210 கலைமணி பாஸ்கரத் தொண்டைமான்
was recommended for promotion readily consented, and this is how he expressed his approval : “Yes, I know him. he is a poet.”
A jealous colleague once remarked to an officer : “Sir, he finds time for lecturing and writing for papers, but not for office work” On one occasion when Tondaiman approached a British boss for mission to broadcast a talk, he was warmly congratulated. When the offier enquired about the time of the speech would be on the air he was politely informed that the talk would be in Tamil. “Doesn't matter, I will listen to your voice,” said the superior, encouragingly,
An enterprising man, Tondaiman never allowed his talents to be smothered by the routing work he had to handle as a clerk. Even while serving, he took up his M.A. in Tamil. He has been a regular contributor to annual numbers of various literary magazines. His recent series of articles in Kalki were hightly popular. He is also the author of serveral books.
DIAMOND MERCHANT
The other two colleagues of Tondaiman, on this tour are Mr. Giridhari Prasad and Mr. K. R. Radhakrishnan. Mr. Prasad is a building contractor who is also a literary man. Originally from North India, the Prasad family has settled in Coimbatore for the last two generations. “My knowledge of Hindi will come handy on this journey” he said.
Mr. Radhakrishnan is a jeweller and diamond merchant. He is the one who drives the car. “I am not carrying any diamonds,” he smiled.
During their stay in Bombay, Tondaiman addressed a meeting of the Bombay Tamil Sangam where he whowed 50 photographs of South Indian sculpture,
- Sunday Standard
