Bhanumati:

Since I wasa small child I used to read story books a lot. Because of my love for books I got the inspiration to write.

Alamelu :

As a small child, I used to read a lot of storybooks – Sujatha, Lakshmi, Indumati, Sandilyan. Uma Aparna encouraged me to write.

Kamala :

I like Tamil a lot.Kumudham, Ananda Vigadan etc. I did Katha kalashetram and was a storytelling expert. So I decided to write stories. I read Sujatha, Shree Venugopal – a spiritual writer, Tangadurai – a contemporary writer.

Bhanumati:

I have written for Bhagvada Kathaigal. Herein, I have explored the stories of Yashoda and Kannan. How, everyone likes Krishna. I have written in Nadodi kathaigal. In this collection of folktales, grama kathas, I have written on a story on Akbar and Birbal. I have contributed to the anthology – Avvaiyar Amdudha Muyvigel – narratives on the memorable and precious quotes of Tamil Poetess. Then I worked on the anthology Thukadagal which is a lot of small stories strung together. My story Odiporavan is on how a girl will suffer if her husband disappears.

Kamala:

I have written for the anthology Dasaavatar. I picked the Parasuraman avataram. This avatarn of Vishnu is an avesham avataran, where the Seer/Sage is short tempered. He serves his father Jamadagni and severs the head of his mother Renuka Devi. Then with the permission of his father  he puts the head back creating two goddesses now Renuka Devi and Marimman.

Vanaja:

Our mother tongue is Tamil.

Jayanti:

The reading habit in Tamil must be inculcated. When we buy a dress for a child’s birthday. We must buy a book for the child as well.

Jayanti:

I did a PhD when I was in my 60s and teaching in a college. I am very proud of a song I wrote which was recorded with Carnatic music by a 10 year old girl and she had included my song among other songs by luminaries. My song was on teachers day and its message was –

Teachers taught us alphabets and letters

They are the ladder

They take us up in life

Brinda:

I was always interested in study. I used to read a lot of Tamil magazines. Elders in those days used to say they spoil the children’s mind, but my parents would encourage me to read.  I have studied Tamil in school. My child studied in English. We must help children understand Tamil. That’s why I think its important to write, create literature and spread Tamil.

Vanaja:

I had a lot of love for Tamil. My children are in America and my great grand children want to learn Tamil. It is very important to know Tamil. All our children must know Tamil. All our stories in the anthologies are in Tamil.

Brinda:

I did BSc in mathematics. After marriage, I did an MA and Mphil. I studied the works of Vallallar the poet and Ramalingayal Adigelall, who believed in the spiritual path of bhakti.

Ruckmani:

We started learning English in the 6^th standard. Tamil was from 1^st standard. We think in Tamil, it comes naturally to us. I used to read a lot of books and my father also used to buy a lot of books. Kumudham, Vigadan, writing by Balakumaran, Sujatha, and Kalki’s classic Ponniyan Selyan. I used to keep writing poetry. I liked writing. Then Uma Aparna became a friend. Through the Pachyderm Tales project, we all joined the writing community. Lakshmi Priya is a great leader and thinks differently. We were all stunned by seeing what she was doing. We don’t just write the story. We would just get together as a group and decide what to write. Some of the books I have written for are Athichudi stories, Temple stories, etc. We all liked contributing to the anthologies, and I got a lot of feedback from people. My favourite contribution was for Velar Nachiyar. I took the angle of how girls were a part of the independence movement. I wrote a story about Kuili, who was the leader of the squad that helped Velan Nachiyar.

I wanted to write about girls and women who are making an outstanding contribution. I wrote about Lakshmi Priya, about Dr. Renuka helping leprosy patients.

In Tamil Nadu, the reading habits have reduced. Everybody has a story. There is often more than one story.

Brinda:

I did BSc in mathematics. Then I did my MPhil on Vallallr, Tamil saint and poet who wrote on the spiritual path or bhakti. I have published in 6 books and 4 more are on the way.

Brinda:

6 books published. 4 more on the way. I write to ensure my stories have a message on values. People must read our stories and know something.

