Popular
Writer
Rajaji was a very popular writer in
Tamil and English, Some of his books have a unique place in the world of
letters. He has also translated some Kannada stories into Tamil. He has
written more than thirty books. His books on the ancient Roman King Marcus
Aurelius, on the Bhagavad- Gita, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the
Upanishads are all very famous. Even a common man can read and understand
his writings. Rajaji said, "My books on the Ramayana and the Mahabharata
are my greatest service to my people." There is no exaggeration in it.
Their simple style is very attractive.
They are books, which every Indian
should read and enjoy. By translating the Ramayana and the Mahabharata
into simple and beautiful English, Rajaji has made it possible for the
people of the Western countries to read and enjoy these great epics of
India. The Mahabharata written in English by Rajaji is a textbook for Oriental
Studies in five American Universities and more than three lakh copies of
it have already been sold. Two lake copies of the Ramayana have been sold.
Rajaji spoke and wrote very simple language. He was a great scholar, but
his language was never pedantic. When people heard him speak, they were
amazed that difficult and profound ideas could be expressed in such simple
words. The same feeling comes when we read his books. Rajaji's stories
have their own charm. He had a fine sense of humor. Even while speaking
in the legislature, according to the situations he was telling some stories.
He wrote many articles in the "Swarajya". He dealt with every subject in
the country's affairs. Any article by him on any subject always presented
a new
angle. It would make the readers think
again. But the language was quite simple.
It was Rajaji who introduced teaching
of Hindi compulsory in Madras. But twenty years later Rajaji himself led
the agitation against Hindi. He felt strongly that in the eagerness to
spread Hindi as the national language, the regional languages should not
be adversely affected; their development should not be harmed. |