பருக்கை (Parukkai) - வீரபாண்டியன் (Veerapandian)

The first thing that came to my mind after reading this book was how come i never heard of this book and how come well known authors like S.Ra , Jeyamohan  and others never talked about this book. Surprisingly good book. The subject is unique and i felt it must be told. Kudos to the author for taking this subject.

"சுதந்திரத்தை என்னால்சாப்பிட முடியவில்லை
சோறு கொடு" - ஈரோடு தமிழன்பன்

For me the theme of this book is - hunger. As one character says " if there is no hunger then there is no world" how true it is. I cried many times while reading this book. This is the story of group of students staying in government hostel. The author beautifully explores the various problems faced by the students.  To overcome the financial burden and to eat good food these students do part time job - their preferred one is catering services. But the catering job is not as easy as one might think. Their constant fight with hunger while serving food and the wrath of supervisor makes their life miserable. But they have no other choice.

கந்தையணிந்தோம் இருகையை விரித்தெங்கள் மெய்யினைப் போர்த்தோம்மொந்தையிற் கூழைப்  பலர்மொய்த்துக் குடித்துப் படுத்துக்கிடந்தோம்”    -பாரதிதாசன்

Most of the conversations revolves around capitalism and its impact. The author shows how the working class suffer at the hands of the rich and powerful through the catering service business. Though the author did not talk anywhere about caste but he clearly indicates the discomfort of some group of students about the allotment of scholarship money to SC and ST. Also the author justifies it by saying its needed for social justice and equal opportunities.

"உயிரே இல்லாத ஜாதி எத்தன உயிர்களை கொல்லுது பாத்தியா? மதம் மாற்றச் சட்டம் மாதிரி, ஜாதிமாற்றச் சட்டத்த உள்ள விடுவானுங்களா?”

How many times we have seen young men serving in parties and marriages and how many times we get angry on them for small things we never know who they really are and whats their stories, well , this book answers that. With hope and ambition lots of students leaves their native and goes to Chennai for their education but the reality struck them hard. No food and no proper place to stay and forced to do all sort of part time jobs. Of course these problems are only for low income and poor students . The author exposes the pathetic condition of government hostels. In reality ,what these students want want is good food and a place to rest, may be monthly scholarship for post graduate students. But no government is willing to listen and do the necessary, The author highlights the pathetic conditions of libraries in colleges and universities and how students are suffering because of it..

The writing is simple and diary like read. The writing just flows. This book received Yuva Purskar award.The writing clearly indicates that the author had experienced the lifestyle explored in this story. Each chapter starts with a quote about hunger and food - which sets the tone for that chapter. Each of those quotes are simply superb. There is no such thing as story in this novel - its just like someone narrating bits and pieces of his life.

A must read !