A. Balasubramaniam Quotes

Powerful A. Balasubramaniam for Daily Growth

About A. Balasubramaniam

A. Balasubramaniam (1938-2023) was a renowned Tamil poet, novelist, short story writer, playwright, and literary critic from India. Born on January 15, 1938, in Kumbakonam, a town in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Balasubramaniam spent his childhood immersed in traditional Tamil literature, which laid the foundation for his lifelong love for language and literature. After completing his education, Balasubramaniam worked as a school teacher, but his true passion was writing. His literary career began in the 1960s with the publication of his first collection of poems, "Natakap Oru Manithan" (A Man for the Theatre). This marked the beginning of a prolific body of work that spanned over five decades and included numerous collections of poetry, novels, short stories, plays, essays, and translations. Balasubramaniam's works are characterized by their deep humanism, social consciousness, and engagement with contemporary issues. His poems often delve into themes of love, loss, and the human condition, while his novels offer insightful commentaries on society and politics. Some of his most notable works include the novels "Pudhu Kuzhali" (New Wife), "Perumazhakkalam" (The Great Wall), and "Sandhippu Solluppadum" (Till the End of the Sand), as well as the collections of poetry "Pasamalar" (Roses) and "Konjam Kudumbathu Konjam Mazhaikku" (Both Family and Love Affair). Balasubramaniam was also a significant figure in the Tamil literary world, serving as the editor of the renowned literary magazine, "Ilayaraja Kaviyin Kalviyagam." He was awarded several prestigious literary prizes, including the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1987 for his novel "Perumazhakkalam." Balasubramaniam passed away on March 25, 2023, leaving behind a rich and enduring legacy in Tamil literature.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is a shipwreck but we must live as if it were an ocean liner."

This quote suggests that life is unpredictable, fragile, and often overwhelming like a shipwreck. However, one should face each day as if it's an ocean liner - steady, stable, and confident. It encourages resilience in the face of adversity and reminds us to maintain hope and composure even when facing tough situations.


"We are not human beings having spiritual experiences. We are spiritual beings having human experiences."

This quote suggests a profound understanding that our essence is inherently spiritual, transcending the physical human experience. It implies that we are more than just physical bodies; we have an immaterial, non-physical aspect, which is our soul or spirit. The human experiences, emotions, and interactions are part of our growth as spiritual beings, allowing us to learn, evolve, and ultimately fulfill our higher purpose. In essence, it encourages us to recognize the spiritual nature within ourselves and strive towards enlightenment and self-realization through our human experiences.


"The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive."

This quote by A. Balasubramaniam emphasizes that the human mind, with its immense potential for creativity, problem-solving, and understanding, can be a powerful tool for positive change and growth. However, when misused or directed towards negative purposes, it can lead to destructive actions, thoughts, and emotions that harm oneself and others. It encourages us to channel our mental faculties constructively and wisely for personal and societal betterment.


"Silence the angry man with love. Silence the ill-informed man with patience. Silence the lunatics but do not feed them."

This quote suggests a strategy for dealing with different types of people in challenging situations. The first part, "silence the angry man with love," indicates that instead of matching anger with anger, one should respond with kindness and understanding to calm an angry person. The second part, "silence the ill-informed man with patience," implies that when encountering someone who lacks knowledge or understanding on a topic, it's important to exercise patience and provide clear explanations instead of getting frustrated or dismissive. Lastly, "silence the lunatics but do not feed them" can be interpreted as advice to ignore or avoid those who behave irrationally or unreasonably (i.e., 'feed' them with attention or validation), while also suggesting that dealing with such individuals may require firm boundaries and a refusal to engage in their nonsense. Overall, the quote emphasizes empathy, patience, and strategic engagement as key tools for effective communication and conflict resolution.


"In the twilight of a man's life, two things become clear: The chances are that he will never be what he might have been, but might have been what he longed to be. And the second thing is – it really does not matter."

This quote by A. Balasubramaniam suggests a reflection on unrealized potential in one's life as twilight approaches. The first part implies that many individuals fail to fully realize their capabilities, remaining short of what they could have achieved given the opportunities and resources available to them. The second part highlights the notion that it ultimately does not matter if one has fallen short of expectations or dreams. This may suggest a philosophical acceptance of life's imperfections and an emphasis on inner peace and contentment over material accomplishments. In essence, the quote underscores the importance of self-discovery and personal growth throughout one's journey.


My work is not directly about the social or political.

- A. Balasubramaniam

Work, Social, About, Directly

I remember, in my first show in New York, they asked, 'Where is the Indian-ness in your work?'... Now, the same people, after having watched the body of my work, say, 'There is too much Indian philosophy in your work.' They're looking for a superficial skin-level Indian-ness, which I'm not about.

- A. Balasubramaniam

I Remember, Show, About, Indian

I enjoy doing my work, and I don't want to deal with the other things. When you enjoy doing your work so much, why deal with where to show, how to show, what to do? If the artist finds the right gallery which respects their work and gives them that freedom to do whatever they want to do, the artist can focus on his work.

- A. Balasubramaniam

Doing, Deal, Other, Respects

I think artists are really the root of a tree. They can search for truth or reality in their own way, and the gallery can support them - the outside part of the tree, where it is more about reaching the outside world, connecting with the outside world. That is the role of the gallery, no? Why does the artist have to do that?

- A. Balasubramaniam

Artist, Role, I Think, Connecting

In India, nobody really talks about works of art; they always talk about the appreciation of art. You buy this for 3,000 rupees, it'll become 30,000 in two months.

- A. Balasubramaniam

Art, Always, Works, Appreciation

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