https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Charu_NiveditaCharu Nivedita - Revision history2026-07-31T19:15:49ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Charu_Nivedita&diff=453669&oldid=prevHungHay8926976 at 17:47, 13 April 20252025-04-13T17:47:57Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Tamil-language writer}}<br />
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}<br />
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] --> <br />
| name = Charu Nivedita <br />
| image = Charu Nivedita.jpg<br />
| imagesize =<br />
| caption = <br />
| pseudonym = Charu Nivedita<br />
| birth_name = K. Arivazhagan<br />
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1953|12|18}}<br />
| birth_place = Idumbavanam, [[Thiruvarur]] (then: [[Thanjavur]]), Tamil Nadu, India<br />
| death_date = <br />
| death_place = <br />
| occupation = Writer, Novelist<br />
| nationality = Indian<br />
| period = <br />
| genre = [[Autofiction]], Transgressive Fiction, [[Metafiction]], [[Postmodernism]]<br />
| notableworks = ''[[Zero Degree]]'', ''Marginal Man'', ''Morgue Keeper''<br />
| spouse = Avanthika<br />
| website = {{URL|http://charunivedita.com//}}<br />
{{URL|http://charuonline.com/blog/}}<br />
| portaldisp = y<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Charu Nivedita''' aka Charu (born 18 December 1953) is a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] writer based in [[Chennai]], [[India]].<br />
<br />
His novel ''[[Zero Degree]]'' (1998) was translated into English in 2013 and longlisted that year for the annual [[Jan Michalski Prize for Literature]].<ref name="michalski">{{cite web |url=http://www.fondation-janmichalski.com/en/prix-jan-michalski/edition-2013/ |title=Edition 2013 |publisher=Fondation-janmichalski.com |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref> It was also selected or the prestigious ''50 Writers, 50 Books - The Best of Indian Fiction'', published in 2013 by [[HarperCollins]].<ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-literaryreview/the-best-of-indian-fiction/article4890205.ece|title=The best of Indian fiction|newspaper=The Hindu |date=7 July 2013|publisher=|access-date=7 October 2017|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/print-pick/article5083445.ece|title=Print Pick|newspaper=The Hindu |date=2 September 2013|publisher=|access-date=7 October 2017|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><br />
<br />
Charu uses [[Post-modernism|postmodern]] themes in his writing. He was selected as one among 'Top Ten Indians of the Decade 2001 - 2010' by ''[[The Economic Times]]''. He is inspired by [[Marquis de Sade]] and [[Andal]].<ref name="hotbetween">{{cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article200578.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221160638/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article200578.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 December 2014 |title=Hot between the lines |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
<br />
In addition, he has written essays published in such magazines as ''[[Art Review]] Asia'', ''[[The Asian Age]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Charu Nivedita |url=http://archive.asianage.com/charu-nivedita-390 |access-date=20 December 2014 |work=The Asian Age}}</ref> and ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130424/commentary-op-ed/commentary/poor-writers-naked-rajas|title=Poor writers, naked rajas|publisher=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|access-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027202202/http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130424/commentary-op-ed/commentary/poor-writers-naked-rajas|archive-date=27 October 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><br />
<br />
His most recent novel, ''Conversations With Aurangzeb,'' was released in October 2023. It is part satire and part historical fiction, exploring the enigmatic persona of the controversial 17th-century Mughal Emperor [[Aurangzeb]]. This Novel won the [[Crossword Book Award|Crossword]] Award in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-09 |title=From Twinkle Khanna to Ruskin Bond: Big Winners at Crossword Book Awards 2024 |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/books/features/from-twinkle-khanna-to-ruskin-bond-big-winners-at-crossword-book-awards-2024-article-116127147#:~:text=Popular%20Choice%20Award:%20Charu%20Nivedita,%20Translated%20by%20Nandini%20Krishnan%20for%20Conversations%20with%20Aurangzeb%20published%20by%20HarperCollins%20Publishers%20India |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Bibliography==<br />
