Tamil writer Devibharathi’s novel Neervazhi Padooum, depicting the life of the Kudi Navithar, the community barbers in the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu, has won the Sahitya Akademi award for 2023. Neervazhi Padooum is a line from Purananuru poem, a Sangam age literary work. The lines Neervazhi Padooum “punaipol aaruyir muraivazhi padoom” translates to a float that sails on the way of the water, indicating that life travels on the path chalked out by fate.
“The award has offered me great recognition. The Sahitya Akademi’s recognition will take the novel to other languages in the country,” said 65-year old Devibharathi, who had worked with literary magazine Kalachuvadu for 10 years including as editor-incharge for 7 years.
Narrated through an unnamed character (the author), the story begins at the death of Kaaru Mama (Kaaru Uncle) at Udayampalayam and the narrators’ memories of him intertwines with present day life. When Kaaru Mama’s wife eloped with another man with her children, he reconciled himself to the reality though he gradually lost his mind, and died almost like an orphan. His wife Rasamma also attended the death ceremony and his son Sundaram also made himself present.
