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.

V.N. Giridharan's Song: Scene and Illusion!

V.N. Giridharan's Song: Scene and Illusion!

 Music & Voice - SUNO AI | Art - Google AI

Is all the time and space
Unfolding before my eyes,
An illusion created by my mind?

If it's the mind's illusion,
Is this wondrous, vast world all false?
Is it right that our life on Earth
Is lived by believing falsehoods as truth?

Is all the time and space
Unfolding before my eyes,
An illusion created by my mind?

A review of V.N. Giridharan's novel 'America' based on its English translation by 'Google NotebookLM'!

 

'Google NotebookLM' is a very useful software from Google. When I needed to get a review of the English translation of my short novel 'America' by the writer Latha Ramakrishnan, I submitted it to Google NotebookLM. The review presented in this video was conducted by both male and female reviewers through the software. Please listen to it completely and share your thoughts."

Let's innovate! Let's reduce impacts! Let's coexist!

As new technologies are introduced from time to time, new environmental activists emerge on social media. AI consumes a large amount of electricity. As this electricity is generated by burning fuels like coal, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases. In this manner, many begin to raise their voices. Their activism is commendable. However, their claims of intending to reduce the use of these technologies are hypocritical. They will certainly not refrain from using its benefits. If preventing environmental damage is their primary objective, then what they should do is reject all the following technologies.

    Avoid using refrigerators. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in refrigerators deplete the ozone layer and generate excessive heat. They also consume a lot of electricity from fuels like coal, thereby sending more carbon into the atmosphere. Furthermore, when they are not properly recycled, the toxic substances within them mix with soil and air, causing pollution.

Attention Writers - The Power of the Internet!

My novel, 'Kudivaravaalan,' has been translated into English by writer Latha Ramakrishnan as 'An Immigrant.' You can read it on the Noolaham website. I recently came across some information about this novel during a Google search: Dr. P. Muthulakshmi, an Assistant Professor from Tamil Nadu, presented an English critical analysis of this novel at an international literary conference. The title of her research paper is 'Ethnic Conflict in V.N. Giritharan’s An Immigrant.'

It is also noteworthy that Dr. Dharani Akhil has previously written two English research papers about this novel. The details are as follows:

A Historic Speech by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney!

This speech by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Garney is going to be historic.He resembles George W. Bush Jr. somewhat.[Digital Art using Google AI bu VNG]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btqHDhO4h10

Let us salute for Alex Pretti's humanitarianism!

In Minneapolis, U.S. President Donald Trump's oppression against immigrants continues. The rampage of his ICE agenst continues. Without any humanity, they continue to shamefully arrest women, the elderly, and children, and to use excessive force against them.

In one such instance, one of the aforementioned ICE agents pushes a woman onto the roadside. Following him, several more ICE agents rush to assist, like hunting dogs. Alex Pretti, a white male nurse, runs to save that innocent woman. Although he had a legal firearm at his waist, he does not attempt to use it under any circumstance. As soon as one of the ICE agents sees it and takes it, Alex Pretti is shot and killed.

Let us salute for Alex Pretti's humanitarianism.

[Digital Art -using  Google AI  by VNG ]

Manthirimani Must Be Preserved! It's Not Too Late! Let's Protect It! Let's Preserve History! - V.N.Giritharan -

The Jaffna 'Manthirimani' building, which was already in a state of disrepair due to insufficient maintenance, has suffered further damage from recent heavy rains. These visuals reveal its condition. We had the power to prevent this situation from befalling 'Manthirimani', but we failed to act. This is regrettable.

Buildings need to be preserved for many reasons. As structures belonging to a specific period, as expressions of architectural styles, as they are connected to historical events, and as the historical identity of a race – buildings must be preserved. In that sense, all these reasons apply to Manthirimani.

The architectural features of this building include both Dravidian and European architectural elements, the building materials used, and the period in which it was built. All these factors emphasize the necessity for this building to be considered and maintained as a historical monument. According to information on the facade of this building, it was constructed in 1890.

It is said that there was an underground passage belonging to this building, which has now been closed off. Further research on this should be conducted.

The land on which this building is located is named 'Sangilithoppu'. I observed this when examining the land survey department maps for this area. The fact that the land where this building stands is named Sangilithoppu and the building itself is called Manthirimani highlights its historical significance. Given the proximity to other historically important areas like Pandarakkulam, Sangiliyan Street, and Arasakesari Valavu, it appears to me that the area where this building is located must have held significance during the Tamil Kings' era in the following ways:

Poem: I will lose my heart in blue! by V.N.Giritharan

Digital Art by Google Nano Banana AI

I will lose my heart in blue.
I will feel the depth of space-time.

Blue color, soft blue color
Is close to my heart. So close to my heart.
My love, that color
Is even your favorite color, isn't it?
You often say
That it's your favorite color too.
Isn't that right, My love! You tell me!

I will lose my heart in blue.
I will feel the depth of space-time.

The vast blue sky
The expansive blue-splashed sea
Sights that bring joy to the eyes.
I will lose myself then.
Still remembered, my dearest,
You walking in a soft blue dress.
Do you still remember it too?
If you say yes, my heart will be full.

