Epistolary Literature
Epistolary Literature - Diaries and Letters: Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Mu. Varadarasanar, Perarignar Anna
Learning Content
Letter Literature - A new form in Tamil literature
🎯 What is Correspondence?
Epistolary literature refers to personal writings such as letters, diaries, and autobiographies. It gained prominence in Tamil literature in the 20th century.
Specialty:Personal thoughts, political views, social thoughts
Key authors:Nehru, Gandhi, M. Varadarasan, Perariginar Anna
Categories:Letters, diaries, biographies
Specialties of Correspondence
1️⃣ Personal feelings
- Direct writing style
- An expression of inner rebellion
- Individual thoughts
2️⃣ Historical significance
- Freedom struggle experiences
- Prison life
- Political events
3️⃣ language style
- Simple style
- conversational style
- Emotional writing
4️⃣ Educational value
- Socio-political subjects
- Thoughts of leaders
- Moral values
Quick view
| Writer | Period | The main work | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahatma Gandhi | 1869-1948 | truth test | Autobiography |
| Jawaharlal Nehru | 1889-1964 | Letters to Daughter | Letters |
| M. Varadarasanar | 1912-1974 | My history | Autobiography |
| Professor Anna | 1909-1969 | Prison bells | Diary |
Letter Writers - Detailed Comparison
| Writer | Birth-death | Key sign | Letters | Diaries | Autobiography | Language | Tamil translation | Important message |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahatma Gandhi | 1869-1948 (79) | Father of the Nation | Thousands of letters | Young India, Harijan | Truth Test (1927) | Gujarati, English | Yes (by many) | Ahimsa, Satyagraha |
| Jawaharlal Nehru | 1889-1964 (75) | First Prime Minister | Letters to Daughter | Prison Diary | Discovering India (1946) | English | Yes (by many) | World History, Democracy |
| M. Varadarasanar | 1912-1974 (62) | Tamil scholar, freedom fighter | Letter (journal), many letters | Prison Diary | My Story (1957) | Tamil | Written in Tamil | Tamil language passion, Kampan |
| Professor Anna | 1909-1969 (60) | Chief Minister, screenwriter | Letters to friends | Prison Bells (1951) | Memories on the chest | Tamil | Written in Tamil | Dravidian Movement, Social Justice |
Key differences
Gandhi vs Nehru
- Gandhi:The spiritual basis is non-violence
- Nehru:Rationality, modern science
M.W vs Anna
- M.W.:Literary language, Kamban Bhatu
- Anna:Spoken language, film
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) - Author of Truth Test
🎯 Key Sign
Father of the Nation, Teacher of Truth Test- Freedom struggle through non-violence
Birth:1869, Porbandar |Death:1948 (age 79)
Surname:Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Degree:Mahatma (Great Soul)
📖 Biography
- 1869:Born in Porbandar, Gujarat
- 1888:Went to London to study law
- 1893-1914:Advocacy in South Africa
- 1915:He returned to India
- 1930:Salt Satyagraha
- 1942:Quit White Movement
- 1948:January 30 – Assassination by Nathuram Godsey
📚 Major works
| year | Thread name | Type | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 | Hind Suraj | Political philosophy | Indian self-government |
| 1927-29 | Truth Test (An Autobiography) | Autobiography | Reality tests |
| 1919-48 | Young India | Weekly magazine | Editorials |
| 1933-48 | Harijan | Weekly magazine | Social reform |
| Continuity | Letters | Collection of letters | Tens of thousands |
💬 Key quotes
From Truth Test:
"My Life is My Message"
"The goal of my life is to seek the truth. Truth is God."
"Non-violence is man's greatest strength. It is not a sign of weakness."
From letters:
"Be yourself and be the change you want to see in the world."
"Violence is the weapon of ignorance. The weapon of knowledge is non-violence."
🌟 Key ideas of Gandhi
1. Satyagraha
Clinging to the truth, fighting through non-violence
2. Nonviolence
Non-violence – in thought, word and deed
3. Self-government
Self-Government – External and internal independence
4. Sarvodayam
Rise of All - Progress to the last man
📔 Diary features
Truth Test – Contents:
- Childhood and adolescence
- Student life in London
- South African experiences
- Satyagraha experiments
- Personal struggles - fasting, celibacy
- Admitting mistakes
🎯 Memory tips
Method MG-1869-SSA:
- Mahatma +Gandhi = 1869-1948 (79)
- Sathiya +Sothanai +AAutobiography (1927)
- Ahimsa + Satyagraha = original ideas
- Young India + Harijan= Magazines
- 1930= salt satyagraha
- January 30, 1948= disappearance
Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) - India's first Prime Minister
🎯 Key Sign
First Prime Minister of independent India, literary genius
Birth:1889, Allahabad |Death:1964 (75 years)
Degree:pandit (scholar), chacha (for children)
Position:Prime Minister (1947-1964)
📚 Major works
| year | Thread name | Type | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1928-33 | Letters to Daughter (Letters from a Father to His Daughter) |
Letters | 30 Letters - Natural History |
| 1930-33 | A View of World History (Glimpses of World History) |
Letters | 196 Letters - World History |
| 1934-35 | Autobiography (An Autobiography) |
Autobiography | Life from 1889-1935 |
| 1944-46 | Discovering India (The Discovery of India) |
History | History of Indian Civilization |
💌 The specialty of letters
Letters from a Father to His Daughter:
- Written Period:1928 - Indira (age 11)
- Count:30 letters
- Contents:Earth's origin, evolution, early civilizations
- Style:Simple, child-friendly way
- Purpose:Teaching science and history to daughter
Glimpses of World History:
- Written Period:1930-33 - In Allahabad, Tehradun Jails
- Count:196 letters
- Contents:World History from Ancient Civilizations to Modern Times
- Specialty:Written in prison, to daughter Indira
- Purpose:History of human civilization as a whole
💬 Key quotes
From letters:
"The world is a book. Those who do not travel read only one page."
