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My Next Set of Books Released. I Seek Your Wishes And Blessings!

Discussion in 'Varalotti Rengasamy's Short & Serial Stories' started by varalotti, Jan 5, 2007.

  1. varalotti

    varalotti IL Hall of Fame

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    Thanks Again, Laxmi!

    Hello Laxmi,
    Nice words. That you are reading the books as my fan and not as a moderator. Did you get all the five books, or the latest two?
    Whatever it is I am eagerly looking forward to your reviews.
    Thanks again,
    sridhar
     
  2. Laxmi

    Laxmi Administrator Staff Member Platinum IL'ite

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    Manase Manase...

    Hello Sridhar
    I bought only the latest two books of yours Manase Manase, kathavai thira and Kalam Kanda Veerarkalin Kathal kathaikal.

    Manase.. had the right balance of soft romantics interleaved with dark spirituality. One moment did enjoy the romantic dialogues between Sethu and Saradha. The very next moment had goosepimples reading about plates flying high in the air, water jugs floating high. Looks like you have a well researched book with quotes about such real life incidents.
    I somehow had your picture in mind when I was reading about Sethu. All the characterisitics of Sethu-like respecting parents, valuing work satisfaction, thinking clearly and logically even in crisis situation - reminds me so much of you.

    Yes I did enjoy the Tamil version more than the Haunted House. Not that the English version was any lesser. Reading in your mother tongue gives one an immense pleasure, similar to visiting one's native place. No denying the fact that we all enjoying going to exotic foreign locations but at the end of it all we do wish to come back to our native place, home sweet home. Reading the Haunted House was visiting foreign location and reading Manase Manase was visiting your home town.

    As an ordinary fan I could not think of better analogy but as a writer you must be knowing better.

    The theme was very touching and the scene in which Sandhya confesses moved me to tears. What happened to Sandhya was very shocking. Hoping ( I know I am hoping for too much) that such incidents are only in writer's imagination and does not happen in the real world.
     
  3. Laxmi

    Laxmi Administrator Staff Member Platinum IL'ite

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    Kalam Kanda Veeraarkalin Kathal kathai

    Hello Sridhar,
    I read both the books in one go but took some time to post the feedback. I could not put the book down until I was through with it. Sure you msut have enjoyed translating such wonderful book.
    The episode I liked the most was "Kathalae Jayam". I was moved with the higher officer's sincere efforts and genuine interest in his kadai nilai veeran and how he goes out of the way to put his soldier's love track into marriage.

    The book is an eye opener and made me realise the sacrifice the soldiers make. The true heroes or rather heroines are their wives who let their lovers place the interest of nation at a higher level than their own.
    In "Mattran thottathu kathal Mailigai" episode the poems were out of the world. Your efforts are visible in the translation of the love letters and poems. Should have given you a tougher time but nonethless must have enjoyed it too.
    Also it pains a lot to read about the soldier not allowed to pay his last salutation in the form of flowers to his nephew.
    Looking forward and praying God that more of your books be published.
    Ladies, if you get a chance to get these two book of Varalotti do not miss the reading pleasure.
     
  4. varalotti

    varalotti IL Hall of Fame

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    A Rave Review From You Means A Lot To Me, Laxmi!

    Hello Laxmi,
    I saw you replying to this thread and was patiently waiting for you to finish. The greatest honour you can do to a writer is to read his story with perfect involvement. I find even profesional reviewers do not do that nowadays. But you have done that.

    I even thought that you might skip reading Manase because you have already read the English version. But you proved me wrong by reading it first. And you proved yourself a very creative person by comparing the Home Town and Foreign land. I cant think of a better simile than that.

    Even Tagore said that reading a writers work in his mother tongue (and in the readers mother tongue) is like getting an University Degree from the Chancellor whereas reading it in another language is like getting the degree from the postman.

    Yes, Sandhya's confession scene is very touching. I wrote and rewrote the scene several times. I cried for that scene and for the final scene when Sethu says about their second child.

    Sandhyas are there in the real world also. I shiver in rage when I hear about child abuse. But the society has many such perverts. Had I been in power I would sentence those offenders to the most cruel punishment that one can ever think of. When I was studying criminal law for my BGL course many times I could not focus on the cases reported, because it would be so inhuman.
    For instance in a case in Punjab High Court, where a person was charged of offending the modesty of a three year old girl. (a case of attempted rape) the defence counsel argued that a 3 year old girl cannot have feminine modesty. I would love to have that person and that lawyer hanged by the same rope.

