A number of chroniclers have left excellent impressions of the past. The old stories were recorded on palm leaves and these manuscripts had a life of about 300 years. Copiers were employed in each and every centre. Their job was to make as many copies as possible. The benefactor would be named in the copies. Monasteries, temples and educational institutions were connected with such activities. Scholars, scientists, grammarians and mathematicians wrote texts based on their discoveries and they also did transfer the accumulated knowledge to the next generation. Some of the texts were written in the local languages and some were rendered in Sanskrit by the authors. In certain cases the work would be translated into Sanskrit by the author or by a bilingual scholar who would be adept in more than one language. Sanskrit was a common denominator which was used all over India. In spite of not being a widely used language, Sanskrit became the medium through which scientific, literary and religious works were transmitted for several centuries. Otherwise one had to find different sets of bilingual or multi lingual scholars. Therefore the society of the day began to use Sanskrit. Well, we must remember that Paisachi was another ancient language and is not available with us today. Several works were written in this language and have been translated into other languages by eminent scholars.
A number of chroniclers have left excellent impressions of the past. The old stories were recorded on palm leaves and these manuscripts had a life of about 300 years. Copiers were employed in each and every centre. Their job was to make as many copies as possible. The benefactor would be named in the copies. Monasteries, temples and educational institutions were connected with such activities. Scholars, scientists, grammarians and mathematicians wrote texts based on their discoveries and they also did transfer the accumulated knowledge to the next generation. Some of the texts were written in the local languages and some were rendered in Sanskrit by the authors. In certain cases the work would be translated into Sanskrit by the author or by a bilingual scholar who would be adept in more than one language. Sanskrit was a common denominator which was used all over India. In spite of not being a widely used language, Sanskrit became the medium through which scientific, literary and religious works were transmitted for several centuries. Otherwise one had to find different sets of bilingual or multi lingual scholars. Therefore the society of the day began to use Sanskrit. Well, we must remember that Paisachi was another ancient language and is not available with us today. Several works were written in this language and have been translated into other languages by eminent scholars.
The colonial rule made English the connecting language and it began to capture the imagination of the common man. In spite of being alien, the language has become a part of our tradition. The language of the conqueror is now being used nationally. Eventually several learned chroniclers began writing in English. Nilkan Perumal was one such famous chronicler and editor from Tamilnadu. He was born in the year 1908 and has published 26 books. He has written in English and in Tamil. However most of his work is in English. Globally, 121 libraries hold his works. That shows the importance of his work. Nilkan Perumal lived in Coimbatore for some time and has written about several Coimbatoreans.
Meanwhile let us briefly look at his background. He was an editor of Whip, Jai Hind & Orient Illustrated Weekly for sometime. These publications were from Kolkatta. He was also associated with the Malayan Daily Express (Kuala lumpur). Nilkan Perumal was educated in India and he did his further studies from the School of Journalism at the University of Iowa in the USA. He has practically travelled all over the world. Nilkan Perumal has been to a number of countries in America and Europe. The author has also been to China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. He was the publicity advisor to a number of native states during the colonial era. His books were reviewed in a many publications. The Hindu, Free India, Commerce & Industry (Delhi), Dawn (Karachi), Guardian (Madras), The Forum (Bombay), The Sunday Observer and the Illustrated Weekly of India belong to this lengthy list.
Famous personalities knew him and they were lucky to be interviewed by him. His approach was interesting and one can know much about several additional facts while going through his books. For example, A Crusade against the Commonwealth - Being the Political Work of Republican H.D.Rajah has a note from Nilkan Perumal the author wherein we get to know that he had completed his work on ' Guy Fawkes Day '. The curious reader is sure to learn that Guy Fawkes Day also called Bonfire Night was a British Observance. It is celebrated on November 5 every year in order to commemorate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot on the same day in 1605. The plot had been led by Robert Catesby and others who were enraged with King James I for refusing to grant greater religious tolerance for Catholics. Guy Fawkes (1570 - 1606), a member of the Gunpowder Plot was arrested while guarding the explosives placed under the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I survived an attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London. Towards the end of the eighteenth century, it gradually became Guy Fawkes Day ! Eventually it also became a day when people burnt effigies of ' hate figures '. "Every generation reinvents Guy Fawkes to suit their needs," says historian William.B.Robinson of South Eastern Louisiana University. It was stated that it should be ' Robert Catesby Day ' for he was the main conspirator.
Well, Nilkan Perumal wrote a few books on the Coimbatoreans of the times and they were Dr.R.K.Shanmukham Chetty and G.D.Naidu. The books carried a few photos, a note by Nilkan Perumal and a few reviews by popular journals and newspapers. it must have been quite a bit of an effort. Popular Hindustan Publications of Coimbatore founded by R.Ramalingam had published a few of his books. In fact Nilkan Perumal finds an entry in the Coimbatore & Nilgiris District Directory of 1954.
