Tharasu

Tharasu is a Tamil language weekly magazine started in 1985,[1] with a focus on politics.

Tharasu was the first of a new type of Tamil language tabloid in the 1980s.[2] It focused on corruption and "political gossip" but also covered local village-level issues. Tharasu was perceived an "anti establishment" voice and also a sensationalistic one. Other tabloids then copied Tharasu's style. Indeed the other tabloids such as Nakeeran began with ex-Tharasu staff.[2][3]

In early years Tharasu took no advertising.[1][2] Instead it used low quality production methods in order to be affordable to villagers.[2] Publishing has been a dangerous undertaking for people involved in this new tabloid genre. Some of this danger came from the police. Staff from all the tabloids operated against a background of police raids and sometimes lethal arrests. (The printer of another tabloid died after being released from custody.) In 1991 two staff from Tharasu were killed by ADMK rowdies in their own office. Tharasu's first editor not only travelled armed but also employed a guard.[1][2][4]

Shyam, alias "Shanumgam",[5] was the founder editor-in-chief of the magazine.[6] Then from 2002 to 2015 the editor of the magazine was Vignesraj (late). He was special correspondent of Kumudam and Tharasu in the late 1980s. The present editor is Ravisanthosh Vignesraj.

References
  1. Jeffrey, Robin (February 9, 1997). "Tamil:'Dominated by Cinema and Politics'". Economic and Political Weekly. 32 (6): 254–256.
  2. N. Sathiya Moorthy (November 25, 1992). "Tamil Nadu's political tabloids". Independent. Mumbai. Retrieved February 22, 2012May also still be in Eenadu Files in Hyderabad
  3. "Man Behind The Scoops". Outlook India. April 24, 1996. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  4. "Summons to 14 accused in 'Tharasu' case". The Hindu. 20 February 2000. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  5. "BJP govt not to complicate Sri Lankan Tamil issue". The Sunday Times. Sri Lanka. March 8, 1998. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  6. "Tamil Magazines". tamilelibrary.org. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
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