During the day Balasubramanian, a Ph D degree holder in Commerce, is an Assistant Professor at Dharmapuram Adhinam Arts and Science College at Tharangambadi. After his work hours, he dons the hat of a potter and sits before the wheel, skillfully making pots and earthenware. He has clients in...
After the film Jai Bhim was released, the oppression that Irular tribes face has come into the public eye. But, the Irulars had a leader more than 60 years ago who fought for their rights and that of other tribal people. His name was V R Jagannathan. Well educated, Jagannathan must have written...
The Archaeological Survey of India has given its nod to move the estampages of Tamil stone inscriptions from its Mysore office to Chennai in its order dated Jan. 6. With this order, the row over estampages of Tamil inscriptions has come full circle ever since it started in 2006. The row erupted...
Donkeys have been associated with human beings for ages. While horses were regal and associated with the rulers, donkeys were the common man’s means of transport. Donkeys have been with us carrying heavy loads meekly. Biblical references are plenty on donkeys. Jesus rode a colt to enter...
In the film, Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikesi, the king, played by Vadivelu, is happy that his spymaster has come to see him. There is a rebellion brewing in his kingdom and the spymaster could help him beat back the rebellion. An excited Vadivelu, who hails from Madurai, welcomes Vathakodari, the...
“No matter how big or ferocious your bull is, it will be tamed in the arena unless you have someone influential sitting in the gallery who doesn’t want the bull to be tamed,” says Ravi (name changed) with a giggle on the other end of the phone. Ravi was once a bull tamer and is now working at a...
Tamil Nadu has a long history of opposition to Hindi imposition. Every now and then, a controversy breaks out about the central government’s attempts to impose Hindi. It is worthwhile recalling an essay written by writer R Narayanaswamy, aka Karichan Kunju, in the publication, Annam Vidum...
Clad in saffron dhoti and shirt, Vijay doesn’t look the part. He is not too muscular although he has long fingers and hands. “Muscle mass doesn’t matter. You should be agile and have lasting stamina to stay in the arena,” the 24-year-old graduate from Kuruvithurai in Madurai district said. You...
An interesting question in food and nutrition history is how many lives, energy and time has gone into finding out what is edible and non-edible. What we eat or bring to our plates represents our culture, tradition, prosperity and wealth as well as our health. Food is the indicator of our...
Poet Bharathi has said in a poem that it is useless to worry about the past and asked that he should be reborn so that he can shape a better future. Those words can inspire us to welcome this new year with much hope. At the same time, G Nagarajan, a prominent writer of Tamil Nadu, wrote that...