Vanaja:

I was always intent on reading and writing as a child. I started writing 4-5 years ago. 16 books will be published.

Jayanthi:

We don’t give enough preference to Tamil. I did my PhD in Tamil. If you want to be a Tamil writer, you must study Tamil. I used to write in different types of genres. I went to Sita Lakshmi College and wanted to educate children. As a writer, my intent was to take Tamil to the schools.

Jayanthi:

My father was a writer. So, I liked writing a lot. My mother used to run a school. I used to write for Vigadan, Kalki, Kumudhan, when I was in school. I have interviewed many people in cine field. My mother started a school. When I taught children I used to teach Alzh Villiappa’s songs. His children’ s songs were very good. He was superstar of children’s literature. We liked the songs. I wanted songs for my school children. I write poems. I have written more than 80 books – biographies of  many people including JK Rowling.

Brinda:

I can’t write is what I thought. I had written with Mangelmallar. I have been writing for 30 years. My name is well known among those who read Tamil Magazine – Brinda Ramani. I have written really popular articles – 30 types of rasam, 30 types of dosa etc. Being a well known writer, I was on facebook. I blog. I did these projects for Uma Aparna.

Kamala:

I like Tamil a lot. Kumudham, Ananda Vigadan, Katha kalakshetram. I am a storytelling expert. So, I decided to write stories. Kalki, Sujata, I like a lot. Shree Venugopal is spiritual writer and Pushpa Tangedurai is a contemporary writer.

Kamala:

I contributed to the anthology Dasavataram. I wrote about the Parashuraman avatar. This is an aveshan avatara, because he is short tempered. Due to bhakti to his father Jamadagni – he severs the head of his mother. This devi, whose head is then replaced is known as Mariamman, Renuka Devi, Yellamma etc.

Vanaja:

Our mother tongue is Tamil we must encourage it. Reading habit should be inculcated rigorously. Just as buy dresses for children during their birthday we must buy books too.

Jayanthi:

I have done my PhD. My happiest memory is when a 10 year old creates this song with Carnatic music base –

Flower bud

Teachers teach us alphabets and letters.

They are the ladder

They take us up

Revathi:

Working on these anthologies we learn so much about culture. Through writing literature, we are able to experience culture. We should not let go of our culture and heritage.

Praveena:

It is very important to write about culture.

Revathi:

Every mother must ensure that the child knows Tamil. We must all make an effort to learn Tamil.

Praveena:

Culture is disappearing.

Revathi:  

We should get children to learn all languages. English, Hindi and Tamil. We should teach children Tamil. We should not forget Tamil.

Praveena:

I am Tamilian and proud to say this to the world. We must take the Thirukural and understands the basics there – how to lead a happy life, be content etc.

Hema :

Children today don’t know Tamil. It is to help children learn reading and writing in Tamil that I started writing. I have just started. My mission has just started.

Prabha:

We were featured in the Guinness book of records. We brought out 52 books by 62 writers.

Hema:

I got a lot of support from my daughter.

Mythali:  

Tamil is disappearing. English is today the main subject. In the Tamil we speak there is a lot of English mixture. In our daily speech we use 80% English and 20% Tamil. It is important we introduce children to the Tamil world.

Revathi:

Tamil is the language of our state. It is easy to destroy but difficult to preserve your heritage, your mother tongue. I am also fluent in Hindi and do, Tamil and Hindi translations.

Prabha:

I produce a youtube channel.

Hema:

I have wanted to write a lot. I am also a storyteller.

Prabha:

I have a good team and a good publisher. I would like to thank them for supporting me with my writing.

Mythali:

I was recently introduced to Uma Aparna. I was running a Montessori school. I have lot of experience in telling stories. Uma Aparna motivated me.

Hema:

 I have written stories online, infact both stories and poems online. Through this project I got a chance to write for publication.

Praveena:

  I used to write poems in both English and Tamil. When I was a teacher in school I used to tell stories to students. I used to teach English through stories. I have a youtube channel where I tell stories. Uma Aparna motivated me to write stories. I have written the story of Mimmini and Kinkini – the story of two friends.