TAMIL PRABHA
1986
Tamil Prabha is a highly acclaimed novelist and screenwriter. His debut novel Paettai, published in 2017, continues to be a best-sellerand praised by critics for its literary merits,captivating readers with its vivid portrayal of the Old Madras (the southern part of the city) lifestyle.The book was critically acclaimed in Chennai and other Tamil-speaking communities worldwide. It has won the prestigious ‘Writer Sujatha’ and ‘Best Work on the Lives of the Marginalized Section’ awards. In 2023, Tamil Prabha released his second novel, Kosalai. Tamil Prabha is also written screenplay and dialogue for movieslike SarpattaParambarai, Blue Star, Thangalaan, Sorgavasal, Kaanthaetc.
Paettai (Novel)
Number of Words: 65,138
Paettai (translated as Hood) is set in the historically significant Chintadripet, a present-day neighbourhoodin the South Indian city of Chennai. Founded in 1735 by the British on the banks of River Cooum as a weaver’s colony to meet the growing demand for speciality Calico cotton in London, Chintadripet has undergone many political and religious changes. But today, it has no traces of the lushness or the natural beauty that it once boasted. It is a place where the marginalized of the city, especially the Dalit people, are pushed out to. They lead difficult lives on the banks of the river Cooum, less of a river and more of the city’s sewage. The novel is written in a dialect spoken in the ghettos of Chennai, a dialect previously unrepresented in formal literature.Set in the 1980s, the novel is also situated when religious politics was at its peak in that century with a proliferation of churches in the neighbourhood.The sub-stories also show us the progress in everyday lives of the marginalized. Paettai is a decidedly pioneering novel in its portrayal of the urban marginalized of India. English Subcontinent rights in India sold to Westland Books. Telugu rights sold to Chaaya Publications Pvt. Ltd. All other rights available.
Rights:
English Subcontinent rights in India sold to Westland Books.
Telugu rights sold to Chaaya Publications Pvt Ltd.
All other rights available.