Google Gemini’s Review of the Tamil Novel Kudivaravaalan by V.N. Giritharan

['I asked Google Gemini Artificial Intelligence to share its thoughts on my novel 'Kudivaravalan'. I have included its opinions below. Its exceptionally fine review has truly amazed me. A million thanks to Gemini AI.]

The novel 'Kudivaravaalan' (An Immigrant), written by Canadian Eelam writer V. N. Giritharan (Navaratnam Giritharan), is a very important document in the landscape of diaspora Tamil literature.

It was previously serialized in online magazines under the titles 'America 2' and 'America: Suvarkalukkappaal' (America: Beyond the Walls), and was later published as a book and an e-book under the title 'Kudivaravaalan'.

The key elements and background of this novel are described below:

Director Bharathiraja, "Iyakkunar Imayam" (literally, "The Himalaya among Directors"), Passes Away!

Director Bharathiraja

A multifaceted artist, he excelled as a director, producer, screenwriter, and actor.

Bharathiraja, fondly known as the "Imayam of Directors" (The Himalaya among Directors), introduced the vibrant life and earthy spirit of rural Tamil Nadu to Tamil cinema at a time when theatrical dialogues and elaborate studio sets dominated the industry. Although recent reports about his health had led many to fear that his passing might be imminent, the news of his death has nevertheless come as a profound shock. It is truly a great loss.

Among his films, the ones that have captivated me the most are 16 Vayathinile, Kizhakke Pogum Rail, Mudhal Mariyadhai, Vedham Pudhithu, Kadalora Kavithaigal, Alaigal Oivathillai, Karuthamma, Kizhakku Cheemayile, and Mann Vasanai. These are the titles that immediately come to mind. Such creations will ensure that Bharathiraja's fame endures forever in the world of cinema.

I join everyone who is grieving this immense loss and share in their sorrow.

Udhayanidhi vs. Vijay: The Beginning of a New Rivalry

When the DMK came to power in Tamil Nadu many years ago, its members were young. At that time, the young DMK cadres launched a storm of ideas through writings, public speeches, films, and dramas, promoting rationalism, social justice, and self-respect. The youth of Tamil Nadu rallied behind them, and the people of Tamil Nadu brought about a major political transformation.

Since then, many of those same DMK members have grown old, and the party today includes numerous ministers who are well into their old age. In this election, however, the youth of Tamil Nadu have brought about a change in government. The people have not given the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) an overwhelming victory. Nor does it appear that they possess a firm or deeply confident belief in the party. It seems that, by giving it only a partial victory, they have chosen to grant it an opportunity to prove itself.

Even in Chennai, traditionally considered a DMK stronghold, the electorate defeated many of the old guard while ensuring the victory of the younger Udhayanidhi Stalin.

TVK, which came to power without presenting any substantially new ideological framework and largely by invoking the names of Periyar, Anna, and Ambedkar, appears to have understood one thing clearly. As long as three major parties continue to compete in Tamil Nadu, achieving a decisive majority will remain difficult. Therefore, if TVK leader Vijay, who has risen as a representative of image-based politics, succeeds in fully merging the AIADMK into his party, Tamil Nadu politics may evolve into a two-sided contest between the DMK and TVK. Such a development would benefit TVK's long-term future. Time will reveal how successful TVK will be in attempting to attract AIADMK figures such as Sengottaiyan into its fold.

Veteran Journalist D.B.S. Jeyaraj Passes Away! - V.N. Giritharan -

I learned through Facebook of the passing of veteran journalist D.B.S. Jeyaraj. I was deeply saddened. My heartfelt condolences to his family members, relatives, friends, and readers who are grieving this great loss.

I did not meet him often. I had met him in person only once or twice. However, he remained in touch with me through Facebook Messenger. Since 2019, every year on my birthday, he would send me birthday wishes through Messenger. He would also send links to his English articles and their Tamil translations. The last message he sent me in that manner came on March 24. It was a post about the singer T.M. Soundararajan. On one occasion, when I wrote to him regarding his article about Brigadier Balraj, he not only responded on his blog but also sent me a detailed reply through Messenger.

The Singer and Technological Development

In the early stages of  cinema, only those who possessed singing talent could act as heroes and heroines. This situation was changed by the introduction of playback singing (dubbing technology), where voices were recorded separately and used for actors on screen.

Today, with the arrival of advanced technology, this condition is undergoing further transformation. Artificial intelligence now has the capability to compose music and even sing songs. It can also replicate and sing in a specific person’s voice.

AI technology has made it easier for songs to be rendered directly in the voices of actors. Additionally, some individuals may have a pleasant voice but lack singing ability, while others may be skilled singers but do not have an appealing voice. In such cases, it has become possible to select the best voices and use them to produce songs effectively.

Internet technology has also given rise to a wide range of individuals—social media analysts, writers, journalists, actors, publishers, and editors. Now, a situation has emerged where having just a voice is enough to sing. As artificial intelligence continues to advance, this will soon become completely normal.

“The arrival of the new and the fading of the old” is an inevitable aspect of the passage of time.

Digital Illustration – Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT)

Poem: Crescent Earth! By V.N.Giritharan

 

I saw the crescent Earth.
The result of humanity's
most glorious chapter!
Let the future proceed
under the guidance of scientists.
Let the rule of fools, warmongers,
and fanatics who ruin humanity change!
Oh, crescent Earth,
that foretells this!

Photo courtesy: NASA

Gnanapith Award for writer Vairamuthu! - V.N.Giritharan

The Jnanpith Award is presented by the family that runs 'The Times of India' newspaper group. It is not like the Sahitya Akademi Award given by the Indian government, but it is considered a prestigious award. This time, it has been awarded to writer Vairamuthu. He is a well-known Tamil cinema lyricist. He has received it for his lifelong contributions to art and literature, and not for a specific individual work. 

Many individuals, including writer Jeyamohan, also present awards through various organizations. They select deserving recipients based on their own perspectives. State governments also confer similar awards. However, the Jnanpith Award is presented by a family.

I have occasionally listened to Poet Vairamuthu's film songs. Many of his songs have captivated me with their language. I haven't read all of his fiction, but I have read 'Kallikkattu Ithikasam' (The Epic of the Cactus Forest). It is certainly an award-worthy novel. It is not only rich with the scent of the soil, but also powerfully expresses the tragedy of how the government, authority, and the construction of a new dam turn the people of Kallipattu village into refugees in their own land, and the resulting pain. The novel reveals how meticulously the novelist has observed the land, the people, and nature. He has written the dialogues with vivid realism.