I will lose my heart in blue.
I will feel the depth of space-time.

In the peace of the expansive blue sky,
I see the beauty that graces your face.
In the clarity of the vast blue sea,
Your compassionate, clear heart is visible.
In the blue-hued, expansive sky,
My Love , I feel your rich, broad knowledge.
The coolness given by the blue sky, the blue sea,
My Love, I feel it in your gaze.

I will lose my heart in blue.
I will feel the depth of space-time.

Lionel Richie's voice is one that tears through the heart and melts the soul!

Digital Art using Google Nano Banana by VNG

Following the 1983 riots in Sri Lanka, for the very first time in a foreign land, in the world-renowned city of New York, America, while I was wandering as a refugee, there were four singers whose songs resonated everywhere. Therefore, whenever memories of those singers arise, I am reminded of those days spent wandering as a refugee on American soil.

Lionel Richie, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Joel, and Michael Jackson were those singers. It was also the time when Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' had been released. Black teenage boys would play Michael Jackson's songs on cassette players on the sidewalks, twisting, turning, and cutting their bodies to perform 'break dance.'

V.N.Giritharan Song - 'Life is a Chess Game!'

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V.N. Giritharan Songs - https://www.youtube.com/@girinav1 - My songs with music and vocals by Artificial Intelligence. Listen and enjoy. Share your thoughts. If you like the songs, please don't forget to subscribe to the 'V.N. Giritharan Songs' channel. Your support will greatly help in the growth of this channel. Thank you.
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V.N.Giritharan Song - 'Life is a Chess Game!'
Music & Vocal - SUNO AI    Image - Google AI

**This song is an English translation of my Tamil song

Chess is a game.
Life, too, is a game.

To win in chess,
Thinking before moving is crucial.
To win on earth,
Pondering before moving is essential.

Chess is a game.
Life, too, is a game 

Chess is a battlefield.
Life, too, is a battlefield.
To win on the battlefield,
Patience is extremely necessary.

Chess is a game.
Life, too, is a game 

Those who are patient will rule the earth.
In the battlefield, those who are patient will achieve victory.
In chess, they will create achievements 
Whatever comes, they will rise and conquer.

Chess is a game.
Life, too, is a game.

V.N.Giritharan's Song: "Arise, O super human!"

 

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V.N. Giritharan Songs - https://www.youtube.com/@girinav1 - My songs with music and vocals by Artificial Intelligence. Listen and enjoy. Share your thoughts. If you like the songs, please don't forget to subscribe to the 'V.N. Giritharan Songs' channel. Your support will greatly help in the growth of this channel. Thank you.
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V.N.Giritharan's Song:  "Arise, O super human!" 
Music & Voice: AI SUNO | Artwork: AI
*This is the translation of a slightly modified original Tamil poem written by me.

Concrete! Concrete! Concrete!
Concrete! Concrete! Concrete!

Concrete! Forests.
In every direction one sees,
Concrete! Forests.
Concrete! Forests.
Concrete! Concrete! Concrete!

Concrete! Concrete! Concrete!
Concrete! Concrete! Concrete!

Walls that absorb the rays.
Walls that absorb the rays.
Concrete walls!

Concrete trees that spew heat
Cement-smiling pavements.
Radiant heat draining
In the filtration of gas armies.

V.N.Giritharan's Song: "Arise, O super human!"

******************************************************************************************
V.N. Giritharan Songs - https://www.youtube.com/@girinav1 - My songs with music and vocals by Artificial Intelligence. Listen and enjoy. Share your thoughts. If you like the songs, please don't forget to subscribe to the 'V.N. Giritharan Songs' channel. Your support will greatly help in the growth of this channel. Thank you.
******************************************************************************************

V.N.Giritharan's Song:  "Arise, O super human!" 
Music & Voice: AI SUNO | Artwork: AI

*This is the translation of a slightly modified original Tamil poem written by me.

Concrete! Concrete! Concrete!
Concrete! Concrete! Concrete!

Concrete! Forests.
In every direction one sees,
Concrete! Forests.
Concrete! Forests.
Concrete! Concrete! Concrete!

Concrete! Concrete! Concrete!
Concrete! Concrete! Concrete!

Walls that absorb the rays.
Walls that absorb the rays.
Concrete walls!

Poem: Let's cherish them! Let's worship trees! by V.N.Giritharan

*This song is an English translation of my Tamil song

Let's cherish them! Let's worship trees!
Let's cherish them! Let's worship trees!

At night, trees sleep.
At night, trees sleep.
Not only that,
Yes!
At night, trees sleep.
At night, trees sleep.
Let the trees sleep.
Let the trees sleep.
Let the trees sleep.
At night
Let the trees sleep.
At night
Let the trees sleep.
At night
Let the trees sleep.

Not only that,
They also converse.
They also converse.

Do you know, friends!
Do you know, friends!

Is it surprising?
But, that is the truth too.
Is it surprising?
But, that is the truth too.
Ask the scientists.
You will know!
Yes! You will know!
That it is the truth.