War Journey: Diary of a Tamil Tiger

by Malaravan

Bittersweet, fresh and lyrical at times, War Journey is a testament to the Tamil longing for a homeland and the wider conflict that once engulfed the island.

The child you threatened once, the young shoot you stepped on, the Tamil you teased, is standing with a gun in front of you.

This short diary was recovered from Malaravan's kit after he was killed in action in 1992, when barely twenty. In it, he recounts his units journey to Maankulam, the islands granary, to fight a critical battle where they routed the Lankan military. The LTTEs planning and tactics, the fervour and camaraderie of the young Tigers, and the actual combat are minutely chronicled. As a foil to the violence, Malaravan brings out the beauty of the Tamil forest and countryside and the humanity and support of the common people for them, despite their suffering under army rule.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Harish Muralidhar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a rebel writes, it's his heart that talks. This is the account of a battle in which the narrator was a part of. It not only gives the reader a view of what happened on field but what prompts a human to turn into a rebel. When a society is subject to oppression, its members turn into a force whose only aim is equality, so much so that all other forms that differentiate humans socially cease to exist. There were many like Malaravan who probably had a tale to tell but life and resources came in their way. If one were to read about a rebel, this is something that would fall off my tongue instantly. To shun a luxurious bed and all the wealth to help others get some of it is what perhaps makes a person a human, such was the story of this 20 year old who parted with his life for his people soon after winning his last battle in 1992. Sitting under a fan and a light in a cosy chair thinking of the choices for dinner, i could only curse myself for giving this book a mere 5 on 5.

[Anittha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing. It describes the battlefront, and the emotional and mental capacity of a Tamil Tiger. It was breathtaking to read and very emotional. This is such an important read for those who don’t understand the purpose of the LTTE!

[Deepika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a fly on the wall. My blog on the book is here: https://worncorners.com/2017/08/27/wa...

[Aditya Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The journey of a Tamil soldier fighting for his homeland.Not sleeping for days,managing a war with a limited resource and the battle that snatched his close friends. A boy from a very rich family comes to battle ground to protect Tamil land.What he faces, how he fights the battle? Whats he thinks about the Srilankan and Indian army, the book describes all the fact. A war that the outside world can never see can be witnessed in this book.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably enjoyed the context and possibilities rather than the actual story, but well worth a read.

[Jordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book sure packs a punch, I havent read something so moving in memory. It's short, succinct and stupendous. Couldnt recommend it enough.

[Gowrypalan Ganenthira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently 30 years old sat on a lovely beach in Thailand reading the diary of the maveerar malaravan a 20 year old war diary of the attack on maamkulam camp in 1990's.

I am deeply saddened reading this book and feel every tamil in privileged positions of safety, food, education and free should need read this. At such a young age he was forced to grow up and decided to face the destruction of tamil people and it's land head on. Whilst many like my family fled seeking safety and formed part of the tamil eelam diaspora who sought to influence change from abroad, Malaravan with no concerns of his own safety or brilliant potential chose to remain and take up arms against the Singhalese oppressors.

What particularly saddened me was reading about his amazing characteristics and his limitless potential. He is described as kind, caring, highly intelligent, charismatic, disciplined leader loved by all including animals. With his main interests lying in reading and writing his own award winning progressive novels and poems.
This book itself is his diary that has been translated and is a piece of work that has survived, whilst countless others have been sadly lost. The point is, he could have been anyone and anything he wanted to be. However, being born at the wrong place at the wrong time has stopped that. Or you could argue that a great Hero has been born with the purpose to lead and Influence positively those he interacted with. Now his legacy will live on forever in the countless others like me who are reading his inspirational work.

The person who translated his work puts it very nicely. That us reading it with today's eyes will never truly understand the unique societial challenges and the impact of genocide. Witnessing your loved ones being raped, brutally murdered and your beloved homeland being burned and desecrated before your eyes. Shortages of food and basic needs and a constant fear of life.

"Pooralis are created when the oppressors tactics become too brutal"

Which is why I am not in a position to criticise child soldiers or Black Tigers or anything really. My family in that region explained that orphaned children by the brutality of the war would be put to school and educated by the tigers. But at the end of the day if you witness the destruction of your parents and your home, even as a child, what would you do?

Similarly being a Black Tiger is the most loving and fearless thing that I cannot even imagine. Their love for their homeland and for the preservation of Tamils future generations is beyond words that they give up their everything.
I am not arguing for or against the above, I am simply saying we can never understand. So when reading this book, try to put yourself in the shoes of those who chose to remain in Sri Lanka and fight on the front lines.

As Malaravan Anna puts it beautifully
"The enemy is stronger than us in numbers and weaponry. Our strength is in our determination, belief in our goal, and our love for the land and our people."

As the translator aptly puts it, she never imagined the society that created malaravan to be destroyed, although things have changed, his writing still stands to inform the world about much that continues to be hidden.