===Works available in English===<br />
# [[Zero Degree]] (Novel)<br />
# Marginal Man (Novel)<br />
# To Byzantium: A Turkey Travelogue <br />
# Unfaithfully Yours (Collection of articles)<br />
# [[Morgue Keeper]] (Selected short stories)<br />
# Towards a Third Cinema (Articles on Latin American Cinema)<br />
# ''Conversations With Aurangzeb''<br />
<br />
===Novels===<br />
# Existentialism and Fancy Baniyan - Tamil / Malayalam<br />
# Zero Degree - Tamil / English / Malayalam<br />
# Rasa Leela <br />
# Kaamarooba Kathaigal <br />
# Thegam <br />
# Marginal Man (Tamil title was named 'Puthiya Exile') - Tamil / English<br />
# Conversations With Aurangzeb (Tamil title was ''Naanthaan Aurangzeb'')<br />
<br />
===Short stories===<br />
# Carnataka Murasum Naveena Tamil Ilakiyathin Meethana Oru Amaipiyal Aayvum - Collection of short stories, published along with Nagaarchunan and Sylvia, aka M.D. Muthukumarasamy<br />
# Nano <br />
# Madumitha Sonna Pambu Kathaigal <br />
# Shakespeare-in Minnanjal Mugavari (Shakespeare's e-mail address)<br />
# Kadal Kanni - Short stories translated from world literature <br />
# Oorin miga azhagaana Pen – Translated short stories from world Literature <br />
# Muthukkal Pathu - Selected short stories<br />
# Morgue Keeper - Selected short stories in English in Kindle<br />
# "Diabolically Yours", in [[Exotic Gothic]], Volume 5<br />
<br />
===Collection of articles===<br />
# Konal Pakkangal - Part 1 <br />
# Konal Pakkankal - Part 2 <br />
# Konal Pakkangal - Part 3 <br />
# Dhisai Ariyum Paravaigal <br />
# Moodupani Saalai <br />
# Varambu Meeriya Pradhigal <br />
# Thoppul Thalangal <br />
# Kalagam Kaadhal Isai <br />
# Dante-yin Siruththai <br />
# Yenakku Kuzhandhaigalai Pidikadhu <br />
# Kadavulum Nanum <br />
# Kalaiyum Kaamamum <br />
# Kadavulum Saithaanum <br />
# Sarasam Sallabam Saamiyar <br />
# Vaazhvadhu eppadi <br />
# Ketta vaarththai <br />
# [[Malawi]] endroru Desam<br />
# Azaadhi Azaadhi Azaadhi <br />
# Adhigaaram Amaidhi Sudhanthiram <br />
# Kanavugalin mozhipeyarppaalan <br />
# Manamkoththi paravai <br />
# Enge Un Kadavul? <br />
# Kadaisip Pakkangal <br />
# Vetrulagavaasiyin Diarykkuripugal <br />
# Pazhuppu Nirap Pakkangal - Part 1 <br />
# Pazhuppu Nirap Pakkangal - Part 2 <br />
# Pazhuppu Nirap Pakkangal - Part 3 <br />
# Nadodiyin Natkuripugal <br />
# Medusavin Mathukoppai <br />
# Kanavu Cappucino Konjam Chatting - 1<br />
# Kanavu Cappucino Konjam Chatting - 2<br />
# Kanavugalin Mozhipayarpalan<br />
# Itchaigalin Irulveli<br />
# To Byzantium - A Turkey Travelogue (Tamil title was named 'Nilavu Theyatha Thesam) - Tamil/English<br />
# Unfaithfully Yours - Collection of articles<br />
# Mazhaiya Peigirathu<br />
# Anithavin anthapuram<br />
<br />
===Play===<br />
# Rendaam Aattam<br />
# Antonin Artaud - Oru Kilarchikkaranin Udal<br />
<br />
===Cinema review===<br />
# Latin American Cinema <br />
# Cinema: Alainthuthiribavanin Azhagiyal <br />
# Theeraakaadhali <br />
# Cinema Cinema <br />
# Naragaththilirundhu oru kural <br />
# Kanavugalin Nadanam <br />
# Towards a Third Cinema<br />
# Oliyin Perunchalanam<br />
<br />
===Collection of interviews===<br />
# Ozhunginmaiyin Veriyaattam <br />
# Ichchaigalin Irulveli (Second edition of the erstwhile Paaliyal - Oru Urayaadal that comes with the new title)<br />
<br />
===Question and Answers===<br />
# Arugil Varaadhey <br />
# Aram Porul Inbam<br />
<br />
==Awards and accolades==<br />
* ''Zero Degree'' was selected for the ''50 Writers, 50 Books - The Best of Indian Fiction'', edited by Chandra Siddan and Pradeep Sebastian, published by [[HarperCollins]].<ref name="thehindu.com"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><br />
* He was selected as among 'Top Ten Indians of the Decade 2001 - 2010' by ''[[The Economic Times]]''.<br />
* ''Zero Degree'' (in English) was long-listed for the 2013 edition of [[Jan Michalski Prize for Literature|Jan Michalski Prize]].<ref name="michalski" /><br />
