Chennai: If you happen to step into S Ramakrishnan’s office at Saligramam, you are greeted by walls of shelves hoarding hundreds of books, several stacks of paper, a computer nestled over a desk and a noticeboard with sticky notes. Here is where the prolific Tamil writer crafts a world of his own with inks of creativity.
Ramakrishnan made heads turn last year when he was awarded the Sahitya Akademi award for his novel Sanjaaram, based on the lives of Nadaswaram players. He also bagged the Tagore Literary Award for his novel Yaamam in 2007.
Hailing from Virudhunagar, Ramakrishnan grew up in a family who sowed the habit of reading into his mind from a very young age. ”My grandparents made a huge impact in my life,” he recalls, while speaking to News Today.
”They read many books and encouraged me to do the same. This hobby soon nurtured me to write. I started taking part in essay writing competitions in school. Later, when I pursued UG in English Literature, I decided to become a writer,” he says.
To hone his skill for writing, Ramakrishnan felt the need to gain more experience in his life and thus he decided to travel. ”I have travelled across India extensively and have visited numerous places and met several interesting people,” he says.
”As a writer, I feel its obligatory for us to understand human emotions. Travelling widens your thoughts and makes you more empathetic,” he adds.
In the last three decades, Ramakrishnan has penned over 135 books in varied genres that explores multiple themes. His love for words are not just printed as books but he has also breathed life into movies as a screenwriter for Tamil films like Unnale Unnale, Bheemaa, Dhaam Dhoom, and many more.
Even after achieving literary stardom, Ramakrishnan continues to write every day. ”Just like how an athlete practices every day in an empty stadium before the final race, so should a writer write every day,” he says.
”Writing is an art that gets better only through hardwork and continuous practice. There is no other way to succeed. Writers should read and write without fail.”
Visit his blog www.sramakrishnan.com or email at [email protected].