Kalki Krishnamurthy Quotes

Ramaswamy Krishnamurthy , better known by his pen name Kalki, was an Indian writer, journalist, poet, critic and Indian independence activist. He was named after "Kalki", the tenth and last avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu. His writings include over 120 short stories, 10 novellas, 5 novels, 3 historical romances, editorial and political writings and hundreds of film and music reviews. Wikipedia  

✵ 9. September 1899 – 5. December 1954
Kalki Krishnamurthy photo
Kalki Krishnamurthy: 7 quotes1 like

Famous Kalki Krishnamurthy Quotes

“Those who don’t actually witness such a happening can say, “No train will run off the rails, it is unnatural for it to do so”.”

Kalki Krishnamurthy

Sivakozhundu of Tiruvazhundur (1939)
Context: It is natural for a train to run on its tracks. We get into a train because we believe that it will do that. But once in a while the train runs off the rails, and there’s an accident. Those who don’t actually witness such a happening can say, “No train will run off the rails, it is unnatural for it to do so”.

“It is natural for a train to run on its tracks.”

Kalki Krishnamurthy

Sivakozhundu of Tiruvazhundur (1939)
Context: It is natural for a train to run on its tracks. We get into a train because we believe that it will do that. But once in a while the train runs off the rails, and there’s an accident. Those who don’t actually witness such a happening can say, “No train will run off the rails, it is unnatural for it to do so”.

“The thunderstorm is a constant phenomenon, raging alternately over some part of the world or the other. Can a single man or creature escape death if all that charge of lightning strikes the earth?”

Kalki Krishnamurthy

Sivakozhundu of Tiruvazhundur (1939)
Context: Listen, You can hear the thunder. Ten cracks in the last five minutes. The thunderstorm is a constant phenomenon, raging alternately over some part of the world or the other. Can a single man or creature escape death if all that charge of lightning strikes the earth? No. And therefore it is natural for thunder to crash, and only in the skies. But once in a long while lightning does strike the earth. Then, instead of killing its victim outright, it snatches his eyes away. Swami, would you say this is a natural phenomenon, or that it is against nature?

“There are many evils in this country. The only remedy for every one of them is freedom for the nation.”

Kalki Krishnamurthy

"The Poison Cure", as translated by Gowri Ramnarayan in Kalki : Selected Stories (1999)

“You should be glad that the government has provided for chain and bangles at their own expense, why are you feeling so bad about it?”

Kalki Krishnamurthy

Comment made to his mother and aunt while he was shackled in jail for his political activities, as quoted in "Anandi Speaks On Kalki's Works" at chennaibest.com http://www.chennaibest.com/cityresources/books_and_hobbies/anandhi.asp

“Even after killing ninety nine tigers the Maharaja should beware of the hundredth.”

Kalki Krishnamurthy

"The Tiger King" as translated by Gowri Ramnarayan in Kalki : Selected Stories (1999)

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