Inquilab (writer)

Makkal Pavalar
Inquilab
Born
S.H.S. Sahul Hameed

c. 1944
Kilakarai, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, India)
Died (aged 72)
Urapakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationTamil Professor
Children1 Daughter (Ameena Parvin) and 2 Sons
Writing career
Pen nameInquilab
LanguageTamil
SubjectLiterature
Notable worksAvvai, Kaandhal Naatkal
Notable awardsSahitya Akademi Award (2017)
Movement
Marxist

S.H.S. Sahul Hameed (Born 1944 – 1 December 2016) was a Sahitya Akademi Award winning Tamil poet, writer, activist from Tamil Nadu.He was known by his pen name Inquilab.Also fondly called as Makkal Pavalar

Biography

Inquilab birth name was orthodox Muslim family as S.H.S. Sahul Hameed at Kilakarai in Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu. He studied in Thiagarajar College in Madurai. He retired as a Tamil professor at The New College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.Inquilab had three children, one daughter (Ameena Parvin) and two sons.

Political Participation

He was initially drawn to the Dravidian movement and jailed for taking part in the 1965 Anti-Hindi protests. However, after the 1968 Kilvenmani massacre of Dalits, he shifted toward Marxism and became a member of Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M).He was working with various Left and Marxist-Leninist groups. He also met LTTE founder Velupillai Prabhakaran. He also a well known follower of Periyar.

Literary Career

At the age of 12, Inquilab wrote his first poem, on the harassment of a little girl who had been abandoned in a dargha as a mentally ill child.His poems espousing rationality have been critically acclaimed.Kanmani Rajam, his most famous poem, criticizes the moral bankruptcy of politicians.

His song/poem Naanga Manushangada (We are human beings) is a famous Dalit-freedom song that is still played in many Dalit gatherings. Avvai, his drama is considered to be the first modern Tamil drama, and a prescribed textbook for many colleges. In this revisionist account, the historical/mythic Avvai, contrary to the prevalent image of her as an old, wise, celibate woman, is rendered as a young, sensuous, creative, 'free' person, a wandering bard.The play also challenges the patriarchal view which has marginalized the female voice.

His other famous literary works include modern versions of Manimekalai and Kuṟiñcippāṭṭu.

He was also involved in vocal expression of discontent of removal of statue of a Tamil legendary icon Kannagi in 2002 by the then AIADMK-led Government of Tamil Nadu.

He has been selected posthumously for the Sahitya Akademi Award for his book Kaandhal Naatkal in 2017. However, his family declined the award, saying he did not write expecting awards and felicitations.

Bibliography

Essays

  • Ethirsol (எதிர்சொல்)
  • Inquilab Katturaigal (இன்குலாப் கட்டுரைகள்)
  • Inqulab Nadagangal (இன்குலாப் நாடகங்கள்)

Interview Compilation

  • Inquilab Nerkanalgal (இன்குலாப் நேர்காணல்கள்)
  • Maanuda Kural: Inquilab Nerkanalgal (மானுடக் குரல்: இன்குலாப் நேர்காணல்கள்)

Drama

  • Avvai (ஔவை)

Short Story

  • Ovoru Pullayum Peyar Solli Alaiypen (ஒவ்வொரு புல்லையும் பெயர் சொல்லி அழைப்பேன்)
  • Paalayil Oru Sunai (பாலையில் ஒரு சுனை)
  • Aanal (ஆனால்)

Poetry

  • Kaandhal Naatkal (காந்தள் நாட்கள்)
  • Theeratha Kavithuvathin Sudar (தீராத கவித்துவத்தின் சுடர்)

Translation

  • Yata Durei Jai - Bengali Poems (நான் போகும் இடமெல்லாம்)

Death

He died at the age of 72 on 1st December 2016 when he underwent treatment in private hospital in Chennai. His family donated his body to the Chengalpattu Government Medical College hospital as per his wishes

Awards and recognitions

See also

References

  1. ↑ Padma, V. (September 2000). "Re-presenting protest and resistance on stage: Avvai". Indian Journal of Gender Studies. 7 (2): 217–230. doi:10.1177/097152150000700205. S2CID 145735247.
  2. ↑ "Tamil-poet-Inquilab-dies-at-72.htm". livemint.com. 7 October 2026.
  3. ↑ "'Makkal Kavignar' Inquilab passes away". newindianexpress.com. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  4. ↑ "inquilabs-revolution". frontline.thehindu.com. 7 October 2026.
  5. ↑ MSSRF | Voicing Silence | Video Catalogue Archived 2007-08-14 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ "For, of and by women". The Hindu. 30 January 2002. p. 08. Archived from the original on 10 November 2003. Retrieved 5 December 2016 – via The Hindu (old).
  7. ↑ Santhanam, Kausalya (29 December 2005). "Ode to the Parambu hills". The Hindu. p. 04. Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2016 – via The Hindu (old).
  8. ↑ Controversy over a statue
  9. ↑ "Sahitya Akademi Award 2017" (PDF). Sahitya Akademi. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  10. ↑ Kolappan, B. (22 December 2017). "Inquilab gets Sahitya Akademi award". The Hindu.
  11. ↑ "Inquilab Books". commonfolks.in. 28 September 2026. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  12. ↑ "Inquilab Books". noolulagam.com. 28 September 2026. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  13. ↑ Kolappan, B. (2 December 2016). "Poet Inquilab is no more". The Hindu.