"History does not only teach the past. It helps us understand the present and the future."
"Children are like flowers. The joy of the garden."
📖 The Discovery of India
- Written Place:Ahmednagar Fort Jail (1944)
- Duration:April-September 1944 (5 months)
- Contents:Indian Civilization, Culture, History, Freedom Struggle
- Chapters:From the Indus Valley to the Freedom Movement
- Specialty:Unity, diversity of India
- Movie:1988 - Directed by Shyam Benegal (53 episodes)
🌟 Key ideas of Nehru
1. Democracy
Parliamentary democracy, secularism
2. Scientific thinking
Modern science and technology progress
3. Social justice
Equity, Socio-Economic Justice
4. Internationalism
World Peace, Non-Aligned Movement
🎯 Memory tips
Method JN-1889-196:
- Jawaharlal +Nehru = 1889-1964 (75)
- 196Letters = Glimpses of World History
- 30Letters from a Father
- 1946= Discovery of India
- 1947-1964= Prime Minister (17 years)
- November 14= Children's Day (Birthday)
M. Varadarasanar (1912-1974) - Tamil scholar, freedom fighter
🎯 Key Sign
Tamil Scholar, Kampan Researcher, Freedom Fighter
Birth:1912, Elaiyur |Death:1974 (62 years)
Surname:Muthuswamy Varadarasan
Call:M.W., Chamanar
📖 Biography
- 1912:Born in Elaiyur, Thanjavur District
- 1930s:Involvement in freedom struggle
- 1942:White Quit Movement - Imprisonment
- 1945:"Letter" magazine launch
- 1948:Professor of Tamil at Madurai Kamarajar University
- 1957:Publication of "My History".
- 1974:disappearance
📚 Major works
| year | Thread name | Type | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | My history | Autobiography | From birth to 45 years |
| 1942-47 | Prison Diary | Diary | Alipore Jail |
| 1945-74 | Letter Magazine | Magazine | Monthly magazine |
| 1955 | Kamparamayanam - A Study | Study | A Study of Kampan |
| Continuity | Letters | Collection of letters | To friends, students |
📖 My History - Highlights
Contents:
- Childhood - Life in Elaiyur Village
- Education - Thanjavur, Madurai
- Gandhijis Influence - Entry into Freedom Struggle
- Prison Experiences - 1942-45
- Tamil language addiction - Kampan study
- Start of letter magazine
Characteristic Specialties:
- Simple Tamil style
- Personal experiences
- A sense of humor
- Speaking the truth out loud
📔 Prison Diary
Duration:1942-1945 (3 years)
Location:Alipore Jail, Mylapore Jail
Contents:Daily events, prison life, companions, reading books
Specialty:Sacrifice of freedom fighters
💬 Key quotes
"Tamil is my mother tongue. Kampan is my life friend."
"The days spent in jail were the golden days of my life. It was there that I experienced true freedom."
"Simplicity is the beauty of Tamil. No artificial embellishment."
🌟 Contribution to Tamil
1. Kampan study
Kambaramayanam Study Books, Essays
2. Letter magazine
Monthly Magazine - Development of Tamil Literature
3. Simple Tamil
He developed the simple Tamil style
4. Student Guide
A close friend of Tamil students
🎯 Memory tips
MV-1912-ESK Method:
- Mu +VAradarasanar = 1912-1974 (62)
- En +Sarithiram = 1957 (autobiography)
- Kamban Expert +KAditham Magazine
- 1942-45= Jail (Alipur)
- 1945= Start of letter magazine
- Comrade friend= vital sign
Perarijnar Anna (1909-1969) - Founder of DMK, Chief Minister
🎯 Key Sign
DMK Founder, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Screenwriter
Birth:1909, Kanchipuram |Death:1969 (60 years)
Surname:C.N. Annadurai
Position:Chief Minister (1967-1969)
📖 Biography
- 1909:September 15 - Birth at Kanchipuram
- 1935:Joined Justice Party
- 1938:Joined the Dravidian League
- 1942-44:Imprisonment - Wrote "Prison Bells".
