Tamil literature The history of Tamil literature in Singapore can be traced to the 1870s, when Tamil printing presses were first established. Tamil dailies and magazines proliferated and went on to play a vital role in the cultivation of Tamil literary talents. Publications such as Tamil Malar, Malaya Nanban, Tamil Nesan, Tamil Murasu, Singai Nesan and Singapore Express provided a forum for aspiring writers.

Most, if not all, of the early works were anthologies of poems, reflecting the higher status traditionally accorded to the genre. The very first volume of verse was written by Yazhpanam Vannai Nagar C.N. Sathasiva Pandit. In subsequent years, other writers contributed to the growth of Tamil literature in Singapore, notably N.V. Rangasamy Dasan with Kuthirai Pandhaya Laavani (Ode to Race Course) (1893), Ponnusamy Pillai with Sallaba Laavani (Amorous Ode) (1893), K. Velupillai with Singai Murugesar Pathigam (Devotional Poems for Singai Murugesar) (1893), and Mohamed Abdul Kader with Kirthanai Thirattu (Anthology of Devotional Songs) (1896). These volumes reflected the challenges faced by a migrant society.

The first few decades of the 20th century saw a slump in output. One reason was the lack of outlets for writers; the weekly publication Singai Nesan, which was first published in 1887 and had served as a showcase for aspiring poets and writers, ceased publication in 1890. The dominant theme of the few works published during this time was religion.

Tamil literature received a boost in the 1930s. The independence movement in India encouraged a greater social consciousness, and focus moved away from religious themes to narratives which were concerned with ideas of reform and progress. The Tamils Reform Association launched the monthly Seerthirutham (Reformation) in the 1930s. Writers such as N. Palanivelu and Singai Mukilan spread radical reformist ideas through prose and poetry. The period saw the growth of genres such as short stories, novels and plays, many of which appeared in Tamil Murasu. Its editor Govindasamy Sarangapany, popularly known as Thamizhavel, encouraged the development of Tamil literature through the paper.

During the Japanese Occupation, Singapore Tamil literature languished again, and Tamil Murasu ceased publication. The interim Azad Hind government, established by Subhas Chandra Bose with the help of the Indian National Army, which propounded an anti- imperialist ideology, whipped up political zeal in Singaporean writers like Fakrudin Sahib, S.I. Durai, R. Sreenivasan, Sarangapany and Mugilan, who contributed articles to local publications such as Independent India, Yuvabaratham and Suthanthira Uthayam. The primary theme of literary works written in this epoch was anti- colonialism, particularly with relation to Indian independence.

After 1945, there was a gradual but consistent growth in poetic output. Poetry of the 1950s was dominated by patriotic verses dedicated to the independence movement in India and also to Singaporean independence. From the 1960s, there were several poets writing ‘nature poems’ and poems written in praise of the Singaporean state and its leaders. A number of didactic verses were also written with a view to encouraging social reform.

In the latter half of the 1960s, education was a prominent theme. There were many Tamil dailies such as Malaya Nanban, and several dedicated scholars led by Sarangapany were instrumental in ensuring the growth of Tamil literature. Among the prominent figures involved were sub- editors of Tamil Murasu such as N. Devarajan, Murugadiyan, V.T. Arasu, Re Sreenivasan, M. Chidambaram, T. Selvaganapathy and Murugu Subramaniam. As a result of their efforts, many writers and poets were given a platform. These writers include P. Krishnan, who wrote and published under the pseudonym Puthumaithasan, R. Vetrivelu, R. Nagaiyan, P. Shanmugam, M.K. Thuraisingam and Jegadeesan.

Since 1965, there has been steady progress in the development of Tamil prose, with several short story compilations and plays being written and launched every year. Writers such as Naa. Govindasamy, Rama Kannabiran, M. Elangkannan, J.M. Sali, Nara Puthumaipittan, Tamilselvam and Pon Sundararaju have put Singapore on the international Tamil literary map.

Poetry has also developed significantly since Independence in 1965, with notable contributions from poets such as N. Palanivelu. Other poets who have made a mark include Murugadiyan, Samsudin, K. Perumal, M. Elamaran, V. Ikkuvanam, Peri Neela Palanivelan, P. Thiruvengadam, A Palani, A.P. Shanmugam, M.A. Masoothu, Parvathy Poobalan, Sugumaran and Narana Puthumai Piththan, Amallathasan and Naa. Aandeappan.

In the last few decades, marabukkavithai (traditional verse) has been surpassed in popularity by puthukkavithai (new poetry). Whereas marabukkavithai follows the rules of versification known as yappillakanam, puthukkavithai scorns such strictures. Practitioners of puthukkavithai believe that poetry should not be constrained or contained by rules of metre and versification. Poets writing in the traditional style such as K.T.M. Iqbal have switched over largely to new poetry. His anthology Mugavarigal (Addresses) contains poetry written in both styles. Iqbal is one of the few Tamil poets whose works have been translated into English, thereby giving a wider readership beyond the Tamil community access to his works.

Another notable pioneer of puthukkavithai is Elangovan, who is best known as a playwright and director working with Agni Kootthu (see also Tamil drama). His poetry collections Vizhi Sannalkalin Pinaallirunthu (Behind Windows of Eyes) (1979) and Maunavatham (Silent Annihilation) (1984) and the bilingual Transcreations (1988) are grim, sardonic critiques of local politics and social ills.

A younger generation of poets and writers is now contributing to the growth of Tamil literature, and it includes Amaruddin, Tajuddin, Muhamed Ali, Azhagiya Pandian, Latha, Shahul Hameed and Malarthamizh. Some, such as Pichinikkaadu Ilango and M. Anbazhagan, choose to write in both verse and prose. A new diversity of themes which includes gender, globalization and issues specific to the Indian community, such as the problems of the caste system, have also begun to make their way into Tamil literature written in Singapore.

Photo credit: National Arts Council