Chennai: This Tamil New Year what better way to begin the celebrations than meeting one of the most celebrated authors in recent times – Pattukottai Prabhakar.
Popularly known as the ‘king of crime novels’, Prabhakar, who is a resident of Canal Bank Road, Kasthurba Nagar, shares his plans for the auspicious day.
“This 14 April is going to be a special one, as we are celebrating the naming ceremony of my grandson. The preparations for the same are underway,” he says.
So how does the famed author usually mark the new year?
“I believe everyday is a celebration. On this day however, we visit the temple as a family, watch TV programmes, particularly the ‘patti mandram’ and eat out or catch a movie at a theatre,” he says.
Speaking of cinema, Prabhakar’s last venture, ‘Imaikkaa Nodigal’, for which he wrote the dialogues, was a huge success.
His upcoming project is ‘Kaappaan’ with director K V Anand, starring actor Surya and two other untitled projects, it is learnt.
About what he thinks on language and literature today, the author who had agreed to an interview, only if the “interaction was in Tamil,” says, “The best thing I embrace about being a Tamilian, is the Virunthombal (hospitality) we practise. We also have a beautiful language. But today, it has a lot of external influences. No one speaks in Tamil fully. Children are enrolled in English medium schools. Only a small percentage study otherwise. One can even visit stores (in shopping complexes) and find just two racks for regional books.Ā People give attention to local authors only during a ten day fair.”
Pointing out that the English New Year is more celebrated than 14 April, he states, “There are discounts, sales and parties being organised that time. What is being held for its Tamil counterpart? This is seen just as a holiday, and surely less as a celebration.”