    Thanks, Laxmi
    regards,
    sridhar
     
  5. sudhavnarasimhan

    sudhavnarasimhan Silver IL'ite

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    Dear Sridhar,
    I would like to first congratulate you on the release of these 2 books , ....a wonderful beginning in the new year! I guess i iss this announce ment since i was on a holiday. But i have the books with me. I have read the intro on ILites in Manase.....felt proud to be a part of that family....and having read all your episodes every saturday and having all the fun and excitement....all those memories were back with me, though is is hardly a year ago! But i am not going to read the book, when i am alone....i know it will scare me,if i read at one go!
    I started the Kaadhal Kathaigal, thinking wow, romantic love sories! But only later i realised that along with romance there are other more pwoerful emotions involved, in the lives of these war heroes and their families.
    Of course the intro was as usual wonderful, explaining your feelings about translation, and your appreciation of the original! Also liked the translation for the poem on India n the beginning!
    I have read only the second story and i must say that Brigadier Baily, character still is alive in my mind.......i could appreciate the effort you have taken in Translating.
    Also i think that it is good that you have translated them, now more people can read and appreciate the war heroes!
    I would like to complete all the stories before i come back....which can take some time....!:oops:
    Congrats and keep up the good work!
     
  6. varalotti

    varalotti IL Hall of Fame

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    Thanks Is Not the Word, Laxmi!

    Hello Laxmi,
    While replying to your earlier FB I had originally suggested that you should soon read the other book. But as I posted it I saw your FB on the Kalam Kanda.... I am very happy, Laxmi, that you were able to read the books in one go.
    Yes, I loved translating the book. During the one month period I was engaged in the work, I was in a state of trance. I will be sitting before my laptop with tears in my eyes and furiously working on the keys. In fact I wrote to a friend in IL that the whole system is skewed. For this work I should pay a "reverse-royalty" to the publisher. Whereas I get paid for this also.

    I also loved Kaathale Jeyam. I took maximum liberties with translation in this story. When the higher officer tells the other officer to give all help for the soldiers love to succeed, I introduced almost a paragraph on my own, to describe the feelings of that officer. His taking a step back and saluting him with his heart swelling in pride are all my imagination. But I need not have to struggle for it. When I placed myself in the captains place the paragraph came on its own.

    The moment I saw the poems I called up the publisher and asked him to get another person, preferably a poet to do the translation. But he was very clear. He insisted that the entire work should be mine. But when I actually took up the work I did not find it difficult. The poems were so soft and so good, that the Tamil words just flowed in to the screen.

    You kindled the sweet memories of August 2006 when I wrote this translation work.
    Thanks for the time, the effort and for the nice words, Laxmi.
    regards,
    sridhar
     
  7. varalotti

    varalotti IL Hall of Fame

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    Thanks, Sudha!

    Dear Sudha,
    Thanks a lot for your post and for your feedback.
    As Laxmi has pointed out Manase is better than The Haunted House, because all said and done, your mother tongue is your mother tongue. The expressions are imprinted in your genes for generations and hence natural. I am surprised (and a little flattered too) to know that even now the book scares you.
    When I told my brother in Chennai not to read the book at night, or when alone, he asked me why. I told him that he might be frightened.
    And then he replied with his characteristic sense of humour,
    "I am not even frightened by you. How do you think will I be frightened by your words?"
    ha ha ha
    About the other book, it is nice to know that you have read the second story. You may read the last story, and the story Kaadhale Jeyam (which is picked up by Laxmi) and the best is the longest story in the book. Kadhaisolligal story also offers something profound.
    Looking forward to your FBs on other stories.
    regards,
    sridhar
     
  8. Preethi

    Preethi Gold IL'ite

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    Purchased your books.

    Varalotti,

    First of all, let me admit, I feel very bad for not being in a position to give you my regular feed-backs for all your recent post, as am currently on vacation and am not using my internet effectively. I hardly get time to check IL and devote time for replies amidst my busy outing schedules. I hope to be regular in my communications to you, on your post, upon my return, which would be sometime during beginning of next month.

    I wanted to let you know that I have purchased your books (both of them) during this trip and going to take them back with me. I only wish I had the chance to meet you in person in chennai, to get your signature on both your books (shall I call it autograph???) ! The book's cover picture are very impressive and am looking forward to read both your stories.

    Will surely give my feedback for these two books, once I complete them.

    Regards,
    Preethi
     
  9. varalotti

    varalotti IL Hall of Fame

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    Re: Purchased your books.

    Preethi,

    Very happy to learn that you have bought my books. Have a nice vacation. Let the FBs wait. Enjoy your vacation time to the fullest.

    Eagerly looking forward to your feedbacks. I would suggest that you read Kalam Kanda Veerarhalin first. There are 15 love stories there. Each one is different. I am sure you will have a happy time reading them, as I had while translating them.

    Regards to Prem,
    varalotti
     
  10. paanzaa

    paanzaa Gold IL'ite

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    Your story in Anandavikatan this weekend was good-the escort who had a soft heart!
     

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