கவி கா.மு. ஷெரீபின் ‘கண்ணகியின் கனவு!’: Poet Kavi Ka.Mu. Sheriff’s “Kannagi’s Dream”

Abstract

This research article examines Kannagi’s Dream, a collection of literary essays written by Kalaimamani Poet Kavi Ka. Mu. Sheriff, first published in December 1982. The book explores the richness of classical Tamil literature by connecting its literary traditions with contemporary social, cultural, ethical, and intellectual perspectives. It comprises fourteen essays that discuss various dimensions of Tamil literary heritage, including the epic Silappathikaram, Sangam literature, Tamil political traditions, love and human relationships, Kamban’s character portrayal, Thirukkural ethics, devotion, social justice, and common ownership. The study focuses on the thematic structure, literary perspectives, narrative techniques, conversational style, social consciousness, and linguistic features of the work. Through essays such as “Kannagi’s Dream,” the author presents Kannagi as a woman of mental strength, self-respect, and clarity of thought. His discussions on ancient Tamil diplomatic traditions, Sangam poetry, and the concept of common ownership highlight the intellectual and cultural contributions of Tamil society. Furthermore, the essays on devotion, humanitarian values, and moral principles reveal the author's emphasis on ethical living and social responsibility. The distinctive feature of this work lies in its effective use of storytelling, dialogue, literary references, comparison, and humour to communicate complex literary ideas in an accessible manner. The study concludes that Kannagi’s Dream serves as a significant literary bridge between classical Tamil traditions and contemporary social thought, encouraging readers to understand, appreciate, and preserve Tamil literary and cultural heritage.

Keywords

• Kavi Ka. Mu. Sheriff
• Kannagi’s Dream
• Tamil Literature
• Silappathikaram
• Sangam Literature
• Literary Essays
• Social Thought
• Tamil Cultural Heritage.