Jnanapith awardee Tamil writer Jayakanthan died

Tamil novelist, short story writer and literary critic Jayakanthan died in Chennai on 8 April 2015. He was 81. He is survived now by wife, two daughters and a son.

Jayakanthan writings were mainly focused against social injustices and economic inequality in the society. His writings earned him Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972, Jnanpith in 2002 and Padma Bhushan in 2009.

He started writing from around 1953 in Tamil magazines such as Saraswathi, Thamarai, Grama Uzhiyan and Anantha Vikatan and went on to author about 40 novels and novellas along with several short stories, poems, and articles.

His autobiographies
a) Oru Ilakkiyavathiyin Arasiyal Anubavangal
b) Oru Arasiyalvathiyin Ilakkiya Anubavanga

Some of his novels were adapted as films and they were
a) Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal
b) Oru Nadigai Nadagam Paarkiral
c) Yaarukkaga Azhudhaan
d) Cinemavukku Pona Chithalu
e) Unnaipol Oruva
f) Ooruku Nooruper

Jayakanthan, known as JK among his friends, himself experimented with film-making and directed films like Yarukkaka Azhudhaan, Unnai Pol Oruvan and Paathai Theiryuthu Paar.

Born on 24 April 1934 in Cuddalore, he became a member of the Communist party at a very young age and founded the Indo-Russian Cultural and Friendship Society.

Awards and honors conferred on him
a) Fellow of Sahitya Akademi in 1996
b) Russia in 2011 announced Order of Friendship for him
c) Soviet Land Nehru Award (1978)
d) Raja Rajan Award (1986)
e) The Tamil Nadu Government Award (1986)