On the occasion of Thija’s birth centenary, we have begun this project to share audio readings of selected short stories. The stories are read by Thija’s daughter Uma Shankari. Once a week a story will be read, followed by a short discussion about what we liked in the story. Please find below direct links to each reading and discussion.
Pappavukku Parisu – Thija often featured children in his short stories. This is one such story in which he juxtaposes the perspective of a child and that of adults around her.
Anbu Vaitta Pillai – Thija explores the callousness of the son, his attempt at redemption in the universal theme of mother- children relationship.
Oru Chinna Vakku Vaadam – This humorous story is a ‘small’ conversation between a shop-keeper-pehelwan-theatre artist and his assistant, a weakling and how even the ‘weak’ can make the strong feel vulnerable.
Isai Payirchi – Carnatic musicians are often upper caste Hindus. Why must this be? What are the visible and invisible barriers and what does it take to challenge them? Thija provokes us to introspect.
Shanbagappoo – Magnolia Champaca (Shanbagappoo) is a beautiful flower with a heady and lingering fragrance and Thija uses it as an apt metaphor in this story featuring a young woman and an older couple observing the sudden turn of events in her life.
Godavari Gundu – Thija celebrates the idea that the joy in simple pleasures is for everyone irrespective of their life situation in this delightful and humor-filled short story.
Thavam – Does an act of penance always pay off? Thija explores this question through the story of a man who undertakes a 10 year long penance for a moment of desire.
Poochi Dialogue – Thija writes a parody examining life’s deep questions in this dialogue between two insects (Poochis). Listen in to their conversation.
Makkalai Eerththa Magarasar – This satirical commentary written by Thija in 1982 on the political culture in India rings true even today.
Erumai Pongal – “Why is there no Pongal Festival in our name?” Listen in to this conversation between two buffaloes which compels us to question our prejudices and exposes our double standards – all told with brilliant humour. Happy Pongal!
Payasam – Thija writes about the power and grip of a destructive emotion on our actions and serves us some payasam. Tune in to taste it!
Satthiyama! – A conversation between two little boys that ends in one of them making the other a “promise”. What was the promise? How does it end? Tune it to this simple conversation that dwells into the psyche of young children and their ways. A classic!
Ravanan Kaadhal -“If you touch a woman without her consent, your head will split into a hundred pieces”, thundered Brahma at Ravana. What happened that resulted in this curse? Thija uses a mythological story to explore if desire and expression of ‘natural instincts’ alone can justify violence.
Vengidisaar Yean Oodinaar? – Why did Vengidi Sir run? Find out listening to this poignant story of Thijaa.
Ghantaamani -In a moment of desperation, a man makes a promise to God. Fulfilling that promise continues to reminds him of the very act he is desperate to forget. Have a listen to Ghantaamani!
Atcharaabyasam – In this story, Thija describes with empathy that even when a person loses their mind, an awareness of what is theirs remains intact.
Santhaanam – Humans sometimes find a surrogate in another human or an animal to experience the gift of love from a child (santhaanam). Laced with humor and filled with keen observations, Thija tell us the story of “Santhaanam”. Listen in.
Nataraaja Kaal – Sitting in his easy chair with one leg crossed over the other, Ramadurai believes he is the protector of dharma and order in the world like Lord Shiva himself. Is the world really dancing to his tunes? Tune in to find out.
Jeevanaamsam – A young married woman decides to walk out of her marriage. How does she deal with the issue of alimony? Tune in to find out in this story written by Thija in 1950.
Aayah – Thija explores the grey area of what constitutes a crime in this interesting plot involving a baby sitter and her employers.
Kuzhandaikku juram – When his child has a raging fever, Saravanan vadiyaar sets out to get help from someone who owes him money. Did he get what he needed? Tune in to find out the twist.
Yaadhum Oore – A visiting sadhu breaks down upon hearing a story much to everyone’s surprise. Tune into this story where Thija explores the idea of sanyasam or renunciation with a hint of mischief.
Gopura Vilakku – The author walking back to his home in the darkness finds the temple door shut and is surprised that even the temple tower light (gopura vilakku) has been turned off! What is the reason, he wonders. In this well-known story, Thija crafts a moving drama on the circumstances that led to the switching off of the light that night while holding a mirror to the darkness within us.
Maadiyum Daadiyum – One day, a retired old bearded man has unexpected visitors seeking his advise. Was the advise useful? In his characteristic humour, ThiJa pens this lighthearted story that unfolds as they get talking.
Patchi Saastra Kili – In this delightful story where a hapless bird is rescued and reluctantly adopted by a family, Thija provokes us to think of what attachment and loyalty mean to humans and to the bird. Listen in!
Veyyil – The sudden, unexpected loss of a loved one leaves us with grief, lonely, barren and a flood of memories. An old man reminisces the day when his wife ran in the sweltering afternoon heat of a summer – for what he muses?! This story is dedicated to all those who lost someone near and dear in the recent year due to corona.
Portion Gaali – An unpardonable indecent act by the house owner! How could he even think of doing such a thing… at his age?! What made him do it? The author confronts him. In this unpublished story of his, Thija’s mischievous humor leaves us wondering if the house owner’s reasons for the act are indeed to be taken with a pinch of salt!
Kutcheri – In this charming story of a special friendship bound by the love for music between a 5 year old and a sangeetha vidwan and guru, Thija crafts an endearing story of trust with a rare mastery that leaves you smiling throughout!
Yoshiki – Thija travelled to Japan for two months in the 1960s and was very impressed by the country, its people and the culture. He then wrote a travelogue “Udaya Sooriyan” based on his experiences in Japan. This week, we share a short story which captures the essence of the country’s people.
Thedal – Ramaratnam, a true gentleman with sophisticated tastes and a pleasing manner befriends the author. A passing remark leads the author to question Ramaratnam’s intriguing past. Ramaratnam begins the search for the fragment of his past which he believes he too had forgotten. Where does his search lead him?
Sirukkadai Ezhudavadhu Eppadi? An essay that Thija wrote in 1969 for a magazine on how to write short stories. Drawing on interesting metaphors on the short story craft, a peek into the inner mind of Thija and his take on how a short story could be constructed. Also listen to the interesting anecdotes on how two of his famous stories, Silirpu and Ghantamani came about. In the end, Thija modestly wonders, if, barring one or two stories, the rest of his short stories can indeed be called good ones!
T. Janakiraman's Short Stories 