Batlagundu Subramanian Ramaiya, also known as B.S. Ramaiya, was a well known Tamil author, critic and journalist from Tamil Nadu, who contributed much to the modern era in Tamil literature. B.S. Ramaiya was also a reputed dialogue and script writer in Tamil films. He was the editor of the popular Tamil magazine called Manikkoti. Batlagundu Subramanian Ramaiya authored three Tamil novels, three hundred short stories and several plays such as Terotti Makan Kaivilakku and others. On of the most popular short stories written by him in Tamil language is titled Natcattirak Kulantaikal. The plot of the story revolves around a child who cries whenever it watches a shooting star, as he believes that the star is falling off as someone has told a lie. The short stories composed by Batlagundu Subramanian Ramaiya portray his rich and sophisticated experiences, profundity of understanding and also his capability to feel and express happiness and grief in their intensity. His stories contain an artistic form.
Early Life of B.S. Ramaiya
Batlagundu Subramanian Ramaiya was born on 24th March 1905, in the region of Batlagundu. Later in the year 1921, he came to Madras (now Chennai). B.S. Ramaiya actively participated in the Indian freedom struggle and was imprisoned for being a part of the Salt Satyagraha movement. Later Ramaiya worked in Manikodi, a literary magazine, and was also appointed as a writer in the same literary movement. During the period from 1935 to 1938 and later briefly in the 1950s, he managed and operated the magazine himself.
Literary Works of B.S. Ramaiya
The first short story written by Batlagundu Subramanian Ramaiya or B.S. Ramaiya Malarum Manamum, meaning "The flower and the scent", was published in the year 1933 in Ananda Vikatan. He has composed a number of novels, short stories and plays. It is believed that he wrote almost three hundred and four short stories in total. Ramaiya wrote plays for the drama troupe Seva Stage managed by S. V. Sahasranamam. Many of his literary works have been published in Jeyakodi, Gandhi, Dina Mani, Kumudam, Kalki and Ananda Vikatan.
He has also written several popular Tamil novels, namely Vithiyin vilayattu komala, Premaharaam, Thinai vidaithavan, Kailasa Iyerin kedumathi, Nandha Vilakku and Sandhaipettai. The various plays composed by Batlagundu Subramanian Ramaiya include Therotti magan, Kalappali, Policekaaran maga1, Panjali sabadham, Malliyam Mangalam, President Panchatcharam and Poovilangu. B.S. Ramaiya has written numerous original screenplays and dialogues for many Tamil films as well, like Boologa Rambai, Visithira Vanidha, Mahatma Udangkar, President Panchatcharam, Raja Magudam, Dhana Amaravathi etc.
Awards of B.S. Ramaiya
Batlagundu Subramanian Ramaiya was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil in the year 1982, for his literary history of the Manikodi movement - Manikodikalam
The highly popular and much respected modern Tamil author Batlagundu Subramanian Ramaiya died on 18th May 1983.
