Remembering Sujatha

One of my early interests in reading tamil books sprang from the writings of Mr. Rangarajan, better and well-known as ‘Sujatha’. Born in Chennai and brought up in Srirangam, he grew up to be an Electronics Engineer. Thank God for his passion towards writing that we got a gem of a writer, who could practically write on everything under the sun.

There is nothing like cuddling up on the bed with a ‘Kolayuthir kaalam’ (a thriller fiction) or learning science through ‘Yen? Edharku? Eppadi?’ or imbibing knowledge and enjoying sarcasm on a warm afternoon with ‘Katradhum Petradhum’, or living the Srirangam life along with him through ‘Srirangathu Devadhaigal’ or deciphering the inner meaning of aandal pasurams on a margazhi morning. It is a treat to the brain. He makes you think, smile, reflect, understand, laugh, cry and enjoy.His humour and satire are also well-received.

His protagonists / heroes are mostly intelligent. They are a reflection of his own self – Ganesh from ‘ganesh-vasanth’ series, Thiruchelvan(Madhavan) from the movie ‘Kannatthil Mutthamittaal’ to quote a few. They are sensible, well-read and well-bred. They make good scientists, writers , lawyers and detectives. He makes you fall in love with his characters slowly and steadily – Madhumitha of ‘Pirivom sandhipom’,Vasanth from Ganesh-vasanth series( I love him!), Sylvia, yavanika(statue)- both from the stories of the same names, the athlete from 10 second muttham, are a case in point.  In fact, I have heard that his readers cried for one of his character’s (Madhumitha) death and named their daughters in her remembrance :)

Nylon kayiru, Kanavu thozhirchaalai,marina,Aaah! are some of his other famous fictional works one ought not to miss.

'Sujatha' Rangarajan

                    

What made him a favourite among many? 

His depth of knowledge, proficiency in the language, expertise in a variety of areas, the ability to connect with people through the local flavour, and his simplicity.

Some of my favourite dialogues from the movies he penned:

1.’Naan konjam nallava dhan. S-O-R-R-Y ’ and ‘En arumai pattikaade’ (Roja)

2.   a. Kid1:’Enaku bayama iruku..Bathroom varudhu’,

          kid 2:’Edhavadhu bayangarama nenachiko,seriya poidum’

      b. ‘Avar wife ku odambu seri illa. Mana noyaali’

      c. ‘Tharunam Appadi’
      d. ‘Unga rendu per la yaaru amma yaaru kozhandhai ne theriyala’

All the above form Kannatthil Mutthamittaal

3. Following from Anniyan:
 ‘Ner Vazhi Sutthu Kozhandhe’
 ‘5 kodi peru 5, 5 paisa va 5 kodi thadava thirudina?’ 

5. Following from Ayutha ezhuthu:

‘kadhal, keedhal, pattu, oviam, ellam bedroom la mudiyaradhuku. It's all related to hormones, verum organic chemistry -Testosterone, Oestrogen, Progestorone, X chromosome, Y chromosome,XY, YY.. mudinjudhu matter’

‘Therku Pakkam Surungiyum, Vadakku Pakkam Veengiyum iruke? Kaaranam enna? Idhu enna Boogola kolaara? boomiyoda kolaara? Illa..Poruladhaarathoda kolaaru’

‘Indha pakkam oru vellaikkaari, andha pakkam oru karuppi, naduvula nalavenba coaching’

6.‘That was a good interview’ (Mudhalvan)

7. The climax of endhiran( which is an adaptation of ‘en iniya iyanthira’ by Sujatha) where Chitti dismantles itself.

These are only the few that struck my mind right now, though there will be many more which would have brought a smile on our lips. Or made us think.

It is tough to stop with this, since no words are enough to portray the respect I have for this genius ( Oh! he invented the electronic voting machine, if you did not know!) . All that I can do is only pleasantly remember him on his anniversary and pay homage through this little post. 

P.S: I know his most famously quoted,mostly unknown 'Mexico Salavaikaari' Joke ;)