Sivasubramanian
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A. Sivasubramanian[1] (also known as Sivan or Pulavar) is an eminent scholar and researcher in Tamil studies, folkloristics and subaltern studies. He is one of the pioneers who initiated a subaltern perspective to the study of history and literature. As one of the students of Professor Naa. Vaanamamalai, Sivasubramanian developed methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches for rereading history and literature from subaltern perspectives. He is also one of the founding members of “Aaraichi” (Research), a study circle established by Professor Naa Vaa that initiated new perspectives and approaches to literary criticism, historiography and sociology.
Life[edit]
A. Sivasubramanian was born in Ottapidaram on 09.04.1943. (Ottapidaram is also the birth place of V. O. Chidambaram, who established the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company to counter the monopoly of the British in maritime trade logistics.) After his schooling in M. D. T. Hindu High School in Tirunelveli, Sivasubramanian completed a “Pulavar” course (a teaching diploma in Tamil) from Annamalai University, Chidambaram. After this, he joined as a tutor in the Department of Tamil at V. O. Chidambaram College, Thoothukudi in July 1967. Here where he served in the same designation for 35 years, till his retirement in May 2001. Despite numerous and frequent requests from his friends, Sivasubramanian has refused to acquire a higher degree so as to enhance his designation and financial benefits. Yet, Sivasubramanian in a widely acknowledged and recognized scholar and researcher. Awards: The Tamil University at Thanjavur conferred an honorary doctorate (honoris causa) on him in 2918 for his contribution to Tamil studies. The Canada Tamil Association awarded the Vilakku Award the same year. Thamizhnadu Kalai Illakiya Perumandram has honoured him with a Life Time Achievement Award.
Work[edit]
A. Sivasubramanian (Sivan) entered the field of Tamil studies and folkloristics towards the end of the 1960s. His contribution to the study of Tamil folklore, material culture, Tamil Christianity, oral history, subaltern history and Tamil literature has been immense, significant and consequential. His approach and methodologies have initiated new possibilities and approaches in these fields. A. Sivasubramanian learnt his basics in Tamil studies and folkloristics from Professor Naa.Vaanamamalai (Naa.Vaa). He was also one of the first members of “Aaraichi” (Research) – a critical study circle started by Professor Naa.Vaa in Tirunelveli in the 1960s. Naa.Vaa also introduced Sivasubramanian to folkloristics, then an emergent area of study that was shaped and developed by Naa Vaa himself and the Aaraichi circle. Sivasubramanian learnt from Naa Vaa the methods for collecting data and information through field trips and field work, and classifying and analysing them, and then arriving at conclusions.
Sivasubramanian underwork field studies on the various aspects of folkloristics and subaltern studies. His rigorous work in these fields has enabled them strike strong roots in Tamilnadu, and has given them apt methodologies and approaches for research. Today Sivasubramanian is recognized and acknowledged as a key figure in contemporary Tamil studies.
Influenced by Professor Naa Vaa, Sivasubramanian brought a Marxist approach to Tamil studies and folkloristics. Much before Antonio Gramsci and his theory of cultural Materialism, Sivasubramanian used these concepts in his studies, though without using these terminologies. He foregrounded the role of culture in the construction of ideologies and forging identities. Sivasubramanian underwork extensive field studies to explore how elements of culture embedded in quotidian lives of the folk engrave unconsciously in their collective consciousness certain values and ethics. Sivasubramanian also showed how these values, and ethics and ideologies, in turn protect and perpetuate power structures.
Sivasubramanian was convinced of the inadequacy of classical historiography that primarily focused on the rulers and the elite ruling classes. He argued that that these histories tend to ignore the life of the subaltern and the marginalised who constitute the majority of the population. Instead, Sivasubramanian practised and elaborated a historical method that narrated history from the below. This history from the below reread culture and identities through a political lens. Thereby the classical method of historiography is ruptured and history is reclaimed. (This is one of the most distinguished contributions of Sivasubramanian.) His method has today enabled a rereading of canonical texts, exposing political agendas of ruling classes.
