Dominic Jeeva

Dominic Jeeva
Born Dominic
(1927-06-27)June 27, 1927
Sri Lanka
Occupation author
Nationality Sri Lankan
Period [20th & 21st century]
Subject [Editor & Publisher]

Dominic Jeeva (Tamil: டொமினிக் ஜீவா; June 27, 1927) is a prominent minority Sri Lankan Tamil author and literary figure from Sri Lanka. He is also a member of the marginalized Dalit caste. Dominic 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 book Pathukai, a collection of short stories.


Early life

In the beginning of his life, his career began as a beautician, at No:60 Kasturiyar Street in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. At that time, he was fascinated by Mahatma Gandhi, and the policies of Indian Congress Party. During this period he was acquainted with Mr. Tampo Rajagopal Master, who inspired him to read various books, initially taught him to write and introduced him to many other writers such as S. Ponnumdurai (author of the novel “Sadangu”). Later, Dominic Jeeva leaned towards the leftist political movements and raised his voice in trade union meetings in support of oppressed workers. He wrote his first story while working at the beauty parlour and later. He always mentions that the “beauty parlour is his university” and often praises Rajagopal Master as his mentor.

Career as an author

Though he has no academic background, Jeeva has become one of the most prominent writers in the Tamil world. Dominic Jeeva has been 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 an 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 tradition of Dravidian school. Mallikai, in its pages, prominently promoted the Moscow-based Communist writers during the Soviet era. In the 1960s Jeeva received a Sri Lanka Sahithya Academy Award.

Dominic Jeeva is also the author and publisher of many books and has also written several short stories. Jeeva has also established a publishing center called "Mallikai Panthal" publisher.[2]

Books written

Books
1Thanneerum Kanneerum
2Pathukai
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

Bibliography

  • Pathukai/Paathukai (Shoes)[3]
  • Thannerum Kannerum[2]

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. 1 2 Dominic Jeeva page
  3. ↑ Lutesong and Lament - Book Review Archived October 9, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.


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