Sujatha
Biography
S. Rangarajan (3 May 1935 – 27 February 2008), popularly known by his pen name Sujatha, was an Indian author, novelist, and screenwriter who wrote predominantly in Tamil. One of the most influential literary figures in modern Tamil literature, Sujatha authored over 100 novels, 250 short stories, 10 books on science, 10 stage plays, and a volume of poetry. He was widely read, and his works spanned genres including detective fiction, science fiction, and social narratives.
Apart from literature, Sujatha contributed significantly to Tamil cinema as a screenwriter and dialogue writer, with notable films including Vikram, Thiruda Thiruda, Boys, and Sivaji. Many of his early novels, such as Priya, Gayathri, Karaiyellam Senbagapoo, and Anandha Thandavam, were adapted into successful films.
Early Life and Education
Sujatha was born in Srirangam, Trichy, in Tamil Nadu. He later spent much of his life in Bangalore, which became a recurring backdrop in his writings. His upbringing in these culturally rich cities influenced the vivid settings and authentic dialogues that became a hallmark of his work.
In addition to his literary pursuits, Sujatha was an electronics engineer. He worked at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), where he supervised the design and production of the electronic voting machine (EVM), which is now widely used in elections across India.
Literary Career
Sujatha’s writing career was marked by versatility and accessibility. His stories were widely published in popular Tamil periodicals such as Ananda Vikatan, Kumudam, Kalki, Kungumam, and Dhinamani Kadhir. He was also a brief editor at Kumudam, contributing to both columns and serialized fiction.
Writing Style and Influence
Sujatha was known for popularizing complex scientific and technological concepts in simple Tamil, making science and technology accessible to the general public. Columns like Silicon Chip in Dinamani Kadhir and Yen, Yedharku, Eppadi in Junior Vikatan exemplified this approach.
His novels often broke away from the then-dominant social/family dramas and historical narratives, focusing instead on technology, suspense, and contemporary urban life.
Sujatha had an uncanny ability to capture the speech, behavior, and mindset of common people, making his characters highly relatable.
He inspired several contemporary Tamil writers, including Balakumaran and Madhan.
Detective Fiction: Ganesh–Vasanth Series
One of his most celebrated contributions to Tamil literature was the Ganesh–Vasanth detective series.
Ganesh: a level-headed senior advocate
Vasanth: his flirtatious junior advocate
The series, inspired by James Hadley Chase's Vic Malloy and sidekick dynamic, became a benchmark for legal and detective fiction in Tamil literature.
Notable Novels
Pirivom Sandhipom
Rathham Ore Niram
Kolaiyudhir Kaalam
Priya
Gayathri
Karaiyellam Senbagapoo
Anandha Thandavam
Contributions to Cinema
Sujatha’s transition from literature to cinema was seamless, as he brought his storytelling skills to screenwriting and dialogue writing. Notable films include:
Vikram
Thiruda Thiruda
Boys
Sivaji
Many films were adaptations of his own novels, ensuring that his stories reached a wider audience.
Later Life
In his later years, Sujatha focused more on essays and reflections, such as the collection Katradhum-Petradhum. He dedicated time to reading old Tamil literature and keeping up with advances in information technology and computing.
He passed away on 27 February 2008, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most versatile and popular Tamil authors of the 20th century.