* ''Zero Degree'' was selected in 2013 as one of "fifteen lesser known yet incredible Indian novels" by Mensxp.com.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mensxp.com/culture/arts/36811-15-lesser-known-yet-incredible-indian-authors-you-should-read-instead-of-chetan-bhagat-durjoy-dutta.html|title=15 Lesser Known Yet Incredible Indian Authors You Should Read Instead Of Chetan Bhagat & Durjoy Dutta|date=11 May 2017 |publisher=Mensxp.com| access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref><br />
*''[[The Hindu (Tamil)|The Hindu]]'' included Nivedita in its list of "Manathil Pathintha Mugangal 25" (Twenty-Five Eminent Personalities of [[Tamil Nadu]]) in its [[Diwali]] Malar 2014.<br />
*He received the Kannadasan Award in 2019.<br />
*''Naanthaan Aurangzeb'' was selected as the best novel of the year 2021 by Vasagasalai.<br />
* He received the 2022 [[Vishnupuram Award|Vishnupuram award]],<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/charu-nivedita-chosen-for-vishnupuram-literary-award/article66234074.ece | title=Charu Nivedita chosen for Vishnupuram literary award | newspaper=The Hindu | date=7 December 2022 }}</ref> a literary award instituted by Vishnupuram Ilakkiya Vattam.<br />
* ''Conversations With Aurangzeb'' won the [[Crossword Book Award|Crossword]] Award in 2024.<br />
<br />
==Literary contemporaries on Charu Nivedita==<br />
*[[Vahni Capildeo]] places Charu Nivedita on par with [[Vladimir Nabokov]], [[James Joyce]] and [[Jean Genet]], in her article in the [[Caribbean Review of Books]].<ref name="caribbeanreviewofbooks.com">{{cite web |title=CRB • Questions of approach, part 3 • Vahni Capildeo |url=http://caribbeanreviewofbooks.com/crb-archive/21-may-2010/questions-of-approach-3/ |access-date=7 October 2017 |website=caribbeanreviewofbooks.com}}</ref><br />
*In his foreword to the [[Malayalam]] translation of ''Zero Degree'', [[Paul Zacharia]] wrote, "It is like an open experimental laboratory. Amidst the smoke, noxious vapors, and beautiful imagery, I experienced a wondrous journey."<ref name="zacharia">{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-11-18/news/27588632_1_novel-tamil-language-dravidian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906053216/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-11-18/news/27588632_1_novel-tamil-language-dravidian|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 September 2012|title=My novel was treated like a song of freedom: Charunivedita|work=The Economic Times|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
*[[Tarun Tejpal]] wrote that ''Zero Degree'' is remarkable for its experimental voice and its varying and shifting tonalities.<ref name="tejpal">{{cite web|url=http://www.fondation-janmichalski.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Synthese_Charu-Nivedita_engl.pdf|title=JAN MICHALSKI PRIZE FOR LITERATURE<br />
|publisher=Fondation-janmichalski.com|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref> <br />
*[[Anil Menon]] considers ''Zero Degree'' bold and ambitious.<ref name="menon">{{cite web|url=http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2009/11/exclusive_interview_anil_menon/|title=EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Anil Menon|work=SF Signal|date=10 November 2009 |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
*Translator Jason Grunebaum considers ''Zero Degree'' "wildly exciting".<ref name="grunebaum">{{cite web|url=http://quarterlyconversation.com/the-jason-grunebaum-interview|title=The Jason Grunebaum Interview|work=Quarterly Conversation|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Public events==<br />
===Literary festivals===<br />
* Charu Nivedita was one of the invitees for the 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iicdelhi.nic.in/ContentAttachments/Publications/DiaryFiles/585612October172011_Annual%20Report%202011.pdf|title=Indian International Centre : Annual report 2010-2011|publisher=Iicdelhi.nic.in|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref> and 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=http://delhiexpatclub.com/profiles/blogs/events-in-the-city-march-7-to|title=EVENTS IN THE CITY, MARCH 7 TO MARCH 14|publisher=Delhiexpatclub.com|access-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104225423/http://delhiexpatclub.com/profiles/blogs/events-in-the-city-march-7-to|archive-date=4 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> editions of ''Almost Island Dialogues'', [[New Delhi]].<br />
