Legendary Tamil writer Jayakanthan passed away on 8 April 2015 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was 81.
He was known for charting a new course in Tamil literature with his bold and progressive works.
About Jayakanthan
- Jayakanthan was born on 24 April, 1934 in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. He was famously known as JK among novelists and literary enthusiasts.
- Apart from being novelist, he was also journalist, essayist, pamphleteer, filmmaker and critic.
- In his entire career, he had written around 40 novels and 200 short stories. His work mostly highlighted social injustices and economic inequality.
- Jayakanthan’s novels Cinemavukku Pona Chithalu, Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal, Oru Nadigai Nadagam Paarkiral and Yaarukkaga Azhudhaan were adapted into films.
- He was also associated with undivided Communist Party of India (CPI).
- He was founder of the Indo-Russian Cultural and Friendship Society.
- Awards- Sahitya Akademi Award (1972) for his Tamil novel Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal, Jnanpith Award (2002), Padma Bhushan (2009).
- Russian government had conferred Order of Friendship (2011) on him for his translation works of Russian novelist Pushkin.