Ramaswamy Krishnamurthy (9 September 1899 – 5 December 1954), better known by his pen name Kalki, was an Indian writer, journalist, poet, critic and Indian independence activist who wrote in Tamil. He chose the pen-name "Kalki", the future incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu.[1] He founded a magazine, which was also named Kalki, with T Sadasivam being the co-founder, in 1941. Krishnamurthy‘s writings include over 120 short stories, 10 novellas, 5 novels, 3 historical romances, editorial and political writings and hundreds of film and music reviews.
Early life
Ramaswamy Krishnamurthy was born in a Brahmin family on 9 September 1899 in Puthamangalam, near Manalmedu, in Mayiladuthurai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Krishnamurthy's father was Ramaswamy Aiyar, an accountant in Puttamangalam village in the old Tanjore district of erstwhile Madras Presidency. He began his primary education in his village school and later attended Municipal High School in Mayavaram but quit in 1921, just short of completion of his Senior School Leaving Certificate, in response to Mahatma Gandhi's 1921 call for non-co-operation joining the Indian National Congress instead.[2][3]
His son Kalki Rajendran was married to Sadasivam's daughter Vijaya. Krishnamurthy's daughter Anandi was married to Sadasivam's nephew (sister's son) Ramachandran, known as Ambi in music circles. Anandi's daughter Gowri Ramanarayanan was a music critic for The Hindu newspaper, and she also learned music under M S Subbulakshmi.[4]
Literary work
Krishnamurthy started writing fiction stories in Navaskthi in 1923 where he worked as a sub editor. He was working under the tutelage of Thiru Vi Ka when he published his first book in 1927. He started working with C Rajagopalachari in Thiruchengode in Gandhi Ashram. He published Vimochanam along with Rajaji, a journal propagating liquor prohibition. He was working in freedom struggle and during 1931, he was jailed for six months. He joined Ananda Vikatan, a popular Tamil magazine along with editor S S Vasan. He became very popular as a critic, witty author, political commentator and short story writer. He wrote under various pen names like "Kalki", "Ra. Ki", "Tamil Theni" and "Karnatkam". He left Ananda Vikatan and joined freedom struggle in 1941. On his release, he and Sadasivam started a weekly named Kalki. He was the editor in the journal till his death on 5 December 1954.[5]
This story is about two strangers – a young man and a young woman – who meet on a train from Tirunelveli to Chennai. The woman is originally from Sri Lanka and the man is from Madras (now Chennai). They have failed in their respective exams and plan to end their life. Things take a different turn from here and all ends well.
3
Theepiditha Kudisaigal
4
Pudhu Ovarsiyar
5
Vasdhadhu Venu
6
Amara Vazhvu
7
Sunduvin Sanyasam
8
Thirudan Magan Thirudan
9
Imayamalai Engal Malai
10
Pongumaangkadal
11
Master Medhuvadai
Collection of 5 short stories
12
Pushpa Pallaaku
13
Prabala Nakchatiram
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Pithalai Ottiyanam
15
Arunachalathin Aluval
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Parisil Thurai
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Susila MA
18
Kamalavin Kalyanam
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Tharkolai
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S.S.Menaka
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Saradhaiyin Thandhiram
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Governor Vijayam
23
Kanaiyazhiyin Kanavu
24
Banker Vinayakarao
25
Tiger King
The story revolves around a King whose death at the hands of a tiger had been foretold by astrologers when he was born. He tries to reverse the fate spelled out for him and the author uses thinly-veiled satire to walk the reader through the King's attempts which later prove futile, in a manner that makes them laugh.
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Punnaivanthupuli
27
Devakiyin kanavan
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onbathu kulinilam
29
number 888
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Thiruvazhundhur sivakozhundhu
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Zamindar Mahan
32
Mayilak kalai
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Rnagathurkam Raja
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Idintha kottai
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Mayilvizhi maan
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Thappili cup
37
Kethariyin Thaayar
38
Gandhimadhiyin kadalan
39
Srikandhan punarjenmam
40
Paladaindha Bangala
41
Chandramathi
42
Chiranjeevi kadhai
43
Kadithamum kaneerum
44
Vaira mothiram(Kaanama pogaathathu)
45
Veenai Bavani
46
Dhanakodiyin Manoratham
Critical work
Krishnamurthy was also a film and music critic, writing under the pseudonym "Karnatkam".[citation needed] He also penned lyrics for many songs, most of which were adapted into Carnatic Music.[citation needed]
Honours
The release of a postage stamp in honour of Krishnamurthy was among the highlights of the centenary celebrations. Government of Tamil Nadu announced the nationalisation of Krishnamurthy‘s works, this will enable publishers to produce reprints of his works.
Krishnamuthy had the Sangeetha Kalasikhamani award conferred on him by The Indian Fine Arts Society in 1953.
Death
Krishnamurthy died in Chennai on 5 December 1954 aged 55 years from tuberculosis. Kalki magazine's special issue for Annai Sarada Devi, dated the day Krishnamurthy died, was his last editorial work. The magazine shared the information that his health was improving prior to his demise.[8]
Legacy
Various individuals including veteran actor, director, philanthropist and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. G. Ramachandran; actor, director and politician, Kamal Haasan; and director Mani Ratnam, have tried to adapt Krishnamurthy's novel Ponniyin Selvan, into a film at various stages, but only Mani Ratnam has succeeded so far. The first part of Mani Ratnam's two-part film was released on 30 September 2022 as Ponniyin Selvan: I, and second part was released on 28 April 2023 as Ponniyin Selvan: II.
^Sundaram, MRM (1999) [1976]. Poṉṉiyiṉ putalvar பொன்னியின் புதல்வர் [The great son of Ponni] (in Tamil) (2nd ed.). Chennai: Vāṉati Patippakam.
^"Third edition biography on Kalki released". Cities: Chennai. The New Indian Express. Express News Service. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015. The 912-page hard-bound volume, brought out by Vanathi Pathipagam, is priced at `450. With a preface by 'Kalki' K Rajendran on how the biography was born, the back cover shows 'Kalki', conceiving Alai Osai, a famous novel set against the background of India's freedom struggle. The first edition was brought out in 1976 and the second in 1999.
