Sangam Literature Adaptation! by Dr Prabhakarababu

Kavignar Prabhakarababu has been a staunch reader. His undercurrent has been in Creative Writing and shown attachment towards literary works of renowned world poets/dramatists/philosophers/story tellers viz. John Keats, Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, William Blake, Robert Byrons, Tennyson, Shakespeare, Socrates, Leo Tolstoy, Emerson, Jonathan Swift, Buffen, O.Henry etc. He did realise that the original creative chase literatures of Tamil poets are not understood or quoted by overseas authors as we do of above said creators. He adores Kavignar Kannadasan for his purposeful and meaningful philosophical poetry for class as well as mass. Prabhakarababu has made contributions principally in poetry, apart from occasional contributions in short stories, Stage Dramas, essays/articles, anecdotes, humours etc.

Kavignar Prabhakarababu authored 5 books of his own Tamil poems consisting of traditional poems and modern verses, which were well acknowledged literary world. Most of poems revolve around social and youth/women empowerment.

Having done substantial literary achievements in poetry, he has felt the necessity to let known the Sangam Poetry to common public. Ancient Sangam Poetry belonging to 3 BC to 2 BC which was held in the exclusive shelves of a few was transformed into modern verse by Prabhakarababu. First such recast work done by him in Pathu Paattu (10 idylls) became a grand success and acclaimed as a welcome addition to the Tamil literature. He works drawn attention of print/visual/net media and he was invited for interviews on his recast experience in Sangam Literature. Encouraged by the response from educationist, academicians, authors, poets and public, he has continued his recast work with Kurunthogai (400 poems) and recast in his own style in modern verse which again received big welcome and appreciations from book reviews in leading magazines. With his unique style of recast works, he has continued with recast of Muthollayiram, Aingurunooru (500 poems), Natrinai (400 poems) and there was no look back. Due to his shrewdness, he could penetrate into the traditions verses of Sangam poetry and hence his Varpilakkiyam (recast) could be made possible.

 He gained a unique reputation as specialised recast author and made comfortable inroad into Sangam Poetry. The recast modern verse of Sangam Poetry can be understood anybody with normal literary understandings. His works on Kurunthogai brought him Best Book Award for Kurunthogai from Tamil Writers Welfare Trust (2005) and his works on Pathu Paattu was selected as the best and Best Book award was granted by Ulagalaviya Unnadha Manida Neya Seva Maiyam (2003).



Prabhakarababu


The pathu paattu recast was greatly appreciated under Book Review under title “Adaptation of Sangam Poetry” by The Hindu daily (2003).  In the words of The Hindu,

 “…………… A lay Tamil reader cannot easily understand the original text of the Sangam works due to linguistic changes that have occurred in Tamil during the past several centuries. Hence this work will be very useful.

He has presented the idylls in contemporary Tamil making use of the free verse form without sacrificing the original contents and the literary flavour. Although the work is a kind of adaptation, it appears as though it is an original literary work.

After acquiring a reasonably good understanding of the 10 idylls, the author has freely recast them in modern Tamil in 10 volumes. The present work, no doubt, is an outcome of hard work and good literary skill. A welcome addition to modern Tamil literature!”

The Hindu has subsequently interviewed the poet exclusively for his literary milestones.

 The recast literature (Vaarpu Ilakkiyam) books were reviewed by Dhinamalar, Dinakaran, Kalki, Thuglaq, Tamilan Express, Dinamani, Kumudam, Pudhiya Vanigam, Pen Ulagam, Vasantham etc and other small magazines also.

http://www.hindu.com/br/2003/12/16/index.htm