* He was one of the invitees for the [[Hay Festival]] 2010, [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/schedule-for-hay-festival-in-kerala-november-12-to-november-14/article878929.ece|title=Schedule for Hay Festival in Kerala (November 12 to November 14)|work=The Hindu|date=10 November 2010 |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yentha.com/news/view/4/Hay-Session-A-Song-of-Celebration-A-Song-of-Freedom|title=Hay Session: 'A Song of Celebration, A Song of Freedom' - Trivandrum News - Yentha.com|publisher=Yentha.com|access-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104142534/http://www.yentha.com/news/view/4/Hay-Session-A-Song-of-Celebration-A-Song-of-Freedom|archive-date=4 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
* [[Hay Festival]] 2011, [[Thiruvananthapuram]] was inaugurated at the British Deputy High Commission, [[Chennai]] by Mike Nithavrianakis, the then Deputy High Commissioner, followed by a reading of an excerpt from Charu Nivedita's works.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article243978.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221154930/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article243978.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 December 2014|title=Run-up to Hay Festival on in full swing in city|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
* He was one of the invitees for the 2012 edition of [[Jaipur Literary Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/archive/index/program-2011/21-jan-2012-program/|title=21 Jan: Day 2 - Jaipur Literature Festival 2012|publisher=Jaipurliteraturefestival.org|access-date=20 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130164432/http://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/archive/index/program-2011/21-jan-2012-program/|archive-date=30 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/archive/index/program-2011/22-jan-2012-program/|title=22 Jan: Day 3 - Jaipur Literature Festival 2012|publisher=Jaipurliteraturefestival.org|access-date=20 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130165030/http://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/archive/index/program-2011/22-jan-2012-program/|archive-date=30 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article334555.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221160617/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article334555.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 December 2014|title=I'm a fan of William Dalrymple: Charu Nivedita|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
* He was felicitated at the Twenty Sixth Anniversary Celebration of Katha, a monthly literary magazine of [[Sambad]] (an [[Odia language|Odia]] daily) at [[Bhubaneswar]] on 10 February 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soumyapatnaik.in/one_news.php?id=160|title=Welcome to my web address|publisher=Soumyapatnaik.in|access-date=20 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106032525/http://www.soumyapatnaik.in/one_news.php?id=160|archive-date=6 November 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><br />
*He was one of the invitees for the Brahmaputra Literary Festival 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brahmaputraliteraryfestival.com/authors/charu-nivedita/|title=Charu Nivedita – Brahmaputra Literary Festival|website=brahmaputraliteraryfestival.com|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008030627/http://brahmaputraliteraryfestival.com/authors/charu-nivedita/|archive-date=8 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merinews.com/article/brahmaputra-lit-fest-starts-today/15922601.shtml|title=Brahmaputra lit-fest starts today|website=www.merinews.com|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref><br />
*He was one of the panelists in Kerala Literature Festival 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralaliteraturefestival.com/program-2017/ |title=Programs &#124; KLF 2017 |access-date=27 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127211648/http://www.keralaliteraturefestival.com/program-2017/ |archive-date=27 January 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keralaliteraturefestival.com/speaker/charu-nivedita/|title=KLF 2017 » CHARU NIVEDITA|website=www.keralaliteraturefestival.com|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008030447/http://www.keralaliteraturefestival.com/speaker/charu-nivedita/|archive-date=8 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
