எஸ். ராமகிருஷ்ணன் பயண இலக்கியங்களில் ‘இரவு’: 'Night' in S. Ramakrishnan’s Travel Literature

Abstract

In Tamil literature, 'Night' is portrayed not merely as a shift in time, but as a profound expression of human emotions and a symbol of a life lived in harmony with nature. In travel literature, night cannot be defined simply as a span of time; it often marks an interlude in a long journey. While daytime travel focuses on external vistas mountains, rivers, roads, buildings, people, and other living beings night compels the traveler to turn their gaze inward. The solitude experienced while sitting in an unfamiliar land amidst the darkness, the longing for one's own country, city, or hometown, and the emergence of philosophical reflections elevate the prose of travel literature to a new dimension. Certain works of Tamil literature subtly illustrate how the solitude and silence of the night turn against the characters. Ultimately, in Tamil literature, the night is not merely darkness; it is a nuanced symbol of life that encompasses everything.

Keywords

• Tamil literature
• travel literature
• எஸ். ராமகிருஷ்ணன்
• S Ramakrishnan’s Travel Literature