The Tamil Story: Through The Times, Through The Tides by Dilip Kumar & Subashree Krishnaswamy (Translator)

The Winner of Sahitya Akademi Award for Best Translation, 2018 Read the best short stories ever told in one of world's most ancient languages Spanning close to a century, this pioneering anthology deftly traces the evolution of the Tamil short story, a genre that the Tamils have subsumed effortlessly to create illuminating glimpses of life. Like all timeless masterpieces, these eighty-eight finely etched stories will both hold you spellbound and jolt you out of your complacency as they traverse through the changing landscapes of different times, highlighting at once the uniqueness and the universality of life. Culled from every available source – little-known magazines from the turn of the previous century and out-of-print editions from yesteryears to contemporary literary magazines and innumerable anthologies of both serious and popular short fiction – the writings include not only stalwarts such as Pudumaippittan, Mauni, Sundara Ramaswamy and Ashokamitran, to name just a few, but also unsung women writers and path-breaking modern voices. Carefully and sensitively translated, these nuanced, chiselled gems reflect nearly all the aesthetic and political perspectives that make up the Tamil short story. Rooted in realism and fantasy, framed on folklore and myth, steeped in irony and angst, underscored by humour and pathos, there is a story for every reader, a story which will surely leave an indelible imprint on the mind.

Explore the award-winning translation that includes the best short stories from one of the oldest languages in the world. Spanning a century, this pioneering anthology depicts the evolution of the Tamil short story, a genre that effortlessly captures illuminating glimpses of life. With eighty-eight finely etched stories, this timeless masterpiece will captivate and challenge readers as it traverses through changing landscapes and showcases both the uniqueness and universality of life. Carefully selected from a variety of sources, including little-known magazines from the previous century and contemporary literary magazines, this collection features not only renowned authors but also lesser-known female writers and modern voices. Translated with care and sensitivity, these beautifully crafted stories encompass a wide range of aesthetic and political perspectives, rooted in realism and fantasy, folklore and myth, irony and angst, and humor and pathos. Each story is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers' minds.