The intriguing initials which delighted a generation of sober and serious readers of "The Hindu' from about the mid 1920's to 1930's. The initials belonged to Shri S.V. Vijayaraghavachariar, an advocate from Thiruvanna malai. His prolific writing in "The Hindu" and "Ananda Vikatan" on the everyday events of life with a humorous perspective have delighted gene ration of readers. Of S.V.V., the English essayist who made his bow regularly in 'The Hindu' an English civilian of the time Hilton Brown said in the course of an address before the East India Association.
"There is a man in Madras called S.V. Vijayaraghava chariar who is writing the most delicious stuff light as a feather, satirically humorous, not untender, most intimately revealing the Hindu life; splendid, spiteful stuff which can bear direct comparison of mutatis mutandis with the work of our own E.M. Delafield."
These collections are to be read, reread, treasured and read again and again. You can be sure to be delighted every time you read them.
These bubbles were blown from time to time in a sportive mood. I have gathered them in this book at the request of many kind friends of mine who would want them to be given in the nature of bubbles to be. "An Elephant's Creed in Court" and "An Experience and a Prescription" already appeared in "Everyman's Review", and rest of the sketches in "The Hindu". My thanks are due to the respective Editors for the kind permission to reprint them in this book. I must respectfully express my gratefulness to the Honourable Mr. Justice V.V. Srinivasa Iyengar, a patron of art and literature in this part of India. He, it was who first put the Soap water and the hallow read into my hands, encouraged me to blow, and good naturedly smiled at the bubbles as they flew past. His generous appreciation tickled my vanity, and put me on to further efforts. I am obliged to him for helping me to entrench myself behind his protecting care. My feelings lose restraint when I think of the tender and affectionate encouragement given to me by my esteemed friend T.M. Krishnaswamy Aiyar B.A., B.L., Chief Judge, Travancore High Court. In fact, the first bubble in this book was blown under his hospitable roof. Possessed, as he is, of a generous and loving heart, everyday made more generous and loving to his fellow creatures, by his Lord Murugan, I have particularly tasted of its sweetness. He is a humourist, revealing better at close quarters; and no humour ever evoked his appreciation where human foibles have not received a tender touch. "Do you know Lord Krishna and Murugan are the first of humourists?" he would say "And their love for their children is unbounded." My aim in this book is only to amuse; and I hope I have not made myself the fabled donkey, who, in a fit of mad jealousy, burst into song, to win his master's preferential affection. The fable says he got a good 'Hiding' for his ambition, but I dare say the donkey, nevertheless, entertained strong notions against his master's musical discernment. If my readers fail to amuse themselves, I threaten them with entertaining the donkey's opinion, and also warn them that I escape the 'hiding' because I sing behind the screens. I shall enjoy great fun at the infuriated reader, running with a stick in search of S.V.V. and perhaps catching a wrong man, and giving him the cudgel, while the wrong man keeps shrieking like 'Cinna the poet'. But, if you will be amused, "Hurra for you! Come on, let's have a hearty laugh and a good digestion."
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