Jul 18, 2003 01:13 PM
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(Updated Jul 18, 2003 01:13 PM)
The magazine’s name is Thuglak seems to be a typo in the name of the category in MS.
The editor is the much-noted Cho Ramasamy who is well known for his unbiased and incisive thoughts on current affairs. One thing, which is absent in this mag, is like the words of Cho, No loose talks.
I love very many aspects in this mag and some are
Satire
This is one virtue that describes the state of people and politics. As someone said, Imagination is given to man to compensate him for what he isn’t and a sense of humour to console him for what he is. Without the sense of humour, we cannot explain politics to others. Lots of Satirical cartoons and write ups. You find a political cartoon right on the cover in every issue that sets the tone for further reading.
Editorial
This is too much. The insights given therein would be surprisingly evidenced by tamasha in newspapers. It is totally unbiased. So much so, both Ruling and opposition loathe thuglak and acid was thrown on cho in one of the public meetings. Goondagiri was the way adopted by cheap petty politicians to counter his statements. That indeed is a quantum leap for democracy.
Many issues on policies envisaged in the editorial have indeed become true later. Some examples,
Critique TN/Indian govt for their overt and covert support to Tamil Tigers in late 80s.
Predicting Vajpayee’s visit to Lahore might backfire when Mushy and terrorist goons keep sniping at common men when Govts of India and Pak are engaged in talks
Warning against slack in police patrolling in coimbatore which lead to eruption of communal riots
Stand supporting the government when Govt Employees went on strike and urge for successful negotiations as recently as a couple of weeks back.
. . . . The list goes on…
Views of Thuglak on many of the above issues were vehemently contested by other dailies and arivu jeevis who were proved wrong in the course of time.
Television
Reviews on TV Programs on all popular channels are given in cool narration without very strong opinions but exposing the idiotic ones in a delightful way. This is far better than those given in other magazines. Vinodh, the author of this section, has a way with commenting programs.
Gurumurthi’s pages
His column Thanner vitto valarthom has many insights on current affairs. I love the part on how hindu muslim unity is thwarted by artificially crating a separate law system (modifications to shariat) and hence led to the partition. The part on the plight of workers in fireworks factory at Sivakasi and how the pseudo intellectuals got a ban on diwali crackers via campaign in schools and how the industry has disappeared with workers now in city slums is just too much
Overall, this is a wonderful magazine and I do not mind spending the 6 bucks a week and my Friday is the happening day of the week. This weekly is a must read for everyone who (apart from knowing Tamil) want to see a proof that Vulgarity and Obscenity are not required for making a weekly popular and that can be achieved by indeed carrying a message to the society in every issue
