Article 4 - A tribute to my favorite author Sujatha

Sujatha Rangarajan - famous writer,author,thinker who shined in Tamil literature,magazines,novels and cinema for over forty years.  His works varied from simple poems to science fiction novels, short stories to historical fiction,drama characters to ultra modern villain characters,normal writing to script or screenplay writer for mega hit Tamil Movies. Every one will feel his magic touch of pen in his written works and golden touch of tongue in his punch dialogues applied in movies. He is proficient in using techno thriller words through out his science fiction related movies or novels or books.

Sujatha's Works Liked By Me

I loved reading each and every bit of his section which came as series in famous Tamil magazines Ananda Vikatan, Kumudam, Kungumam. Especially Katradhum Petradhum, Sujatha Bathilgal impressed me with his unique way of answering questions. He is awesome in writing haiku poetry – definitely we will fall for his one line punch. Even its a one line punch, there is a message for the whole life :)

We cannot forget the dialogue deliveries penned by Sujatha for South Indian Ace Director Shankar movies – Indian, Sivaji and Enthiran.The science fiction stories written by him is based on cognitive estrangement. He pulls the readers to an estranged world which they cannot predict. But most of the predicted science fiction stories written by him in 1980's had come true now and most of them are yet to come.Also his stories cover different methodologies like implied flashback, placing ancient ritual in modern settings, letter narration, imaginary world, humor, emotion, family drama,urban trend etc. He also had written a short series taking examples from his own native place Srirangam titled “Srirangathu Devathaigal”

Some of his important works liked by me are:

• En Iniya Enthira which is the inspiration for Super Star Movie Enthiran…
• Meendum Jeano – Sequel to En Iniya Enthira
• Kadavul Irukkirara
• Sujatha Short Stories Collection
• Katrathum Petrathum
• Sujatha Q & A – Yean Etharkku Eppadi (Why What & How?)
• Srirangathu Devathaigal
• Aah
• Niravana Nagaram
• Aayirathil Iruvar
• Sujatha who used his wife’s name as first name when ever he penned his creations – S. Rangarajan changed to Sujatha Rangarajan.

Sujatha's Role in Tamil Movies

His role as script/screenplay writer and dialogue for Tamil movies is stupendous and thrilling. Below are a list of mega hit movies where his dialogues or screen play gave some life to the characters:

1. Enthiran a.k.a Robot
2. Dasavatharam
3. Billa
4. Sivaji
5. Anniyan
6. Boys
7. Mudhalvan
8. Indian
9. Kandukondein Kandukondein
10. Roja
11. Iruvar
12. Uyirae
13. Kannathil Muthamittal
14. Ayutha Ezhuthu
15. Vikram
16. Ninaithaley Inikkum

Little known drops about Sujatha

• Sujatha was the favorite writer for South Indian Ace directors Manirathnam, Shankar ,and Actor Kamal haasan too.
• Sujatha was the college classmate of former Indian President A.P.J Abdul Kalaam.
• Sujatha had written more than 150 short stories ranging from serious science fiction to humorous humble society .His first story was published in a magazine called 'Sivaji' in 1953 when he was 18.

Still I am yet to read lot of his books, novels, debating topics, his future thoughts on science and evolution of technology and short stories. May be I will share my feedback on his works in detail in my future blog posts. 

-- Siva