Tamil classic ‘Generations’ is the story of Thamizh-speaking Chettiars

GJV Prasad

This publication is the result of a wonderful initiative to ensure that selected classics of Thamizh literature are available in English. Thus, even older translations are given a new lease of life thanks to this project by the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation. I wish other governments would follow this example. This translation of ‘Talaimuraikal’ (1968), which came out as ‘Generations’ in 1972 (published by the pioneering Hind Pocket Books), gets its latest lease of life by Niyogi Books in collaboration with TNTB&ESC.

Ka. Naa. Subramaniam’s wonderful translation has had another reprint earlier as part of the Macmillan Series in 1997. It is good to see it reprinted in this well brought out edition, with a pleasing cover by Misha Oberoi.

‘Generations’ is about Thamizh-speaking Chettiars who have settled in Eraniyal, on the border with modern-day Kerala, but which was part of (Malayalam-speaking) Travancore before Independence, the times in which the novel is set. This is the story of an inward-looking community, of an almost besieged family which, in the words of Vasantha Surya, “has loved its traditions not wisely, but too well”. Surya’s introduction sets the stage for the readers, especially since she talks of the Thamizh version, including narrative traditions and language use — how Neela Padmanabhan uses the spoken language of the region and the community which shows the impact of Malayalam.

While the protagonist may be seen as the community itself, three generations of the family whose lives are of central interest, the narrative itself stays close to Diravi, the boy who grows up in the course of the novel to be a sensitive and responsible man, one who tries to fight against the ways of his community, mainly trying to work for gender equity while being pragmatic about the ways of his world. The world is changing around them, while the community holds on fast to its now outmoded sense of traditions and community harmony, based on the assertion of the privileges of wealth and gender.

The (foundational) myth about this community, the Chettis of the seven towns, is that they migrated to the Malayalam-speaking territory to flee from a king who desired two clever daughters of the community. The girls had been martyred ensuring their purity, and the community had migrated — holding on tight to their traditions and ways of life. The houses of the Chettis are so structured as to ensure that women live in seclusion, with young unmarried women living in darkness of the inner quarters once they attain puberty. The women are not educated (shut up as they are in the house) and their only way out is through marriage. They are totally dependent on men and are treated as chattel, easily discarded and with no ways to fight against injustice. Their life comes alive in public only around rituals where they have a role to play.

All this strikes Diravi as he sees his family struggle to maintain their status, while slipping into poverty and debt, having three daughters to marry off with him as the only son. To add to their woes, Diravi’s sister, whose marriage occasions great expense, is soon back at home accused of not being a woman for she had not conceived a child soon enough. The sorrow that this causes weighs the family down, none more so than Diravi. Indeed, it is concern for his sister Nagu that acts as a catalyst for Diravi, changing him into a critical insider, one who learns to appreciate those who challenge the rules and regulations of an unjust society, and to seek advice and help outside the community.

He makes his way in the world as a school teacher, fighting and failing tragically to arrange a second marriage for Nagu (his friend Kuttalam was not just willing to marry her, but had proposed it) and marrying his last sister off, even if it means losing their house and land. The novel ends with Nagu and Diravi leaving along with their parents for his new posting to rebuild their lives.

This is a book to savour, to fall into the rhythms of community life. The translation reads well, though this was an opportunity to get rid of the few proof-reading errors handed down the various editions.