Inkulab

Makkal Pavalar

Inkulab
Native name
மக்கள் பாவலர் இன்குலாப்
BornShahul Hameed
c. 1944
Madras, Madras Province, British India
(now Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India)
Died (aged 72)
Urappakkam
OccupationAuthor, Poet, Dramatist, columnist.
Notable worksAvvai, Kaandhal Naatkal

Makkal Pavalar Inkulab (also spelt Inquilab, Inkulab or Ingulab) (Tamil: மக்கள் பாவலர் இன்குலாப்; c. 1944 – 1 December 2016) was an Indian rationalist Tamil poet/writer, activist, and Communist with Marxist Leninist inclination.[1] He retired as a professor of Tamil at The New College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. His birth name is Shahul Hameed[1][2] and a known follower of Periyar.[3]

His poems espousing rationality have been critically acclaimed.[1] Kanmani Rajam, his most famous poem, criticizes the moral bankruptcy of politicians.

His song/poem Naanga Manushangada (We are human beings) is a famous Dalit-freedom song that is still played in many Dalit gatherings. Avvai, his drama is considered to be the first modern Tamil drama,[1] and a prescribed textbook for many colleges. In this revisionist account, the historical/mythic Avvai, contrary to the prevalent image of her as an old, wise, celibate woman, is rendered as a young, sensuous, creative, 'free' person, a wandering bard.[1] The play also challenges the patriarchal view which has marginalized the female voice.[4]

His other famous literary works include modern versions of Manimekalai[5] and Kuṟiñcippāṭṭu.[6]

He was also involved in vocal expression of discontent of removal of statue of a Tamil legendary icon Kannagi in 2002 by the then AIADMK-led Government of Tamil Nadu.[7] He died at the age of 72 on 1 December 2016.[8] He has been selected posthumously for the Sahitya Akademi Award for his book Kaandhal Naatkal in 2017. However, his family declined the award, saying he did not write expecting awards and felicitations.[9]

  1. ^ a b c d e Padma, V. (September 2000). "Re-presenting protest and resistance on stage: Avvai". Indian Journal of Gender Studies. 7 (2): 217–230. doi:10.1177/097152150000700205. S2CID 145735247.
  2. ^ "மக்கள் பாவலர் இன்குலாப்". ingulab.blogspot.com. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  3. ^ "'Makkal Kavignar' Inquilab passes away". newindianexpress.com. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  4. ^ MSSRF | Voicing Silence | Video Catalogue Archived 2007-08-14 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Manimegalai, Giving traditional performers a platform while highlighting women's issues and concerns is not easy But, writes Kausalya Santhanam, `Mouna Kural' (Voicing Silence), a Chennai-based group, shows how the two can be combined effectively Theatre from a woman's perspective a scene from (30 January 2002). "For, of and by women". The Hindu. p. 08. Archived from the original on 10 November 2003. Retrieved 5 December 2016 – via The Hindu (old).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Santhanam, Kausalya (29 December 2005). "Ode to the Parambu hills". The Hindu. p. 04. Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2016 – via The Hindu (old).
  7. ^ Controversy over a statue[usurped]
  8. ^ Kolappan, B. (2 December 2016). "Poet Inquilab is no more". The Hindu.
  9. ^ Kolappan, B. (22 December 2017). "Inquilab gets Sahitya Akademi award". The Hindu.