Kalki Krishnamurthy

Kalki ( _ta. கல்கி) was the pen name of R. Krishnamurthy ( _ta. ரா. கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி) (September 9 1899–December 5, 1954), an Indian freedom fighter, novelist, short-story writer, journalist, satirist, travel writer, script-writer, poet, critic, and connoisseur of the arts.

Life

Krishnamurthy was born at Puttamangalam in the Thanjavur district in an orthodox, large Brahmin family with limited means. After primary education in the village, Krishnamurthy joined the National High School at Tiruchi, about 100 kilometres away.

When Mahatma Gandhi launched his non-cooperation movement in 1921, thousands of students gave up their studies to participate; Krishnamurthy was among them. Inspired by Gandhi's speech at a public meeting in Tiruchi, and despite the Secondary School Leaving Certificate examination being just three months away, he left school and joined the Indian National Congress.

In 1922, he was given a one-year prison sentence for participating in the independence struggle. It was during this period that Krishnamurthy came into contact with two people who were to play a major role throughout his life: veteran Congress leader C. Rajagopalachari, and T.Sadasivam, who was to become a life-long friend and partner in journalistic ventures.

Krishnamurthy's first attempt at writing fiction also came during that period. In 1923 he became a sub-editor on "Navasakthi", a Tamil periodical edited by Tamil scholar and freedom fighter V. Kalyanasundaram, known as "Thiru Vi. Ka". Krishnamurthy's first book was published in 1927.

Leaving Navasakthi in 1928, Krishnamurthy stayed with C. Rajagopalachari at the Gandhi Ashram in Tiruchengode in Salem district and helped him edit "Vimochanam", a Tamil journal devoted to propagating prohibition. In 1931, he was again imprisoned for six months.

Next year Krishnamurthy joined "Ananda Vikatan", a weekly edited and published by S.S. Vasan, as its de facto editor. The magazine soon became a household name in middle class families. Krishnamurthy's witty, incisive comments on politics, literature, music and other forms of art were looked forward to with unceasing interest by readers. He wrote under the pen names of "Kalki", "Ra. Ki", "Tamil Theni", "Karnatakam" ,and so on. Vikatan published many of his short stories and novels (as serials).

The name "Kalki" denotes the impending tenth Avatar of Lord Vishnu in the Hindu religion, who it is said, will bring to an end the Kali Yuga and reinstate Dharma or righteoueness among the worldly beings. He used the name because like the Avatar he wanted to bring about great changes, and also in honor of his mentor Kalyana Sundaram Mudaliar, taking the "Kal" from his name and the "Ki" from his own. He is often referred to as "Kalki Krishnamurthy" or simply "Kalki".

In 1941 he left Ananda Vikatan and rejoined the freedom struggle and courted arrest. On his release after three months he and Sadasivam started the weekly, "Kalki". He was its editor until his death on December 5 1954.

Historic novels

Kalki Krishnamurthy created a new trend in Tamil historic novel writing. By skillfully blending actual history with fictional characters and episodes, he created a colorful world of ancient South India during the times of Pallavas and Cholas.

The following are his most famous novels, in this category:

* "Ponniyin Selvan" - Probably his very best and available
* "Sivagamiyin Sabadham" - also available
* "Parthiban Kanavu" - also available
* Solaimalai Ilavarasi

The very fact that these novels are actively being sold even today is an attestation to his everlasting imagination and portrayal. Ponniyin Selvan, his most famous creation, has been translated in English.

Social novels

He also wrote social novels, which dealt with social awakening, rights and the Indian independence movement.

His most famous works in this genre are
* "Alai Osai"
* "Thyaga Bhoomi"

His other novels include
* "Kalvanin Kaadhali"
* "Poiman Karadu"

Short stories

His short stories include
* Kanaiyazhiyin Kanavu
* Banker Vinayakarao

He was also a great patron of Carnatic music. He wrote his criticisms under the pseudonym "Karnatakam". He also penned many songs and lyrics, most of which were adapted into Carnatic Music.

Biographies on Kalki

* Ponniyin puthalvar by sunda , vanathi pathipagam
* Amarar Kalki by anusha venkatesh, The avenue Press

Historic novels available online

* [http://ta.wikisource.org/wiki/பொன்னியின்_செல்வன் Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan in Tamil Wikisource (Unicode)]
* [http://www.ponniyinselvan.in/novel-characters-f7/ Ponniyinselvan Facts and Fiction] - a series that analyzes the historic facts behind the fiction
* [http://www.chennailibrary.com/kalki/ponniyinselvan/ponniyinselvan.html Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan]
* [http://www.chennailibrary.com/kalki/sivakamiyinsabatham/ss.html Kalki's Sivakamiyin Sabatham]
* [http://www.chennailibrary.com/kalki/alaiosai/alaiosai.html Kalki's Alai Osai]
* [http://www.chennailibrary.com/kalki/kalvaninkaathali/kalvaninkaathali.html Kalki's Kalvanin Kaathali]
* [http://www.chennailibrary.com/kalki/parthibankanavu/parthibankanavu.html Kalki's Paarthibhan Kanavu]
* [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=294 Rajakesari - a historic novel in www.varalaaru.com (Unicode)]
* [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=518 Paisaasam - a historic novel in www.varalaaru.com (Unicode)]
* [http://www.varalaaru.com/Default.asp?articleid=697 Cherar Kottai (Rajakesari-II) - a historic novel in www.varalaaru.com (Unicode)]

External links

* [http://www.chennaibest.com/cityresources/Books_and_Hobbies/kalki.asp The Tamil Writer "Kalki"]
* [http://www.geocities.com/ponniyinselvan_kalki Writings of Kalki (in Tamil)]
* [http://www.tamilnation.org/hundredtamils/kalki.htm Kalki Krishnamurthy] - One Hundred Tamils of 20th Century
* [http://kalkiweekly.com/ Kalki - the weekly (Tamil)]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/ponniyinselvan Ponniyin Selvan (Kalki's Novel) Yahoo Groups]
* [http://www.ponniyinselvan.in Ponniyin Selvan (Kalki's Novel) Yahoo Groups Archive]