Curiyanarayana Sastriyar

Curiyanarayana Sastriyar, also known as Suryanarayana Shastriyar, was a well known Tamil author and editor born in the year 1870. Unfortunately he died at a very young age in the year 1903, but he had composed several literary works during that period that has made the distinguished Tamil writer immortal. Curiyanarayana Sastriyar has carved an enduring niche for himself in the genre of Tamil dramas and other literary works and has contributed greatly for the progression of modern era in Tamil literature. In order to conform to his sincerity of writing pure Tamil without the amalgamation of Sanskrit, Curiyanarayana Sastriyar changed his name into Paritimarkalainar. He also edited Nanapotim, which was a popular Tamil magazine, from 1897 and 1898. Curiyanarayana Sastriyar was very much fascinated with drama and was also alarmed about the scarcity of good quality literary dramas. Thus in order to provide excellent dramas, Curiyanarayana wrote many dramas in Tamil language; some of them include Mativanan, Manavijayam, Rupavati, Kalavati and several others.

In the work titled Natakaviyal, composed by Curiyanarayana Sastriyar (Paritimarkalainar) the fundamental rules of dramatic art are established and elaborately described. The renowned and much respected author also wrote a number of poetic works which were composed in the traditional style. During that period, two of his literary works in Tamil entitled Tamilppulavar Carittiram (History of Tamil Poets) and Tamil Moliyin Varalaru (History of Tamil Language) gained immense popularity and were regarded as very useful and functional books. Curiyanarayana Sastriyar also translated a Sanskrit work, Midra Ratcacam into Tamil language. Even though the author was well educated in English and Sanskrit, his main focus was on the development and evolution of Tamil literature and language. He composed his Tamil poems in the ancient style following the traditional manner and thus his compositions were vivacious and pregnant with useful as well as novel ideas. Thus it can be established that the literary works of Curiyanarayana Sastriyar, later known as Paritimarkalainar, were very interesting and motivation during his era.

Through his various literary works, Curiyanarayana Sastriyar narrated the mental state, attitude and actions of the various characters with erudition which is appropriate to the cultural traditions of the people.