*He was one of the speakers the Manipal International Literature and Arts Platform 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://themanipaljournal.com/2018/09/07/tamil-threats-and-transgression-charu-nivedita-on-symbols-of-diversity-in-writing/|title=Tamil, Threats and Transgression: Charu Nivedita on 'Symbols of Diversity in Writing'|date=7 September 2018|website=The Manipal Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/lively-talks-on-day-2-of-manipal-lit-fest/article24898470.ece|title=Lively talks on day 2 of Manipal lit fest|newspaper=The Hindu |date=8 September 2018|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><br />
<br />
===Film festivals===<br />
*Charu Nivedita was invited as the Guest of Honour on 10 March 2002 at the National Folklore Support Centre Folk Festival, [[Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianfolklore.org/journals/index.php/IFL/article/viewFile/644/790|title=Embroidery: The Universal Thread|publisher=Indianfolklore.org|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
*He inaugurated the Third SIO Samvedana Vedhi International Film Festival, 2010, organised by the [[Students Islamic Organisation of India]] wing of the [[University of Calicut]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://siokerala.org/filmfest/inaguration-by-charu-nivedita/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20100804050459/http://siokerala.org/filmfest/inaguration-by-charu-nivedita/|title={{as written|Inagu|ration [sic]}} by Charu nivedita - Examined Life - International Film Festival|archive-date=4 August 2010|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
*He inaugurated the International Film Festival of Tamil Nadu 2010, Chennai, organised by the International Tamil Film Academy and Seventh Channel Communications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/oct-10-05/mysskin-charu-nivedita-30-10-10.html|title=Mysskin goes candid - Mysskin - Charu Nivedita - Anjathey - Chithiram Pesithadi - Tamil Movie News|publisher=Behindwoods.com|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
*He inaugurated the Fourth Panchajanyam International Film Festival 2011 at [[Chittur]], Kerala.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/film-fete-to-begin-tomorrow/article1104457.ece|title=Film fete to begin tomorrow|work=The Hindu|date=19 January 2011 |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
* He inaugurated the valedictory session of the Third International Film Festival 2011, [[Kochi]], which was jointly organised by the [[Kerala State Chalachitra Academy]], Heart Light Association and the [[Ernakulam]] District Information Office.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/film-festival-concludes/article1593571.ece|title=Film festival concludes|author=|work=The Hindu|date=April 2011 |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
* At the 2013 Chennai Rainbow Film Festival (LGBT Film Festival), presented by [[Alliance Française de Madras]], he participated in the 'Panel Discussion on Media Portrayal of LGBT issues.'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Rainbow-fest-ends-on-a-colourful-note/2013/06/10/article1627573.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221154921/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Rainbow-fest-ends-on-a-colourful-note/2013/06/10/article1627573.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 December 2014|title=Rainbow fest ends on a colourful note|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaysifamily.com/2013/05/31/chennai-rainbow-film-festival-press-release/|title=Chennai Rainbow Film Festival (Press Release)|work=Gaysi|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
<br />
===Lectures and meets===<br />
* Charu Nivedita delivered the 2009 [[Paul Chirakkarode]] Memorial Lecture at [[Kottayam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/greenyouth/ULtg-mM-Pmw/rdnY8dBX-ygJ|title=Google Groups|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
