhi (Strait Is The Gate by Andre Gide)
- Suvarkathil Gary Asan
- Tabalkaaran (The Postman by Martin Du Gard)
- Thaasiyum Thabasiyum (hais by Anatole France)
- Thiruttu
- Devamalar (The Legend Of The Christmas Rose by Selma Lagerlöf)
- Nallavargal (Charles Dickens)
- Nalla Nilam (The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck)
- Nilavalam (The Growth Of The Soil by Knut Hamsun)
- Pasi (Hunger by Knut Hamsun)
- Bommaiya? Manaiviya? (The Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen)
- Mathaguru (The Story of Gösta Berling by Selma Lagerlöf )
- Manushya Naadagam (The Human Comedy by William Saroyan)
- Virunthaali (The Stranger by Albert Camus)
- Virothi (Selma Lagerlöf)
- Vilangu Pannai (Animal Farm by George Orewell)
- Jaalam
- Kadalmuthu (Sirukathaigal)
Plays
- Oothari
- Ezhu Nadakangal
- Kalyani
- Nallavar
- Peranbu
- Manjalum Neelamum
- Vazhaatri Sivatti
English Books
- Contemporary Indian Short Stories (1977)
- Contemporary Tamil Short Stories (1978)
- Generations (Novel) - Neela Padmanaban (1972)
- Movements of Literature
- Sons of the Sun (Novel) - Sa. Kandasamy (2007)
- The Anklet Story (1977)
- The Catholic Community In India (1970)
- Thiruvalluvar and His Thirukkural (1989)
References
- Solvanam - Ka.Na.Su Sirapithal
- Ka.Na.Su Aatkolli Novel Munnurai
- Ka.Na.Su Or Ezuthiyakkam | Kaalachuvadu | Kaalachuvadu | tamil weekly supplements
- Ka.Na.Su Dinamani
- Ka.Na.Su Vimarsanam - K. Panchangam
- Sundara Ramasamy Ninaivodai
- Amibath Pathchanidam Ka.Na.Su Ketta Kezvi!~ Bharati Mani Pakkangal
- Mappillai Mechiya Maamanar!~ Bharati Mani Pakkangal
- Enakku Maamanaragavum Iruntha Ka.Na.Su ~ Bharati Mani Pakkangal
- Pasupathi Pakkangal
- Ka.Na.Su Kavithaigal - Oru Parvai
- Aadarangu Oru Ka.Na.Su Kathai
- Ka.Na.Su Padaipugal Oru Aivu - Laxmanan
- Ka.Na.Su Pattri C. Mohan
- Ka.Na.Su Pattri Latha Ramakrishnan
- Ka.Na.Su Pattri A. Manavazhagan
- Ka.Na.Su Pattri Subbarao
Notes
✅Finalised Page
First published on: 26-Sep-2026, 19:35:40 IST
