Dominic Jeeva

Dominic Jeeva (Tamil: டொமினிக் ஜீவா; June 27, 1927) is a prominent minority Sri Lankan Tamil author and literary figure from Sri Lanka. He is also a member of the marginalized Dalit caste. Dominic Jeeva was for a period of time forgotten as a writer. He first became known to non-Tamil speaking readers after a review of his book Pathukai, a collection of short stories.

In the beginning of his life, his career began as a beautician, at No:60 Kasturiyar Street in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. At that time, he was fascinated by Mahatma Gandhi, and the policies of Indian Congress Party. During this period he was acquainted with Mr. Tampo Rajagopal Master, who inspired him to read various books, initially taught him to write and introduced him to many other writers such as S. Ponnumdurai (author of the novel “Sadangu”). Later, Dominic Jeeva leaned towards the leftist political movements and raised his voice in trade union meetings in support of oppressed workers. He wrote his first story while working at the beauty parlour and later. He always mentions that the “beauty parlour is his university” and often praises Rajagopal Master as his mentor.

Though he has no academic background, Jeeva has become one of the most prominent writers in the Tamil world. Dominic Jeeva has been the editor for Mallikai, a monthly journal on literature for more than four decades called. Mallikai has been described as an important forum for the publication of progressive writing. In the 1960s he received a Sri Lanka Sahithya Academy Award.

Dominic Jeeva is also the author and publisher of many books and has also written several short stories. Jeeva has also established a publishing center called "Mallikai Panthal" publisher.

Essays

Biography

Other Books