Thu Jul 24 16:32:39 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Sahitya Akademi award-winning Tamil writer Imayam discussed his writing process and philosophy with Justice (Retd) Prabha Sridevan at The Hindu office in Chennai. The conversation focused on the art of translation, particularly the challenges of capturing authentic voices and regional nuances. Imayam emphasized the importance of character-driven narratives, the role of love as inspiration, and the writer’s responsibility to document societal change and keep language alive and relevant. He prioritized linguistic revitalization over mere storytelling, citing historical figures like Tholkappiyar as examples of writers whose works transcend time.
**News Article:**
**Tamil Writer Imayam Emphasizes Language and Character in Storytelling at The Hindu Event**
**Chennai, July 24, 2025** – Celebrated Tamil writer Imayam engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with retired Justice Prabha Sridevan at The Hindu office in Chennai, discussing the writer’s craft and the importance of authentic language. The event, part of The Hindu’s “Out of Print” series, explored themes of translation, inspiration, and the writer’s role in society.
Imayam, a Sahitya Akademi award recipient, highlighted the crucial role of language in preserving cultural identity. He emphasized that his priority is reviving and refreshing the Tamil language, even above the storytelling itself. He added, “The task of a writer is to create, while the translator, in turn, breathes new life into it through another language”.
Justice Sridevan, who has translated three of Imayam’s books into English, shared her experiences in capturing the nuances of his writing. She noted the challenge of conveying the voice of characters and ensuring that the language remained true to their age and background. Specifically with his book ‘Ippodhu Uyirodirukkiren’, she said she had to make a conscious effort to keep the language simple and age appropriate for the 15 year old narrator.
Responding to a question about the integration of humor in his serious stories, Imayam stated that he allows his characters to dictate the narrative, without interfering. He also identified love as the foundation for his stories and stressed the writer’s duty to document societal transformations and ensure the language remains vital for future generations.
Imayam concluded by noting that great writers like Tholkappiyar, Thiruvalluvar, and Kambar are remembered for their contribution to language, their words transcending even Kings and Wealthy people.
First Piper 