Dominic Jeeva

Dominic Jeeva Tamil: டொமினிக் ஜீவா; June 27, 1927) is a Sri Lankan Tamil author. He is a member of the Dalit caste. Jeeva was for a period of time forgotten as a writer. He first became known to non-Tamil speaking readers after a review of his short story collection Pathukai.

Dominic Jeeva
Born(1927-06-27)June 27, 1927
Sri Lanka
OccupationAuthor
NationalitySri Lankan
GenreShort Story

Early life

His career began as a beautician in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. At that time, he was fascinated by Mahatma Gandhi, and the policies of Indian Congress Party. During this period he became acquainted with Tampo Rajagopal, who inspired him to read books, taught him to write and introduced him to other writers such as S. Ponnumdurai (author of the novel Sadangu). Later, Jeeva leaned towards leftist political movements and spoke in trade union meetings. He wrote his first story while working at the beauty parlour. He stated that the “beauty parlour is his university” and often praised Rajagopal as his mentor.

Career

Though without an academic background, Jeeva became one of the most prominent writers in the Tamil world. He was the editor for Mallikai, a monthly journal on literature for more than four decades called. Mallikai has been described as an important forum for the publication of progressive writing.[1] The term 'progressive writing' was a euphemism for those with Communist leaning in the 1960s and 1970s. In their writings, these progressive writers attacked vehemently the linguistic jingoism of writers belonging to the Dravidian school. Mallikai promoted Moscow-based Communist writers during the Soviet era. In the 1960s Jeeva received a Sri Lanka Sahithya Academy Award.

Jeeva is the author and publisher of many books and short stories. Jeeva established a publishing center called Mallikai Panthal.[2]

Bibliography
Books
1Thanneerum Kanneerum [2]
2Pathukai [3]
3Saalayin Thiruppam
4Vazhvin Tharisanangal
5Dominic Jeeva Sirukathaikal

Essays
Books
1Anubava Muththiraigal
2Thalaippookkal
3Eazhalaththilirunthu Oru Illakkiyakural
4Thoondil
5Munnuraigal
6Mupperim Thalainagarangalil 30 Natkal

Biography
Books
1Ezhuthappadatha Kavithaikku Varaiyappadatha Siththiram

Other Books
Books
1Emathu Ninaivugalil Kailasapathy
2Malligai Mugangal
3Attaippada Oviyangal
4Tamil translation of 15 sinhala stories

Awards
YearAwardFor/From
1961Sri Lanka Sahithya Academy AwardThaneerum Kanneerum
1963Sri Lanka Sahitiya Academy Award Pathukai
2001M.A.(Hons) By University of Jaffna

See also

References
  • Artscope, Daily News, July 14, 2004
  • Artscope, Daily News, September 15, 2004
  • Anubava Muththiraigal by Dominic Jeeva

Notes
  1. 50 years of Sri Lankan Tamil literature, Karthigesu Sivathamby, Professor Emeritus, University of Jaffna
  2. Dominic Jeeva page
  3. Lutesong and Lament - Book Review Archived October 9, 2006, at the Wayback Machine


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