Personal Profile (as on 19.04.2026)

Personal Profile (as on 19.04.2026)

Name: Varadharajan A.

Pen Name: Junior Tej

Blood Group: O +ve

Date of Birth: 04.06.1962

Family: Wife – Vathsala; Son – Raajesh; Daughter-in-law – Akshaya; Granddaughter – Nilaa.

Profession: Retired Assistant Headmaster.

Current Role: Writer, Mental Health Counselor.

Education: MA (English), M.Sc. (Counselling Psychology), B.Ed., CLIS.

First Joke Published: *Junior Vikatan* (1980s; exact date not recorded).

First Short Story Published: "Sitrannai" – *Kungumam*, 24.03.1995.

Awards:

1999 *Kalki* Short Story Competition – "Bhoomi Izhanthidel" (Consolation Prize)

2000 *Dinamani Kathir* Short Story Competition – "Katrathu Ozhugu" (Consolation Prize)

2002 *Panmalar* (Little Magazine) Short Story Competition – "Thanmai Izhavel" (First Prize)

2023 Gaura Literary Forum Short Story Competition – "Thalaimuraigal" (Third Prize)

2023 Short Story Competition jointly organized by Mambalam Chandrasekar Literary Centre and the monthly magazine – "Amma Veedu" (Special Prize)

2023 Nannangudi Trust Short Story Competition – "Ilam Vignani" (Special Prize)

2023 Tamil Pallavi Short Story Competition – "Thozhar" (Special Prize)

2024 *Dinakaran* Women's Supplement Competition – "Meenda Sorgam" (Valentine's Day Special Short Story; Prize: ₹5,000) 2024 Annai Gurubakkiyam Memorial Short Story Competition (Prize: One Million Rupees) (Special Prize)

2025 Annai Gurubakkiyam Memorial Short Story Competition (Open Category) (First Prize: ₹10,000)

Literary Criticism:

2023 Literary Criticism Competition organized by the Sri Lanka Guru Aravindhan Readers' Circle (Second Prize).

2025 Literary Criticism Competition organized by the Sri Lanka Guru Aravindhan Readers' Circle (Fourth Prize).

Mega Novel:

The social novel *Kaliyan Madhavu*, which received an enthusiastic reception from countless readers, was serialized in 28 chapters on the Vikatan website.

The social novel *Kaliyan Madhavu* has been published by the world-renowned Pusthaka organization in two formats: an 820-page e-book (illustrated) and a 416-page paperback edition (unillustrated).

In 2024, the novel *Kaliyan Madhavu* won the second prize in the global book competition organized by the Bharathi Ilakkiya Peravai, Cumbum (Theni District). 

Books published by Pusthaka:

1. ‘Junior Tej Page’ – 1 (Short story collection)

2. ‘Junior Tej Page’ – 2 (Short story collection)

3. ‘Junior Tej Page’ – 3 (Short story collection)

4. ‘Junior Tej Page’ – 4 (Short story collection)

5. ‘Junior Tej Page’ – 5 – Gunaseelathu Kathaigal (Short story collection)

6. Tej Sirukathaigal (Short story collection)

7. Meenda Sorgam (Short story collection)

8. Koondukkili (Short story collection)

9. Kaliyan Madhavu (Social novel)

10. En Uyire Mayuri (Novel)

11. Kadhal Nivantham (Novel)

12. Janani…! Jeyam Nee…!! (Novel)

Mission:

To write unique novels and short stories that foster social awareness.

Meeting with the ‘Popular Writer’ (Ezhuthu Siddhar) Balakumaran (as my Guru):

This is a treasure he wrote for me when I went to seek the blessings of the ‘Sage of Writing’ with my first work, the short story ‘Chitrannai’. The memory of that day—when he blessed me saying, “Varadharaja...! You have a real knack for writing short stories. Write a lot...!”—still echoes in my ears as clearly as if it were today.

Email: varadhushakespeare@gmail.com

Blog: https://juniortej.blogspot.com