Sri Mahavira Vaibhavam of Swami Desika – Raghavacharya Swami – English translation by M.K. Srinivasan (Sri Nrisimhapriya Trust, 30, Venkatesa Agraharam, Mylapore, Chennai-4; ph: 044-2461 1540; Rs. 200)
This is an exhaustive commentary on Sri Desika's work which originally appeared in a serial form in Sri Nrisimhapriya years ago. Sri Desika compressed the entire Ramayana in 93 churnikas or addresses to Lord Rama in a style that could be termed poetic prose. No episode is omitted and at the same time, the original flavour and meaning of the epic is retained in the work.
The book is also available in Tamil.
Meetchi -- Short Stories by Vaasanthi (Kavitha Publication, Chennai (2436 4243), Rs. 70)
Known for her sensitive portrayal of human nature, Vaasanthi chooses eleven different situations to elicit reactions and responses. Love, compassion and generosity vie with ego, selfishness and indifference bordering on cruelty. The Woman is the protagonist, the injustice meted out to her the theme in most of the author's stories and this collection is no exception. “If the stories make an impact, however small it may be, on the reader, I'll feel vindicated,” says the author in the preface. They do.
Indiya Sirukadhaigal (1900-2000), Compiled by E.V. Ramakrishnan, in Tamil by Prem (Sahitya Akademi, Rs. 325)
This collection is India in a microcosm. Sourced from across the country, short stories in all the languages spoken, including Tulu, Assamese, Manipuri and Maithili have been translated into Tamil. A brief introduction of the author precedes each story.
The list includes Masti Venkatesa Iyengar, Thakazhi Sivasankaran Pillai, Pemchand, Mouni and Chalam.
(Compiled by GV & SGP)
