June 27: Pachyderm Tales, a literary consultancy that started in 2020, hosted a meet and greet to celebrate the Tamil writers it had represented for its third anniversary in Abu Sarovar Portico, Chennai, on 25th June. The Founder and CEO of Pachyderm Tales, Dr R Lakshmi Priya, gave the welcome address to the august gathering. The occasion was graced by Ms Padmapriya, the founder of ‘Vithai Vithaipom’ and Ms Girija Raghavan, founder and Editor of Ladies Special, a prominent Tamil magazine. Magna Jewellers sponsored gifts to the special guests. Ms Uma, CMO of Pachyderm Tales, gave away books and souvenirs to the special guests and authors Deepika Vairam, Shanthini Devi, Dr. Muthulakshmi, Ruby Sahana, Swetha Sudakar, Muthu Vijayan, Ramesh Krishna, Salem Suba, Ganesh Bala, Rasai Kalimuthu, Dr. Begum, Dr. Thilagavathy, Bharati Kumar, Dr. Deepa Priya Ramanan, Dr. Nachimuthu, Lalitha Shankar, Ravindran, Sairenu Shankar, Dr. Sujatha, Subi, Anuraj, Karunanidhi and Durai.
As a part of the event, a writing grant of 25,000 INR was announced to promote writing culture in Tamil among Womxn under 25. “The grant would be awarded to a deserving individual every year,” says Pachyderm Tales. The grant would support all the young women who want to take time off and finish their half-finished novels. Ms Mohanasundari, CEO of Sharp Electrodes, sponsors this year’s Grant in memory of her husband, Mr Jagannathan.
To further encourage writing in Tamil, a short story writing competition was also announced for Tamil girls across the globe. This is in collaboration with Ladies Special Magazine. Ms Girija Raghavan unveiled this poster, and Sowbagya Home appliances would give prizes for the same. “Progressive subjects have been selected for the contest, and it will be great watching young minds tackle the issues of today and propose fresh solutions to them”, – declares Uma Aparna, the Co-Director of Pachyderm Tales.
As many as thirty Tamil authors were part of this event. All of their books were represented by Pachyderm Tales. “It is so moving and refreshing to see the authors’ affection for us. It encourages us to do more for them, bring more books to the society at large,” said Dr Lakshmi Priya, the Director of Pachyderm Tales. The authors shared the stories of their Penhood on how writing keeps them happy and positive. The Jumbo clan members Shanthini Devi, Poornima Shree and Akshaya Chandru, helped organise the event. Ms Girija Raghavan, Director, Editor – Ladies Special Magazine, spoke on how technology is essential in developing the regional languages today, while Padma Priya addressed the extremely important contemporary issue – the environment. Her speech focused on how writing on environmental issues can help in positive transformation. Posters of three books written in Tamil and represented by Pachyderm Tales to be published by Ukiyoto Publishing house were also launched during the event.
