Legendary Tamil writer Jayakanthan passes away

April 9, 2015

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.