* He was invited to speak at the valedictory function of ‘Thattakaperuma,' a series of programmes to observe the second death anniversary of [[Kovilan]], Malayalam writer at [[Thrissur]] on 3 June 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/quality-of-literature-down-charu-nivedita/article3488460.ece|title=Quality of literature down: Charu Nivedita|work=The Hindu|date=3 June 2012 |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
*He delivered the commemoration speech at the '[[Bob Marley]] Cultural Fest' on 11 May 2010 at [[Kochi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://socialistplatform.blogspot.in/2010/05/bob-marley-cultural-fest-2010.html|title=Socialistplatform|date=May 2010 |publisher=Socialistplatform.blogspot.in|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/brights-india/mY9vPaD9iT8|title=Google Groups|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
*He was one of the panelists at the [[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] Speak Out debate 2010, Chennai on the subject 'Moral Policing in a Democracy'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article289140.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222165003/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article289140.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 December 2014|title='Moral policing' at the fore of debate|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
<br />
===Social activism===<br />
<gallery><br />
Charu_speaks_among_Velichikala_adivasis,_May_12,_2008.jpg|Charu Nivedita at Velichikala - Anti-clay mining protest, May 12, 2008<br />
Velichikka_-_charu_2.jpg|Charu Nivedita at Velichikala<br />
Charu_@_athirappilly_hunger_strike_77th_day_hnuger_strike.jpg |Charu Nivedita at Plachimada Anti-Coca-Cola Relay Hunger Strike, 77th day, May 13, 2008<br />
</gallery><br />
*He was invited as the chief guest of Sambavas' annual celebrations (a [[Dalit]] caste) at [[Chalakudy]] in Kerala on 11 May 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charuonline.com/may2008/amazon.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224125435/http://www.charuonline.com/may2008/amazon.html|title=:: CHARUNIVEDITA ::|archive-date=24 December 2008|publisher=Charuonline.com|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
*He inaugurated a meeting and spoke among the adivasis protesting against wanton clay mining at Velichikala, near [[Kollam]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/claymining-convention-to-mark-third-anniversary-of-stir/article1256391.ece|title=Clay-mining: convention to mark third anniversary of stir|work=The Hindu|date=11 May 2008 |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
*He addressed a gathering of Plachimada villagers who were on a relay hunger strike against [[Coca-Cola]]'s wanton over-drawing of groundwater and polluting water bodies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charuonline.com/may2008/aathira.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224125055/http://www.charuonline.com/may2008/aathira.html|title=:: CHARUNIVEDITA ::|archive-date=24 December 2008|publisher=Charuonline.com|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
*He marched with villagers protesting against [[Coca-Cola]] and [[Pepsi]]'s wanton overdrawing of groundwater at [[Kanjikode]], near [[Palakkad]] on 29 August 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charuonline.com/aug08/mathru.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219224833/http://www.charuonline.com/aug08/mathru.html|title=കുടിവെള്ളം ചോര്ത്തുന്ന കോളക്കമ്പനികളെ ജനകീയ ശക്തികൊണ്ട് നേരിടണം -ചാരുനിവേദിത|archive-date=19 December 2008|publisher=Charuonline.com|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
*He inaugurated a symposium on Mullaiperiyar Dam issue organized by 'Uyiru', a joint cultural forum of Tamil and Malayalam writers and social activists on 7 July 2012 at [[Kottayam]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/discussion-on-mullaperiyar-dam-to-be-held-in-kottayam/article3598894.ece|title=Discussion on Mullaperiyar dam to be held in Kottayam|author=|work=The Hindu|date=3 July 2012 |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
<br />
=='Zero Degree' in Academics==<br />