Sivasubramanian’s studies have consistently and strongly established how in a neo-capitalistic society like India, feudal elements and values still have authoritative roles in preventing systemic changes. He emphasizes the critical and persuasive role culture and its various forms such as religion, caste and tradition have in daily lives. In this sense, Sivasubramanian suggests that culture is as decisive as mode of production in shaping people’s lives.
Studies on V. O. Chidambaram[edit]
One of the most important contribution of Sivasubramanian is his in-depth study of V. O. Chidambaram, the founder of the Swadeshi Stream Navigation Company in Thoothukudi in 1906 to counter the monopoly of the British in maritime trade.
His books on V. O. Chidambaram:
- Vaa.Vu.Cee. - Vazhvum Paniyum (The Life and Work of V.O.C.)
- Vaa.Vu.Ceeyum Mudhal Thozhilalar Porattamum (V.O.C. and the First Labour Strike)
- Vaa Vuu Cee: Oru Arimugam (V. O. C. – an Introduction)
Apart from these two books he has also written numerous articles on V. O. Chidambaram, particularly on his writings, revealing his liberal approach to religion.
Studies on Tamil Christianity[edit]
Another important area of interest for Sivasubramanian is Christianity in Tamilnadu, its arrival, spread and impact on lives and culture of the Tamil people. His studies on Tamil Christianity reveal how Christianity have internalized many cultural forms of the Tamil society. His books “Krithavamum Saathiyum” (Christianity and Caste). “Krithavamum Tamizh Soozhalum” (Christianity and the Tamil Ethos) and Thamizh Achchu Thanthai Hendrique Adigalaar” (Henry Henriques: the Father of Tamil Printing) have delved into some of the less explored aspects of Tamil Christianity. He is a resource person at the Department of Christian Studies, University of Madras. Sivasubramanian has served as a member of the Board of Studies of Folklore Resources and Research Centre, St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai and was a visiting faculty at St. Paul’s Seminary, Tiruchirappalli and Tamil University, Thanjavur. He continues to write and read and is much sought after scholar by researchers from all over India and European countries. He was also a member of the Samuga Neethi Kangaanippu Kuzhu (Social Justice Monitoring Committee of the Government of Tamilnadu during 2006 to 2011.
Bibliography[edit]
Sivasubramanian has authored 42 books so far. Some of them are:
- Panaimarame, Panaimarame (The Palmyra Tree)
- Adithala Makkal Varalaaru (History of the Subalterns)
- Mathiramum Sadangum (Chants and Rituals)
- Pillaiyar Arasiyal (The Politics of Pillaiyar i.e. Vinayagar)
- Thoni (The Sailing Ship)
- Tamizh Atchu Thanthai Henrique Henriquez
- Uppitavarai (A History of Salt)
- Brahmana Poojanamum Chatti Sorum (The Food of Brahmins and Pot of Rice)
- Ashe Kolaiyum Indiya Puratci Iyakkamum (The Assassination of Ashe and the Indian Revolutionary Movement)
- Kirithavamum Sathiyum (Christianity and Caste)
- Thanithu Olikkum Kural (A Lone Voice)
- Adimai Muraiyum Thamizhagamum (Slavery in Tamizh Country)
- Vaa Vuu Ceeiyum Mudhal Velai Niruthamum (V. O. C. and the First Labour Strike)
- Vaa Vuu Cee: Oru Arimugam (V. O. C. – an Introduction)
- Entha Pathai? (Which Path)
- Varalaarum Vazhakaarum (History and Folklore)
- Porkaalam: Oru Marxsiya Aaivurai (Golden Ages: a Marxist Reading)
- Panpaattu Adaiyaala Poraatangal (Struggles for Cultural Identities)
- Ina Varaiviyalum Tamizh Naavalgalum (Ethnography and the Tamil Novel)
- August Poraatam (The August Revolt)
- Kirithavamum Thamizh Soolalum (Christianity and the Tamil Ethos)
- Matha Maatrathin Maru Pakkam (The Other Side of Conversion)
- Dhargaakalum Indu Islaamiyar Ottrumaiyum (Dhargas and Hindu Muslim Unity)
- Coolie thamizh Kaatum Samuthaayam (The Society Revealed by Coolie Tamil)
- Nattaar Vazhaattriyal Arasiyal (The Politics of Folkloristics)
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
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