‘Close Your Umbrellas' is a compilation of poems, prose and short stories and various works by V.S Arunachalam which transports the reader to an era gone by. Every piece is an interpretation of a philosophically analytical mind, inspiring, educational and thought provoking.

This book is a compilation of V. S. Arunachalam’s work, painstakingly put together by his grandson, guitarist and composer Ravi Iyer. The book is an eye-opener to a reality the author once experienced years ago during the freedom struggle during the period 1916 to 1956.

The author has used simple language to get his message across. If you need words of wisdom, check out ‘Close Your Umbrellas’. Literally it's a treasure trove waiting to be read.

There could be no better memory for a grandson to fulfil the wish of his grandfather by bringing his dream work in print for all to read, for this generation and the generation ahead of us.

Infact that is not all, Ravi Iyer has chosen two of his most favourite poems from the book viz; 'Liberty' and 'Close Your Umbrellas' and has rendered these poems in an art song form. The music has been composed by himself and K.C. Loy, a renowned lyricist and performer who beautifully narrates these poems. These poems are released on all digital platforms including YouTube.

Below are the two links of the poems converted to art songs.

‘Liberty’ by V.S. Arunachalam

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u93ChLpLbk

‘Close Your Umbrellas’ by V.S. Arunachalam

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqjjju5OTis&t=57s

If that’s music to your ears, from the many chapters in the book, we chose ‘The Educative Power Of The Press’ as one of the chapters of the book to showcase the work of V. S. Arunachalam.

The Educative Power Of The Press

The necessity felt in Europe, at the dawn of civilization, for the spread of education among the masses was the mother of the invention of the Press; and the Press did lavishly contribute to the fulfilment of the object for which it was invented, not only in Europe but throughout the world.

In Europe, even in the days when printing was unknown, there were great scholars and thinkers and they laboriously wrote down their thoughts and doctrines, and the kings and nobles obtained copies of their manuscripts paying exorbitant prices. It is said that a Bible cost 100 Pounds. Thus, education was an exclusive possession of the rich and the masses were illiterate and ignorant.

In the East, however, conditions were not so bad. In China and India, knowledge was considered something divine, and spreading it among the people freely, the duty of the learned. In India, the great Gurus taught their pupils orally and the pupils stored those lessons in their unerring memories. The great works that the sages and scholars wrote on palm leaves were read out with commentaries to the people by learned men. Thus, though there was illiteracy, ignorance at least was sought to be eliminated or minimized. Besides, it is said that the art of printing was known in China as early as 57 B.C., and in India about the 13^th century. But this art was not printing by moveable types, and it did not make much headway.

The invention of printing of the moveable types is ascribed to the German, John Gutenberg, and to the Dutchman, Lawrence Coster. In 1475, William Caxton carried the idea to England.

But it was only in 1801, the improved form of printing was perfected by the Earl of Stanhope, and the steam printing was introduced in 1814.

The perfection of the art of printing synchronized with the dawn of modernity and the beginning of internationalism. Printing was started in various countries in their respective languages. Books of various kinds and utility were made easily in large numbers and were sold cheaply. This abundance of books enabled each country to start various schools and colleges with choice curricula. A further improvement in printing was the rendering of photographs on print by what is called half-tone process. This enhanced the educative forming of the press for a reader of a book, while widening his intellect with the subject-matter contained in the book, is also able to see the author through his photograph printed therein and to commune with his spirit through his mind.

The Press attained its maximum educative force when it began the publication of newspapers. Venice was the first state in the world to start publishing Newspapers. Other states and countries soon followed suit. India Gazette was the first newspaper in India. Then the Christian Missionaries of Bengal started a few vernacular papers. Raja Rammohan Roy and Iswar Chandra Gupta then brought out their ‘Kaumudi’ and ‘Pravaker’ respectively. In 1836, Lord Metcalfe gave full liberty to the Press. Later, Lord Ripon repealed the vernacular Press Act passed by Lord Lytion. Thenceforward several newspapers in vernacular were started. At sunrise, the Newspaper comes to our doors tempting us to read the current news and views of the wide world and be rid of ignorance. Nowadays, great writers prefer to give their writings to the Press for publication in newspapers and magazines bit by bit to be made into books later. Thus, newspapers and magazines, for a small cost bring us an assorted lore, such as, news, local and foreign; political views; articles on latest Scientific inventions; philosophical and psychological writings; but not the least, fiction in the form of short-stories and novels.

However, it is necessary to point out here that the plethora of printed matter that the present days include some vulgar writings too. Even the newspapers are often employed for making unrighteous propaganda. These publications are apt to compromise the educative force of the press. Therefore, it will be an advantage if the Schools and Colleges point out to the young minds, they coach up the lurking evils in some of the publications and teach them how to make their choice of books and other publications.

By V.S. Arunachalam (24^th April 1897- 30^th August 1956)

Book: Close Your Umbrellas'

Publisher: The Write Order Publication

Pages: 200 pgs.

Available on: Amazon

By Verus Ferreira