அ. முத்துலிங்கத்தின் சிறுகதைகளில் சமுதாயமும் பண்பாடும்

Society and Culture in the Short Stories of A. Muttulingam

Abstract

This research paper explores the vivid portrayals of society and culture in the early short stories of the renowned contemporary Tamil writer, A. Muttulingam. Rather than serving merely as a source of aesthetic pleasure, literature functions as a vital historical document that reflects a community's lifestyle, cultural traditions, and evolving social dynamics. Drawing upon the theoretical perspective of Karthigesu Sivathamby regarding literature's role as an accelerator of societal modernization, this study delves into Muttulingam’s deep observations of human life spanning over forty years of literary contribution. Specifically, this paper analyzes a selection of his foundational early short stories—including Iruppu (Existence), Azhaippu (The Invitation), Kodai Mazhai (Summer Rain), Pakkuvam (Maturity), Akka (Elder Sister), Anula, Oorvalam (The Procession), and Oru Siruvanin Kadhai (A Boy's Story). Through these narratives, the study highlights how the author intricately weaves themes of individual, social, and economic challenges, folk traditions, and developmental differences like autism into his fiction, thereby creating a profound socio-cultural chronicle of Tamil society.