Let us now take a look at the list of books written by Nilkan Perumal - Glimpses of Chettiarnad, An Industrial Scientist (G.D.Naidu), Tamils of Today, Truth About Travancore, Hindu Reformation, Top Tamils, Economic Ambassador - The life & Work of Dr.R.K.Shanmukham Chetty, Indian Diplomats Abroad, Rajaji, K.Nageswara Rao - A Monograph , Bobbili - A Biography, The President, State Propaganda, Jamal Mahomed - A biographical Record, Contemporary South Indians, Two Important Men - A Biographical Record, Faded Flower - A Biographical Record on S.G.Sengodayyan I.C.S, An Indian Scientist who made History (Sir C.V.Raman) and a few other books. Most of the works of Nilkan Perumal were published between the years 1930 and 1960.
Lets take a look at his style - "In his closed coat of silk and trousers, Maharaja Chithirai Thirunal looked attractive. His hair carefully brushed with a parting on the left, his fair complexioned face with well cut features, the prominent sharp nose, his dignified sitting posture on the sofa, all that reminded me of a picture of Rembrandt I have seen somewhere.." This passage features in the book connected with temple entry in Travancore.
Indian Diplomats contains pen sketches of luminaries who include K.P.S.Menon, V.K.Krishna Menon and Vijayalakshmi Pandit. The book ' Tamils of Today ' features celebrities like S.R.Sethupathi (Raja of Ramnad) and the only Coimbatorean to find an entry in this book published in 1957 was P.A.Raju Chettiar, the jeweler. Nilkan Perumal compares P.A.Raju Chettiar to Midas. King Midas (Royal House of Phrygia) is popularly remembered in Greek mythology for his ability to turn everything he touched into gold. This came to be called the GOLDEN TOUCH or MIDAS TOUCH. Julius Pollux credits Damodice, the wife of Midas for inventing coined money.. R.Sunderaraj , the grandson of Dr.R.K.Shanukham Chetty used to have copies of a number of books written by Nilkan Perumal.
Nilkan Perumal was known for his deep research style and rich vocabulary. His works had quotations of great people. He was good with regard to his comments and comparisons. His praise was stylish and criticism was dignified. These traits and the literary value make his work worthy and it is not a small wonder that his books are found in several libraries around the world. Coimbatore has every reason to feel proud of the fact that he was a resident of the city.
Bobbili : Being a biography of Sri Varu Sir Ramakrishna Swatchelapathi Ranga Rao, the 13 th Raja of Bobbili , who was Chief Minister of Madras (1932 - 1936) was a famous book by Nilkan Perumal. The Raja had been the Justice Party Chief Minister of Madras and Nilkan Perumal showers praises while describing him - "He is very unostentatious.....One day , he was coming down to Mettupalayam from Ooty to catch the Nilgiris Express and he travelled in a public transport bus, all alone, to the surprise of many."
While talking about the Raja of Bobbili, Nilkan Perumal describes him through a poem written by Lao Tse, more than two thousand years ago
' A leader is best when people barely know he exists
But a good leader who talks little,
When his work is done, his aim is fulfilled,
They will say : " We did ourselves ".
The book talks about the plots, situations, intrigues connected with the people and politicians of the time. We get to know about the work done by the Justice Party with regard to social reform. The style of political campaign undertaken by Nehru physically is explained in style. We find all the great leaders in abundance. Nilkan Perumal had done ' Justice '.
The colonial rule made English the connecting language and it began to capture the imagination of the common man. In spite of being alien, the language has become a part of our tradition. The language of the conqueror is now being used nationally. Eventually several learned chroniclers began writing in English. Nilkan Perumal was one such famous chronicler and editor from Tamilnadu. He was born in the year 1908 and has published 26 books. He has written in English and in Tamil. However most of his work is in English. Globally, 121 libraries hold his works. That shows the importance of his work. Nilkan Perumal lived in Coimbatore for some time and has written about several Coimbatoreans.
Meanwhile let us briefly look at his background. He was an editor of Whip, Jai Hind & Orient Illustrated Weekly for sometime. These publications were from Kolkatta. He was also associated with the Malayan Daily Express (Kuala lumpur). Nilkan Perumal was educated in India and he did his further studies from the School of Journalism at the University of Iowa in the USA. He has practically travelled all over the world. Nilkan Perumal has been to a number of countries in America and Europe. The author has also been to China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. He was the publicity advisor to a number of native states during the colonial era. His books were reviewed in a many publications. The Hindu, Free India, Commerce & Industry (Delhi), Dawn (Karachi), Guardian (Madras), The Forum (Bombay), The Sunday Observer and the Illustrated Weekly of India belong to this lengthy list.
