எஸ. ரமகரஷணனன சஞசரம நவல கடடம நதஸவரக கலஞரகளன பணபட / Culture of Nathaswaram Artists in the Novel Sancharam by S. Ramakrishnan

Literature explains human life. From the Sangam literature to the current modern Tamil literature, human lives have been highlighted. Moreover, the literature of this present period exemplifies the experiences of human life. The novel “Sancharam” was written by the renowned Tamil author S. Ramakrishnan. S. Ramakrishnan portrays the life of Nathaswara artists in the novel in a deep introspection. He tells the story of the pathetic Nathaswara artists and their struggle for life in a society full of caste based oppression. This novel has received the Sahitya Akademi award in the year 2018. Music wins the bread of the day for the Nathaswara artists. It blends them mentally aesthetic and expresses their feelings through music. They make the listeners enjoy and to tends them to realize their life by heart. However, it is doubtful whether such Nathaswara artists achieve full enjoyment in their lives. The Nathaswara artists depicted in the novel “Sancharam” are oppressed by the caste system and has been humiliated on many levels. They are not fully paid for the concert that they have done. Even they cannot talk about it. In fact, the income that the Nathaswara artists earn is not enough to support their families. Some artists are known for their musical talent but economically they are very weak. Therefore, this novel portrays the progress of the life of Nathaswara artists. This paper highlights the cultural status of Nathaswara artists in the Tamil society.