Now the present day Tamils and the world needs to know what happened and that the cruelty faced by Tamils in Tamil Eelam even now is not over. Now it is cultural genocide and ongoing oppression. The land that was historically native to Tamils has been destroyed, changed in name and recolonised so that future generations of Tamils especially those abroad like myself will forget. If we do not remember and preserve what we can, over generations and generations the identity of Tamils and the struggles of Tamil Eelam will be forgotten . And now being in my privileged position I must ensure fluency of Tamil my mother tongue for me and my future generations and fluency in of the struggles of Tamil Eelam in order to educate others of the truth of Sri Lanka's history.

[ن · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10.
“Fallen pooralis and their fresh blood, rather than young green paddy, now covered the fields of Maankulam, one of the richest granaries of Tamil Eelam. Even in their final moments, the pooralis enriched the land they loved. These young pooralis who longed to breathe free air and put their footprints on their homeland now dissolved into the breeze over the fields. Their friends who were with them, who were reborn in the same training camps, who laughed and played together, continued to move forward towards the enemy. These brave, fallen heroes, even in death, did not find a human hand to comfort them. They are the saints who gave up the joys of youth for the freedom they so dearly loved.”

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a literal translation of tamil , so expect Tamil words written in English language alot. The book is a like daily journal written by Malaravan. I noticed Malaravan had an eye for beauty in the environment. The way he describes landscapes , animals, birds and the environment around him is very articulate. His writings are poetic. The book doesn't go in depth on the war ,it's only about Malaravan's encounters and a brief history now and then. Book should've been translated better to make reading more easy. Short read but a good book.

[abookishbeast · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been putting off reading this book as I knew it was a heavy and special one. I enjoy Ealam Tamil stories for their simplicity, love for their homeland and people. Every story touched upon the love of the Tamil people for their land and how the settlers are erasing their right to exist. Through the struggles, you also view the everyday lives of the Ealam people, supporting the pooralis and staying true to their cause. Lovely read!

[Arnab Chatterjee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Malaravan's memoir presents the situation that he faces while being in service with LTTE. It brings out the ecology of Sri Lankan islands as a calming habitat as well as a violent existence. The memoir also puts on the common people's humanity toward the LTTE cause in a growing violence from the oppressive army.

[Sunny VK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried at the end. He was a beautiful writer and person. I felt a sense of home when he described the Tamil lands and people and a sense of pride when he detailed the missions they were on. A treasure of a book, an important read for younger Tamil generation. It’s sad to see such young talent martyred.

[Gowtham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hits you at a different level. Though a short read, its a fantastic insight into the lives of "Pooralis"
"He one who kills those who kill to dominate, and thus gives protection to the innocent, is an enlightened soul".

[Saba Sundar · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absorbing story of a young man caught up in the war. Must read for everyone who witnessed the war.

[Navneeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read. Says about the struggles of Pooralis of Tamil eelam.

[Muraleekrishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Udal Mannukku, Uyir Thamizhukku ✨

[Sasha Dalabajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book at Sarasavi Bookshop in Colombo on a work trip and, when I showed it to a Sri Lankan colleague the next day to ask about some words in the local language, I was told I was reading a very dangerous book.

As I draw similarities between the political context of the 1990s Sri Lanka to the Philippines, and how the Tamils like Malaravan have internalized the impacts of the system that is innately skewed to their disfavor, I understood the anger and violence that had brought about the Tamil Tigers

I craved to understand LTTE and the Tamil Tigers and I have yet to fully understand the struggle to which many Malaravans have devoted their lives to serving. I think this memoir scratched that itch, but only barely.

[S'hi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brief story is full of the life of the people of Sri Lanka. Amid the sounds, sights and horrors of war are the daily trials of feeding from depleted conditions while nourishing themselves on the stories of their culture. The briefest of insights into politics and philosophy make this story one well worth the consideration of anyone needing to better understand the simple joys of life, and the richness of relationships beyond the desire for more materiality.

With concluding essays by a fellow poorali (one who fights injustice) and Malaravan’s mother, as well as the introduction by the translator setting the context, a lot is packed into this short tome. One can only wonder what he would have written with more time to do so.

[PeaceAll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, we get to see it from a young man's perspective!

As the description said: "As a foil to the violence, Malaravan brings out the beauty of the Tamil forest and countryside and the humanity and support of the common people for them, despite their suffering under army rule."

Another thought-provoking, lucid book by same author is: A Fleeting Moment in My Country: The Last Years of the Ltte de-Facto State

here's a review of the book:
http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node...

[Nandini Pradeep J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll take one thing with me forever, etched... "என் கல்லறை மேல் தூவுங்கள் "...
அது தூவி தான் ஆகணும் ....

Written in simple prose with the ebbs of poetry, you get to know the person that he was... Born in April... lost to November... born in Spring.. lost to Winter..

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short but well written diary makes for a heart rending read.