Pa. Raghavan, often called Para, is a noted writer, journalist, and editor of the Tamil language, best known for his political histories. He famously served as the Chief Editor of Kizhakku Pathippagam (the Tamil division of New Horizon Media Private Limited) for nearly two decades after joining them around 2004. Later, he moved on to independent projects. His celebrated works – Dollar Desam, Mayavalai, and Nilamellam Raththam are considered milestones in Tamil non-fiction writing.
Writer Pa. Raghavan: Exploring His Journey from Kizhakku Publications to Tamil TV Records
Raghavan was born in Adyar, Chennai, into a family of teachers. He was born on 8 October 1971 to R. Parthasarathy, a government employee, and P. Ramamani. His father, who originally hailed from Thanjavur District, served as a teacher and later held various posts such as Head Master, District Education Officer, and retired as Deputy Director in the Department of Education. He also authored a few books.
As his father got transferred to different places as a part of his government job, Raghavan’s childhood days were spent in different parts of the Chengalpet District. Later, the family shifted to Chennai, where he completed his school and college education. He took a diploma in Mechanical Engineering, yet he chose writing as his professional career.
Para was interested in writing from an early age. His first published work was a Children’s Poem in the Tamil Magazine ‘Gokulam’. In 1989, he developed a friendship with noted writer Ma. Ve. Sivakumar, which helped him to develop his writing skills better. He wrote the story ‘Mohenjodaro’, a critical review connected to the Ram Janma Bhoomi – Babar Masjid issue, which marked his association with Tamil Magazine in the early 1990s.
He started his journalist career as a sub-editor in Amudhasurabi Monthly Magazine
He worked as an editor and journalist on different publishing platforms. Alongside, he had an active writing career too. In 1992, he became the Assistant Editor of the weekly magazine Kalki and worked under it for a long 8 years till he joined Kumudam in the year 2000 as Assistant Editor. He was later appointed as the editor of the newly started Kumudam Junction.
In 2003, he left journalism and completely switched to publishing and writing. He is most popular as a non-fiction writer. He also wrote dialogues for TV shows and movies. He wrote dialogues for the movies such as ‘Thambi Vettothi Sundaram’ and ‘Kanagavel Kakka’, and television serials like ‘Sivasakthi’ of SUN TV and ‘Kettimelam’ of Jaya TV.
His career as a writer – The Visionary Voice Behind Dollar Desam and Yathi
He wrote novels mostly. Alagilaa Vilayaattu, Alai Urangum Kadal, Rendu, Puviyiloridam, Mellinam, and Thoonilum Iruppaan are his published novels. His political histories earned him a special space among the most noted non-fiction Tamil writers in the contemporary and modern period. He is a recipient of the ‘Bharathiya Basha Parishad Award’ in 2004.
Also read the biography of Imayam: The Visionary Tamil Writer Unmasking Social Realities
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