- 1949:He founded the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
- 1962:He became MLA for the first time
- 1967:He became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
- 1969:February 3 - Disappearance
📚 Major works
| year | Thread name | Type | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Prison bells | Diary | Prison Experience 1942-44 |
| 1962 | Memories on the chest | Autobiography | Since childhood |
| 1948 | A night | Drama | First play |
| 1956 | We want - to destroy the world | Movie | Screenplay |
| Continuity | plays | Drama Collection | 10+ plays |
| Continuity | Screenplays | Movie | 75+ movies |
📔 Prison Bells (1951)
Contents:
- Duration:1942-1944 (Quit White Movement)
- Location:Vellore Jail
- Writing Style:Simple Tamil, comedy
- Contents:Daily Events, Jail Life, Jail Mates
- Specialty:Social criticism with humor
Key Experiences:
- The horrors of prison life
- Befriending fellow inmates
- Reading - Tamil, English literature
- Writing practice - plays, stories
- Development of social awareness
📖 Memories in the chest
Output:1962
Contents:Childhood, education, political entry
Style:Conversation style, comedy
Specialty:Personal life experiences
💬 Key quotes
From Prison Bells:
"Prison is a university that graduates freedom fighters."
"Life without humor is like a desert."
Famous Lines:
"Anybody's anything and everything mate?"
"Ancient Tamil Nadu was created by the Dravidian nation!"
"The pen is on the evil eye!"
🌟 Key Contributions
1. Dravidian Movement
DMK founder, social justice struggle
2. Film world
75+ screenplays, social news
3. Tamil literature
Plays, Essays, Speeches
4. Comedy writing
Social criticism with humor
🎯 Memory tips
ANNA-1909-SCM Method:
- Annadurai = 1909-1969 (60)
- Siraichchaalai +Manigal = 1951 (diary)
- NenjilUrai Ninaivugal = Autobiography (1962)
- 1949= Founder of DMK
- 1967-69= Chief Minister (2 years)
- 75+movies,10+plays
- Sep. 15, 1909= Birth |Feb. 3, 1969= disappearance
Full Memoirs - Correspondence
🎯 Master Shortcut - "GNMA" method
G-N-M-A = Gandhi-Nehru-M.W-Anna
Birth Order:1869 → 1889 → 1909 → 1912
Creations:Truth Test → World History → Prison Bells → My History
📊 Quick comparison
| feature | Gandhi | Nehru | M.W | bro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| birth | 1869 | 1889 | 1912 | 1909 |
| Years lived | 79 | 75 | 62 | 60 |
| Language | Gujarati, English | English | Tamil | Tamil |
| The main work | truth test | World History (196) | My history | Prison bells |
| Jail | Many times | Many times | 1942-45 | 1942-44 |
| Special | non-violence | Prime Minister | Kampan study | DMK, film |
📚 Remember books
Gandhi (G)
- SAthiya Sothanai (1927)
- Young India (magazine)
- Harijan (magazine)
- Hind Swaraj (1909)
Reminder:G-SYHH = Gandhi + 4 works
Nehru (N)
- 196Letters (Glimpses)
- 30Letters (Daughter)
- DDiscovery of India (1946)
- AAutobiography (1936)
Reminder:N-196-30-DA = Nehru numbers
(M)
- En Sarithiram (1957)
- Kaditham (magazine - 1945)
- KAmban Aayvu
- Siraichchaalai Diary
Reminder:M-EKKS = Mu.Va + Kamban
Anna (A)
- Siraichchaalai Manigal (1951)
- NEnjil Urai Ninaivugal (1962)
- 75+movies
- 10+plays
Reminder:A-SN-75-10 = Anna + Cinema
🔢 years of memory
Birth Years (Simple Method):
69 - 89 - 09 - 12
Reminder:1869 (Gandhi) → +20 → 1889 (Nehru) → +20 → 1909 (Anna) → +3 → 1912 (AD)
Age Order:Gandhi (Principal) → Nehru → Anna → M.V. (Younger)
Key Book Years:
- 1927- Truth Test (Gandhi)
- 1946- Discovering India (Nehru)
- 1951- Prison Bells (Anna)
- 1957- My History (3rd century BC)
A simple reminder:27-46-51-57 (5 year intervals approx.)
💡 Exam Tips
Question Types:
- Who wrote Truth Test?→ Mahatma Gandhi (1927)
- A view of world history?→ Jawaharlal Nehru (196 letters)
- Letters to daughter?→ Nehru (30 letters)
- My history?→ M. Varadarasanar (1957)
- Prison bells?→ Periyar Anna (1951)
- Kampan study?→ M. Varadarasanar
- Letter magazine?→ M.W. (1945)
- DMK founder?→ Anna (1949)
📋 Final Summary - 1 min
| Writer | year | The main work | Special |
| Gandhi | 1869-1948 (79) | Truth Test (1927) | non-violence |
| Nehru | 1889-1964 (75) | World History (196) | Prime Minister |
| bro | 1909-1969 (60) | Prison Bells (1951) | DMK |
| M.W | 1912-1974 (62) | My Story (1957) | Company |
69 → 89 → 09 → 12 | G-N-A-M | All in Jail (1942-45)