It is important to look at the different tenets and perspectives, to grow. вЂњI have been open to different mediums and schools of thought over the years. Over the last six months, Sundaram has been busy attending literary Zoom meetings and delivering virtual lectures on current-day problems and on the development of childrenвЂ™s literature. We as writers and creators should focus on this.вЂќ To develop an interest in children, the stories not only have to be captivating but also add value to their life. This is an area that I want to focus on in the current scenario. But, the interest in learning their mother tongue is bleak. Emphasising the need for children to have a basic knowledge of their mother tongue, he elaborates, вЂњToday, children want to go global, and in the process, are learning international languages like French, German and Japanese. Most of my creations have been built on such simple, every day events that offer a slice of life and a profound message,вЂќ shares the creative, who also established the Parkadal ChildrenвЂ™s Club.ДЄ lover of the Tamil language, Sundaram has often been a crusader in taking the richness and culture of his mozhi to the uninitiated.

This experience of mine translated into a childrenвЂ™s drama called Vazhi Kaati (Guide/role model), taking forward the message of being a trailblazer instead of waiting for others to take the first step. The happiness it gave me was indescribable. I got off the cycle and with great struggle moved it aside. But while I was returning home in the evening, I found the boulder still lying in the same place. But like everyone else, I too overlooked the obstacle and used the little space available to continue my journey. During one such commute, I noticed a huge boulder in the middle of the road, blocking traffic. вЂњI used to cycle every day to the Port Trust. The octogenarian, who worked at the Chennai Port Trust for 37 years, while working for the welfare and development of childrenвЂ™s literature, says that his stories have often been reflections of the things and events he witnessed in everyday life.

I am eternally grateful for the opportunity and encouragement I have received from AIR over the years,вЂќ says the recipient of several awards, including the Kavimamani Award and NCERT National Award for ChildrenвЂ™s Literature. ThatвЂ™s when I first wore the hat of a playwright.

вЂњIn 1960, I received a letter from AIR to write childrenвЂ™s dramas for them. I won the second place and that laid the foundation for my future endeavours,вЂќ shares the author, who has penned 80 short stories, 87 poems and songs, authored 15 books, scripted 123 stage dramas and several radio dramas for All India Radio (AIR) - all for children. It was conducted by Mylapore Kasturiba Club. вЂњMy formative exposure to a plethora of stories helped me win my first ever short story writing competition in January 1957. This wisdom has helped me write stories that are relevant to changing times and pushed me to constantly ask the question: вЂWhat are our children reading?вЂ™вЂќ says the writer, who recently turned 80.Д«orn in Mylapore in 1940, Sundaram grew up soaking in the stories narrated by the elders in his house, enabling him to think beyond the obvious. вЂњMy continuous interaction with children, over the decades has helped me understand their evolving thought process and requirement, making me a perpetual learner. CHENNAI:В Real-time anecdotes, relevant themes and a realistic approach to storytelling - for the past 63 years, SRG Sundaram, a popular childrenвЂ™s Tamil literary writer, has been on a journey of weaving words and verses, which resonate with the youth.

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