* ''Zero Degree'' was on the curriculum in Spring 2010 in a Comparative World Literature course, taught by Jordan Smith, at [[California State University, Long Beach]] (CSULB).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uglywords.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/on-charu-niveditas-zero-degree-trans-by-pritham-k-chakravarthy-rakesh-khanna/#comment-179|title=On Charu Nivedita's 'Zero Degree' (Trans. by Pritham K. Chakravarthy & Rakesh Khanna) - In a Brown Study|work=In a Brown Study|date=2 March 2012 |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
* [[University of Rochester]] has included ''Zero Degree'' in its translation program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rochester.edu/College/translation/threepercent/index.php?id=1412|title=Three Percent: Blaft Publications and Zero Degree|publisher=Rochester.edu|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rochester.edu/College/translation/threepercent/index.php?id=1911|title=Three Percent: Interview with Rakesh Kumar of Blaft|publisher=Rochester.edu|access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref><br />
* The [[Malayalam]] translation of ''Zero Degree'' is in the curriculum for postgraduate students at the [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala|Mahatma Gandhi University]], [[Kottayam]].<br />
* An [[IIT Guwahati]] research article terms [[Zero Degree]] a metamodern novel.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.drishtithesight.com/volume-viii/is-charu-niveditas-zero-degree-an-exercise-in-metamodernism | title=Is Charu Nivedita's Zero Degree an exercise in Metamodernism? – Drishti }}</ref><br />
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==Quotations==<br />
* "I convert my schizoid (state) into an art."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://f.vimeocdn.com/p/flash/moogaloop/6.0.21/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=35429929&color=&fullscreen=1&server=vimeo.com&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&show_title=0&controller=player2&view=moogaloop_swf&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fjaipurliteraturefestival.org%2Farchive%2Findex%2Fprogram-2011%2F21-jan-2012-program%2F&cdn_url=http%3A%2F%2Ff.vimeocdn.com&player_url=player.vimeo.com&moogaloop_type=moogaloop|title=Video recording|publisher=F.vimeocdn.com|access-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104132332/http://f.vimeocdn.com/p/flash/moogaloop/6.0.21/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=35429929&color=&fullscreen=1&server=vimeo.com&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&show_title=0&controller=player2&view=moogaloop_swf&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fjaipurliteraturefestival.org%2Farchive%2Findex%2Fprogram-2011%2F21-jan-2012-program%2F&cdn_url=http%3A%2F%2Ff.vimeocdn.com&player_url=player.vimeo.com&moogaloop_type=moogaloop|archive-date=4 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
* "There is nothing like planning in my literature, at any point of time. It's something which gets written between the schizoid state and dreams. Hence, with this same reason, I cannot comment on my writing. Like how I don't accept the roles of a father, a son, a lover, a friend – I despise the role of a writer too. My writing is nothing but the brush strokes of a person trying to escape from hell."<br />
*"Hatred is a disease."<br />
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==See also==<br />
* [[List of Indian writers]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150823223527/http://www.blaft.com/cp/book_pages/6.pdf An excerpt from Zero Degree]<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141105231832/http://www.tehelka.com/morgue-keeper/ Morgue Keeper Short Story]<br />
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{{Portal bar|Biography|India|Literature}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nivedita, Charu}}<br />
[[Category:1953 births]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Tamil-language writers]]<br />
[[Category:Writers from Chennai]]<br />
[[Category:Indian postmodern writers]]<br />
[[Category:Metafiction]]<br />
[[Category:Surrealist dramatists and playwrights]]<br />
[[Category:Indian surrealist writers]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]<br />
[[Category:Dramatists and playwrights from Tamil Nadu]]<br />
[[Category:Novelists from Tamil Nadu]]<br />
[[Category:People from Nagapattinam district]]</div>HungHay8926976