Book Reviews / Indian / Non-Fiction / Tamil Books

Pazhaya Kanakku (பழைய கணக்கு) – Book Review

Title: Pazhaya Kanakku
Author: Sa.Vishwanatha (Savi)
Language: Tamil
No. of Pages: 242
Format: eBook
Genre: Non-Fiction

I’m not sure how many would have heard his name. Few would have heard from Kamal’s or Crazy Mohan’s interview but when it comes to the Tamil Journalism the name “Savi” has made a mark. If we have Cho for Satire we have Savi for Comedy. I haven’t had a chance to read the weekly run by him but this book really is an outset to understand the person in his professional and personal life.

கயிற்றின் முனையில் லூஸாகப் பிரிந்து கிடக்கும் சில நூல்களைச் சேர்த்துத் திரித்து விட்டால் அந்தக் கயிறு முழுவதும் எப்படி முறுக்கேறி ‘சிக்’கென்று ஆகிவிடுகிறதோ, அத்தகைய பலத்தை அந்த ஒரு வரி உண்டாக்கி விடும். இந்தக் கலையில் கல்கி ஒரு மாமன்னன்.

Writer/Journalist Savi has worked with legends of Tamil Journalism industry like S.S. Vasan of Vikatan, Kalki. Krishnamoorthy of Kalki and he has inspired many writers. Writer Savi not only encouraged new writers but also played a bigger role in re-shaping Tamil weekly and dailies.

It is not easy for a legend like him to put so many things out in public. Being an important personality many would think a lot before talking about the mistakes they did while they were as kids or teens but Savi didn’t care two hoots. There were incidents where he mentioned about feeling sexually aroused by a girl from “Kuravar” caste which isn’t normal in Tamil scene owing to the High and low, class conflict.

உதவியாசிரியர் என்பவருக்கு முக்கியமாக ப்ரூஃப் திருத்தத் தெரிந்திருக்க வேண்டும். அரசியல், கலை விமரிசனம், பயணக் கட்டுரை, விகடத் துணுக்கு இதெல்லாம் எழுதத் தெரிய வேண்டும். சுருக்கமாகவும், தெளிவாகவும் எழுதுவது ரொம்ப முக்கியம். இவை எல்லாவற்றையும்விட கதைகளைப் படித்துத் தேர்ந்தெடுத்து அவற்றைக் குறைத்துக் கூட்டி ‘எடிட்’ செய்யும் திறமை ரொம்ப ரொம்ப முக்கியம்.”

This book is the collection of various incidents took place in his life at various points and each event is an episode. The reason, I was able to finish this book in a very short span was that of the easy language and the way he writes comedy. The man has a knack to make you laugh and I’m really looking forward to reading his novel “Washingtonil Thirumanam” which was published in Ananda Vikatan for 11 weeks without revealing the Author’s name until the last episode. Do grab this book for more interesting facts about then Political conditions, Journalism and its climate.

This marks the third non-fiction book of this year which really hooked me. I sort of started developing more love for non-fiction books these days. I strongly urge everyone who loves to know about Writer Savi and his life, the mistakes and learnings from his life. He not only learnt from them but he teaches us through this book.

Happy Reading 🙂

Interesting facts about Writer Savi was listed by Ananda Vikatan Tamil weekly and do give it a read.

Part – 1, Part – 2, Part – 3, Part – 4, Part – 5

Author

balapratipraj@outlook.com
A Salesperson by profession. I write about Movies, TV Shows, and Books. I plan to write and publish every week but often I give reasons to not write. Finding my way through exploring writing something else away from my comfort zone.

Comments

September 1, 2018 at 9:31 pm

I know Savi only by name and I have not read any of his books. Glad to read about him and I am checking the links right away. Thanks.

Gayathri @ Elgee Writes



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *