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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
'''Thuppariyum Sambu''' is a detective short-story series in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], written by Indian writer [[Devan (writer)|Devan]] in the early 20th century.<ref>[http://www.thrillingdetective.com/eyes/sambu.html Sambu]. Thrilling Detective.</ref> The novel's protagonist is Sambu, a not-very-intelligent bank clerk in middle age, who solves difficult crime puzzles out of serendipity but is quick to explain as well as take credit. Sambu's character is sometimes considered to be a comical version of [[Sherlock Holmes]].

The stories are known for their distinctive humor set around contemporary society and eloquently portray the conditions of the modern city of [[Chennai]] during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s period. Some of the episodes carry subtle references to World War II as well.

==Etymology==

The prefix ''Thuppariyum'' comes from the Tamil ''thuppu'' = clue and ''ari'' = know (''yum'' denotes present participle).

==Sambu and other characters==
Sambu is described by [[Devan (writer)|Devan]] as having a bald fringe, a prominent nose and a weak chin. Along with a generally bewildered stare his appearance invariably invites people to term him ''asadu'' (stupid), an assessment not far from the mark. This becomes an asset for Sambu as criminals often underestimate him. Even though Sambu displays a certain reasoning and cunning, it is Lady Luck who leads him to literally stumble on the truth. A typical Sambu story has him clutch a newly built window railing as he trips over some obstacle, and some stolen diamonds hidden in the cement by a mason come to light. The drama is maintained by Sambu triumphing over people who have previously laughed or ridiculed him, with Sambu often being the last to understand that he has actually solved the crime.

Sambu's stalwart companion in the police force is Inspector Gopalan, who usually brings a case to the detective's attention. Sambu and Gopalan usually have great regard for each other save for occasional irritants in their relations caused by Sambu's thin skin. Sambu eventually marries Vembu, who is clearly smarter than her husband and spares no criticism of her husband's vacuousness. The two eventually have a son called Sundhu who also helps in his father's work in solving crimes.

Sambu's detective career is launched when the Director of the bank where he works fires him for letting a corrupt bank manager escape. Sambu gets sweet revenge when the same Director eventually summons him to recover a lost pearl necklace. In another story Sambu traps the same corrupt manager who used to take great pleasure in referring to him at work as "that idiot". Sambu's best moments are when he walks into his old office on the case of the pearl necklace and haughtily ignores his former colleagues who once showed him scant respect.

==Adaptations==

In the late 1980s ''Thuppariyum Sambu'' was made into a popular TV serial with [[Kathadi Ramamurthy]] as Sambu and [[Delhi Ganesh]] as the Inspector.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/he-was-a-man-of-next-generation/article18483453.ece | title= Human traits — Devan's forte | author=Charukesi | date=18 May 2017 | newspaper=The Hindu | access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2016/jun/30/Detective-Sambu-back-on-the-job-after-20-years-886630.html | title=Detective Sambu back on the job after 20 years | date=30 June 2016 | newspaper=The New Indian Express | first=Roshne | last=B | access-date=22 August 2020 }}</ref> In one of the last episodes Sambu visits London and meets with Scotland Yard sleuths and solves a crime for them, too, and on his return from the UK, he is heartily welcomed. His wife also delivers their daughter.

In early 1990s, ''Thuupariyum Sambu'' was made into a TV serial with [[Y. G. Mahendra]] as Sambu and [[A. R. Srinivasan]] as the inspector Gopalan.

The concept was also adapted into comics form created by [[Gopulu]] in [[Ananda Vikatan]].

[[Shikari Shambu]], a forest ranger character created by [[India Book House]] for their [[Tinkle]] series, is loosely based on ''Thuppariyum Shambu''. Besides the name, Shikari Shambu borrows the concept where lady luck plays a key role in helping Shikari in many an adventure.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.thrillingdetective.com/eyes/sambu.html Sambu] at Thrilling Detective.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040804180200/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/09/03/stories/13030679.htm A description of the characters in the novel]. [[The Hindu]].
*[https://www.indianimprints.com/v/Teleseries/Thupparium-Sambu/-01-Velai-Poi-Velai-Vandhadhu 15 episodes of Teleseries Thupparium Sambu]. Indian Imprints.

{{Sherlock Holmes by others}}

[[Category:Tamil novels]]
[[Category:Novels set in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Novels set in India]]
[[Category:Indian detective novels]]
[[Category:Fictional Indian people]]
[[Category:Sherlock Holmes pastiches]]
[[Category:Indian novels adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:Novels adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Indian comedy novels]]
[[Category:Novels set in the 1920s]]
[[Category:Novels set in the 1930s]]
[[Category:Novels set in the 1940s]]
[[Category:Novels set during World War II]]
[[Category:Indian short story collections]]

Thuppariyum Sambu - Revision history

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