இலக்கிய உலகில் ஓர் அருணோதயம்...Arunan Ayya. ...1924-2023

Dec, 2024.

Centenary celebrations of the legend, pioneer in publishing arena from Chettinad, Shri Arunan.

His love for the language Tamil wanted to see him as a poet. But Almighty had a grander plan that He wished Ayya Arunan to be shining Publisher.

The list of Authors he introduced reads the who's whos in the literary world. Right from legend poet Kaviarasar Kannadasan, popular and famous Novelists Madam Ramani Chandran, Pattukkottai Prabhakar and many more.

In felicitation function Shri Prabhakar referred to a famous saying of Prophet Mohammad. The crux of the saying is you shouldn't keep the tiller of your field waiting for his wages. He should be paid his due wage so fast before the sweat drops on his forehead fall on the land. The writer recalled Ayya Arunan literally living the adage of Prophet Mohammad. Ayya, in fact, paid the writer instantly even before the writer's work was sent for printing.

Ayya had rare acumen. Any one - with flair for writing - aspiring to start could confidently knock his doors. The moment the manuscript was given, he would rush through and come to the conclusion whether that was worthy as a read and publishing. Once he decided, even if the writer was a first timer, if Ayya was convinced, the writer would get his royalty right at the first meeting even the before the work awaited printing and publishing.

His publishing house Arunodayam, one of the earliest, continues to birth many new titles not only by celebrated writers but also by the first time writers.

He was born in 1924 to proud parents Lakshmanan Chettiar and Seethai Achi at Devakottai.

Ayya got married at tender age of 8, those Balya Vivaha era.

He participated in freedom struggle. When Mahatma was arrested by British Police, Ayya was on forefront in the protest condemning. When the freedom fighter Shri Chinna Annamalai was imprisoned at Tiruvadanai, peole thronged the jail, broke open and released him. The British Police were frantically searching jail breakers including Ayya Arunan.

Fearing Ayya's arrest, Ayya's father in law requested Shri Kayambu Ambalakarar, Vetriyur to keep Ayya under his safe custody. Thanks to Shri Chinna Annamalai Ayya, Arunan Ayya, in his literary field, had the pleasure of association and working with stalwarts, Shri Rajaji, great leader and mentor of great leader Kamaraj, Shri Satya murthi, Poets Namakkal Ramalingam Pillai, Bharathidasan, Kalki, and many more.

His publishing career chronicle:

[ ] Began his career in Shri Chinna Annamalai Ayya's publishing house, 'Tamil Pannai'. Tamil Pannai was a Partnership of the trio, Messers Chinna Annamalai, Azad Hind Lena and Pallaththur Veerappa Chettiar.

[ ] 1944 Arunan Ayya's first Book Shop by name Puththaka Aalayam. He began it with the initial capital of Rs.500/- along with a friend in Mylapore North Mada Street. The Chief of the inauguration function was Shri Kupuswamy Iyer, founder of century + Alliance Publication. Sakthi Vai. Govindan Ayya inaugurated it. Chinna Annamalai Ayya felicitated.

[ ] Arunan Ayya's short stories and essays got published in Magazines viz., 'Kumran', 'Pen Chettinad'.

       

[ ] Ayya wrote lyrics for films Harishchandra and Vinayakar Chadurti - 1955.

[ ] Along with Poet Kuyilan, Shri Chockalingam of Ulango Publishers, Arunan Ayya started the Magazine , 'Thentral.'. Initial capital was Rs.750. This was during this time, Ayya's association with Kaviyarasar Kannadasan started. In the very first issue Ayya wrote a Short story named , 'Peelivalai'. Later, Kannadasan undertook ,'Thentral '.

[ ] Ayya published first titles of Chiranjeevi and Kambadasan, and Ma. Po. Si's, 'Tamilarum British thittamum.'

[ ] Ayya's editorial stint extended for magazines, 'cinema rasigan', 'kalaiarasu'.

[ ] Ayya's Other Press career in:

       Weekly magazine, 'Manthiri'.

       Dina seythi.

       Fortnightly, 'Arunam' from Karaikudi.

[ ] 1953 Kaviarasar Kannadasan revived, 'Thentral', with himself being owner and editor. Ayya was Chief Executive.

[ ] The first publication of Ayya's Arunodayam publishing house was Kaviyarasar' s title, Eezhaththu Rani, a short story.

[ ] other titles Published by Ayya:

       Ilakkiyak kathal

       Koottukural 

       Tamilar thirumanamum thaaliyum 

       Raja Thandanai 

       All the above by Kaviarasar 

       

      And on Great Leader K Kamaraj:

      R Shanmugam's 'Uzhaippe Uyarvu', a    

      compilation of Leader's speech,

      'Kamaraj'.

      P. C. Ganesan's, 'Bharathap Perunthalaivar 

      Kamaraj'.

      

      Poet Azha Valliappa, books for children.

      The list of other great writers whose work 

        Ayya published:

      Multi Linguist Appaduraiyar,

     Narana Duraikkannan,

     Prof Pandurangan 

     Arasumani 

     T Dandapani 

     V Kapikan

     R Shanmugam.

May his legacy continue, inspire many aspiring writers.