Vaniga Ilakkiyam
Name : Vaniga Ilakkiyam Author : Jeyamohan Year of Publication : 2022 Genre : Non-fiction, On Writing Rating : *** ( Three stars out of 5) Jeyamohan turns teacher in this short volume of essays which aspires to educate readers on the difference between "serious" literature and popular "literature". He traces the history of modern Tamil literature from 1950s when popular writers like Kalki and Akilan were treated as demi-gods while serious writers were read by a small group of readers. While Jeyamohan does not take the extreme stance of treating all popular literature as trash, he clearly delineates what separates real literature from ephemeral bestsellers. A good read for those who are distracted by the lantern of Akilans (or Chetan Bhagats) to march ahead and witness the glorious Sun of Ashokamitrans (or Tolstoys).