JK enum Aasanin Kathopadesam

It was in my Eleventh Standard at my school, my renowned and talented Tamil teacher, Mrs. Vyakula Mary introduced a band of budding students and citizens who are to penetrate into the society in the nearest future to JK. Jayakanthan was a name that was ringing at some corner of every mind. The name was the same while voices differed. In the process of reading through the short story in my well informative Tamil Supplementary reader, a girl stood up to read the story, “Sattai”, by JK. JK is a revolutionary. The story “Sattai” is about a so –called Saint, who goes to the army after hearing the Gitopadesam. The sattai (cloth) is just an accessory. The body itself is an accessory for the Soul. The soul is the only important thing. By the end of the story, the young man leaves the temple in which he dwelled and joined the army. His principle was very simple that the body being apparel to the soul, the soul has no business to do with the dress he wears. JK has reiterated the thought of Swami Vivekananda, who said that a tailor does not make a gentleman but the character does. That was the lesson, we listened. Till then the girls complaining about the school uniform and hair made into two plaits and folded, we transformed into those working towards character building rather than towards improving physical beauty. Some even stopped grieving towards the dresses bought by their fathers. 

That was our baby lesson to step out of the fort that pampered us. The next year other Pundit, Dr. Sumathi introduced us to the story, “Yugasanthi”. As usual, the students had to stand up and read. Many sat down, as they could not read. Fortunately, a Brahmin girl stood up to read as the language was easy for her to read. The language may be the tongue of a particular group of girls in the class. However, the problem discussed was nationally universal. The story is about a young girl, who is eternally deserted by her husband. The girl wishes to marry a Hindi Pundit in her school. Even her siblings object it. The readers are puzzled in the movement of the story for the accreditation of the title to the character. They are taken aback when they are revealed, who the Yugasanthi (Representative of the Era) is. The Yugasanthi is none but the girl’s grandmother, Gowri Patti. The story was something new for us. Though the standards have grown to an extent of acknowledging widow remarriage, those days did not see them. JK was a daring writer. JK himself makes his palpable presence in the story through Gowri Patti. Patti goes into the shoes of the girl and empathizes for her. The Patti is a great soul, who is a saviour of the girl.

On a rainy evening, due to my own interest, I took the copy of JK’s Sirukathaigal and just browsed the story, “Agnipravesham”. Just browsing itself lectured me a lot. It is one such story, which kindles the minds of young readers and relieves them. However, some old lot of them get shocked. The issue handled is very delicate. A girl raped by a boy is accepted by her mother after literally pouring water over her and asking her to spit that ‘bubble gum’ out. The story was controversial. The days, when mothers raised their sons well, saw little rapes. All the surroundings could do was to hold a ‘discussion’ on the conduct of the girl for sometimes. JK broke those fetters that bound these girls. He gave new insights into their lives. It is only now, when people started to listen to these pathetic stories of rape victims, they acknowledge him. If the country wants the GDP to soar, why not it wants girls to work overnight. If a girl has to shoulder her family alone, she has no other go but to work like this. These girls fall prey to these men. For these cases, JK becomes a saviour from the rude and brutal criticism of the society. With the spitting of the chewing gum, he wants everyone to spit the gossips out of not only their mouths but also their minds.

It is a pride not only for us to read about JK but also that of the Text book corporation to introduce rational thinkers to the world, which JK wanted to create.