Author Feature: 

Perumal Murugan

About the Author:

Perumal Murugan (born 1966) is a renowned Tamil writer, scholar, and literary critic whose works powerfully depict rural life, caste structures, and social realities of Tamil Nadu. As a professor of Tamil literature, he has contributed both academically and creatively, shaping contemporary Tamil writing with fearless honesty. His narrative style is simple yet evocative, often portraying the conflicts between tradition and modern aspirations. Murugan’s novels are deeply rooted in the lives of ordinary people, highlighting their struggles with caste oppression, poverty, desire, and survival, yet they resonate universally.

One of his most celebrated novels, Madhorubhagan (One Part Woman), explores the societal pressures faced by a childless couple. This work brought him both global recognition and controversy, with certain groups attacking it as offensive. The backlash forced Murugan to briefly announce his “death as a writer.” However, the Madras High Court’s defense of literary freedom marked a turning point, after which he resumed writing. His other significant novels include Seasons of the Palm, Poonachi: Or the Story of a Black Goat, and Pyre. In 2023, he was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for Pyre, reaffirming his place as one of India’s boldest and most relevant literary voices.

 Books Translated into English.

Perumal Murugan’s works have reached international audiences through fine English translations, allowing readers worldwide to engage with his themes of caste, identity, and human struggle. Madhorubhagan was translated as One Part Woman by Aniruddhan Vasudevan and became his most widely known novel. His moving story of bonded child laborers, Koolamadari, was translated as Seasons of the Palm by V. Geetha, and it was shortlisted for the Kiriyama Prize. Aalanda Patchi appeared in English as Pyre, a powerful tale of caste violence. Poonachi: Or the Story of a Black Goat was directly written in Tamil but translated into English by N. Kalyan Raman, capturing Murugan’s allegorical style. Other translated works include Current Show, The Well, A Lonely Harvest, and Trial by Silence. These translations have made Murugan’s voice accessible beyond Tamil readership, cementing his reputation as a global writer whose stories transcend cultural boundaries while remaining firmly rooted in Tamil soil.

"BAN PLASTIC", an essay by TWINKLE KONDEPOGU. B.A. MLHJ, III YEAR.

Plastic Pollution: A Battle We Keep Fighting

I’ve heard the same message over and over again for many years—about the dangers of plastic pollution and the urgent need to stop it. This theme has followed me since my school days. I’ve written essays on this topic in school, seen my classmates write about it, and even today, during my undergraduate studies, I find myself reflecting on the same issue .Time has passed. I’ve moved from school to intermediate education, and now into college. The world around me has changed—technology has advanced, lifestyles have evolved—but the issue of plastic pollution remains the same. Despite all the awareness campaigns, rallies, and debates, the problem still persists .

 I've seen people debating this on television, heard countless voices repeat the phrase, "Change starts with you," and watched social activists march down streets shouting, "Ban plastic!" These efforts have no doubt borne some fruit, but they haven’t grown into the strong tree of change we hoped for. Civilians say the government needs to enforce stricter laws, while the government often blames the public for not being responsible enough. Both sides keep playing the blame game, but real solutions get lost in the noise.

The truth is, plastic usage can’t be completely eliminated—not yet—but it Can be controlled. Let’s be honest. If we were to entirely ban plastic, we would need to replace almost everything—from our toothbrushes to our dustbins. Logically and practically, it’s not an easy shift. However, we can begin to move in the right direction step by step . Small actions matter. For example, we can start by eliminating single-use plastics from our daily lives. We can choose eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives cloth bags instead of plastic ones, reusable containers instead of disposable packaging. We can reuse items until they’re truly worn out, and we can get creative—turn old plastic into something useful instead of simply throwing it away . Responsibility starts with each one of us. You and I may not be able to clean up an entire street, but we can each pick up that one bottle or plastic wrapper and put it in the trash bin.

We may not be perfect every single day, but we can strive to be better than we were the day before . Change doesn’t always need to be revolutionary it can be a quiet commitment to do the right thing, again and again. If enough people make small, consistent efforts, they eventually add up to something powerful. The battle against plastic pollution is not over. But if we keep trying, one responsible action at a time, we can create a future that is cleaner, greener, and more sustainable for everyone.