Famous personalities knew him and they were lucky to be interviewed by him. His approach was interesting and one can know much about several additional facts while going through his books. For example, A Crusade against the Commonwealth - Being the Political Work of Republican H.D.Rajah has a note from Nilkan Perumal the author wherein we get to know that he had completed his work on ' Guy Fawkes Day '. The curious reader is sure to learn that Guy Fawkes Day also called Bonfire Night was a British Observance. It is celebrated on November 5 every year in order to commemorate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot on the same day in 1605. The plot had been led by Robert Catesby and others who were enraged with King James I for refusing to grant greater religious tolerance for Catholics. Guy Fawkes (1570 - 1606), a member of the Gunpowder Plot was arrested while guarding the explosives placed under the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I survived an attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London. Towards the end of the eighteenth century, it gradually became Guy Fawkes Day ! Eventually it also became a day when people burnt effigies of ' hate figures '. "Every generation reinvents Guy Fawkes to suit their needs," says historian William.B.Robinson of South Eastern Louisiana University. It was stated that it should be ' Robert Catesby Day ' for he was the main conspirator.
Well, Nilkan Perumal wrote a few books on the Coimbatoreans of the times and they were Dr.R.K.Shanmukham Chetty and G.D.Naidu. The books carried a few photos, a note by Nilkan Perumal and a few reviews by popular journals and newspapers. it must have been quite a bit of an effort. Popular Hindustan Publications of Coimbatore founded by R.Ramalingam had published a few of his books. In fact Nilkan Perumal finds an entry in the Coimbatore & Nilgiris District Directory of 1954.
Let us now take a look at the list of books written by Nilkan Perumal - Glimpses of Chettiarnad, An Industrial Scientist (G.D.Naidu), Tamils of Today, Truth About Travancore, Hindu Reformation, Top Tamils, Economic Ambassador - The life & Work of Dr.R.K.Shanmukham Chetty, Indian Diplomats Abroad, Rajaji, K.Nageswara Rao - A Monograph , Bobbili - A Biography, The President, State Propaganda, Jamal Mahomed - A biographical Record, Contemporary South Indians, Two Important Men - A Biographical Record, Faded Flower - A Biographical Record on S.G.Sengodayyan I.C.S, An Indian Scientist who made History (Sir C.V.Raman) and a few other books. Most of the works of Nilkan Perumal were published between the years 1930 and 1960.
Lets take a look at his style - "In his closed coat of silk and trousers, Maharaja Chithirai Thirunal looked attractive. His hair carefully brushed with a parting on the left, his fair complexioned face with well cut features, the prominent sharp nose, his dignified sitting posture on the sofa, all that reminded me of a picture of Rembrandt I have seen somewhere.." This passage features in the book connected with temple entry in Travancore.
Indian Diplomats contains pen sketches of luminaries who include K.P.S.Menon, V.K.Krishna Menon and Vijayalakshmi Pandit. The book ' Tamils of Today ' features celebrities like S.R.Sethupathi (Raja of Ramnad) and the only Coimbatorean to find an entry in this book published in 1957 was P.A.Raju Chettiar, the jeweler. Nilkan Perumal compares P.A.Raju Chettiar to Midas. King Midas (Royal House of Phrygia) is popularly remembered in Greek mythology for his ability to turn everything he touched into gold. This came to be called the GOLDEN TOUCH or MIDAS TOUCH. Julius Pollux credits Damodice, the wife of Midas for inventing coined money.. R.Sunderaraj , the grandson of Dr.R.K.Shanukham Chetty used to have copies of a number of books written by Nilkan Perumal.
Nilkan Perumal was known for his deep research style and rich vocabulary. His works had quotations of great people. He was good with regard to his comments and comparisons. His praise was stylish and criticism was dignified. These traits and the literary value make his work worthy and it is not a small wonder that his books are found in several libraries around the world. Coimbatore has every reason to feel proud of the fact that he was a resident of the city.
Bobbili : Being a biography of Sri Varu Sir Ramakrishna Swatchelapathi Ranga Rao, the 13 th Raja of Bobbili , who was Chief Minister of Madras (1932 - 1936) was a famous book by Nilkan Perumal. The Raja had been the Justice Party Chief Minister of Madras and Nilkan Perumal showers praises while describing him - "He is very unostentatious.....One day , he was coming down to Mettupalayam from Ooty to catch the Nilgiris Express and he travelled in a public transport bus, all alone, to the surprise of many."
While talking about the Raja of Bobbili, Nilkan Perumal describes him through a poem written by Lao Tse, more than two thousand years ago
' A leader is best when people barely know he exists
But a good leader who talks little,
When his work is done, his aim is fulfilled,
They will say : " We did ourselves ".
The book talks about the plots, situations, intrigues connected with the people and politicians of the time. We get to know about the work done by the Justice Party with regard to social reform. The style of political campaign undertaken by Nehru physically is explained in style. We find all the great leaders in abundance. Nilkan Perumal had done ' Justice '.