D. Jayakanthan (24 April 1934 – 8 April 2015), popularly known as JK, was an Indian writer, journalist, orator, filmmaker, critic and activist. Born in

Cuddalore Cuddalore, also spelt as Kadalur (), is the city and headquarters of the Cuddalore District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Situated south of Chennai, Cuddalore was an important port during the British Raj. While the early history of Cudda ...

, he dropped out of school at the age of 9 and went to

Madras Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Tamil Nadu, the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost states and territories of India, Indian state. The largest city ...

, where he joined the Communist Party of India. In a career spanning six decades, he authored around 40 novels, 200 short stories, apart from two autobiographies. Outside literature, he made two films. In addition, four of his other novels were adapted into films by others. Jayakanthan's literary honours include Jnanpith and

Sahitya Akademi The Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India. Founded on 12 March 1954, it is supported by, though independent of, the Indian government. Its of ...

awards. He was also a recipient of

Padma Bhushan The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "distinguished servi ...

(2009), India's third-highest civilian honour, the Soviet Land Nehru Award (1978), and the Russian government's

Order of Friendship The Order of Friendship (russian: Орден Дружбы, ') is a state decoration of the Russian Federation established by Boris Yeltsin by presidential decree 442 of 2 March 1994 to reward Russian and foreign nationals whose work, deeds ...

(2011).

Biography

Jayakanthan was born in 1934 into a family of agriculturists in Manjakuppam, a suburb of

, a part of the South Arcot District of the erstwhile

Madras Presidency The Madras Presidency, or the Presidency of Fort St. George, also known as Madras Province, was an administrative subdivision (presidency) of British India. At its greatest extent, the presidency included most of southern India, including th ...

. Brought up by his mother and maternal uncles, he got interested in politics at a young age as his uncles were actively involved in it. As a child, he was highly inspired by the works of Subramania Bharati. Jayakanthan dropped himself out of school after completing fifth grade, as he thought studies would hinder his political activism. In 1946, he left for

(now Chennai) in search of livelihood, where he performed odd jobs, before ending up as a compositor in the printing press of Communist Party of India (CPI). His association with the CPI, instilled the ideas of the movement, where he got to accompany leaders such as P. Jeevanandham, Baladandayutham and S. Ramakrishnan. The leaders of the party encouraged him to write. After graduating to an active member of the party, he got to learn about topics pertaining to

world literature World literature is used to refer to the total of the world's national literature and the circulation of works into the wider world beyond their country of origin. In the past, it primarily referred to the masterpieces of Western European lit ...

, culture, politics, economics and journalism. It was during this time, Jayakanthan started writing for pro-communist magazines. Over the next few years, he established himself as one of the top-most writers in the party. His early works were first published in the party newspaper ''Janasakthi'', and soon other magazines like ''Sarasvathi'', ''Thamarai'', ''Santhi'', ''Manithan'', ''Sakthi'' and ''Samaran'' published his works. His early works focussed on the plight of slum-dwellers who were settled in and around the party office. Jayakanthan wrote his first short story for a Tamil magazine titled ''Sowbakiyavathi'', which got it published in 1953. Following early success, Jayakanthan started writing for mainstream magazines such as ''

Ananda Vikatan ''Ananda Vikatan'' is a Tamil-language weekly magazine published from Chennai, India. History and profile ''Ananda Vikatan'' was started by Late Pudhoor Vaidyanadhaiyar in February 1926 as a monthly publication. The issue for December 1927 ...

'', '' Kumudam'' and ''Dinamani Kadir'', who published a number of short-stories particularly in the 1960s. In 1964, Jayakanthan entered films by co-producing and directing a venture titled '' Unnaipol Oruvan'', based on his novel. The film focussed on the plight of slum-dwellers. Although a commercial failure, it won the President's Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film in 1965. The following year he made another film based on his namesake novel ''

Yaarukkaga Azhudhaan ''Yaarukkaga Azhudhaan'' () is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language thriller drama film written, produced and directed by Jayakanthan. It is based on his novel of the same name. The film stars Nagesh, K. R. Vijaya, T. S. Balaiah, S. V. Sahasranamam and ...

'' which had

Nagesh Nagesh (born Cheyur Krishnarao Nageshwaran; (27 September 1933 – 31 January 2009) was an Indian actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian in Tamil films during the 1960s. Nagesh was born in Dharapuram. He acted in over 1,000 Cine ...

playing the lead role. His novel '' Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' (1970) won him the

Sahitya Akademi Award The Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honour in India, which the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 22 languages of the ...

(for Tamil) in 1972. Later this was adapted into a film of the same name by A. Bhimsingh, which won a National Film Award. Promoted by the film's success, Bhimsingh made one more film tilted ''Oru Nadigai Naadagam Paarkiral'', based on his namesake novel. In 2008, Ravisubramaniyan made a documentary film on Jayakanthan, the second of its kind, and was produced by Ilaiyaraaja. In 2011, ''Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' was adapted into a

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry ( Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam wa ...

television series ''Chila Nerangalil Chila Manushyar''. In February 2014, Jayakanthan was admitted into a private hospital in Chennai following illness. Following a brief illness, he was discharged after a year, and died on 8 April 2015. In 2017 his award-winning novel ''Oru Manithan Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam'' is being made as a feature film by award-winning filmmaker Kumar G. Venkatesh.

Personal life, influences and political views

Jayakanthan was married to his cousin. The couple had two daughters and a son. Born in a family that had a lot of political activists, Jayakanthan became interested in politics at a young age. He became a strong supporter of the CPI ever since joining the party in the 1950s. He was coaxed to join politics by K. Baladhandayutham of the CPI. While he stood up against the

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (; DMK) is a political party based in the state of Tamil Nadu where it is currently the ruling party having a comfortable majority without coalition support and the union territory of Puducherry where it is curre ...

and its leaders for a majority of his lifetime, he supported the CPI leaders for "Nehruvian socialism" and had a great admiration Indira Gandhi. He quit the CPI, and later joined the Tamil Desiyak Katchi, founded by E. V. K. Sampath, before joining the

Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress (INC), colloquially the Congress Party but often simply the Congress, is a political party in India with widespread roots. Founded in 1885, it was the first modern nationalist movement to emerge in the British ...

. He remarked the

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE; ta, தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் புலிகள், translit=Tamiḻīḻa viṭutalaip pulikaḷ, si, දෙමළ ඊළාම් විමුක්ති කොටි, t ...

as a "fascist" organisation.

Literary style and themes

A majority of Jayakanthan's works revolve around the lives of underclass people like rickshaw-pullers, prostitutes and rag-pickers. In an interview, he said that during his initial days in Chennai he spent his life amidst such people. This prompted him to develop a liking towards them.

Criticism

Prolific Tamil writer

Jeyamohan Bahuleyan Jeyamohan (born 22 April 1962) is an Indian Tamil and Malayalam language writer and literary critic from Nagercoil in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. His best-known and most critically acclaimed work is ''Vishnupuram'', a fantasy ...

has written numerous articles about the fictional world in Jayakanthan's works, and also had extensively discussed it in his book ''Mannum Marabum'' along with several other authors. Major Tamil critic M. Vedhasagayakumar has made a comparative study on the works of Jayakanthan and Pudhumaipithan. Jayanthasri Balakrishnan did her doctoral research study in Tamil on complete novellas of Jayakanthan. ''Jayakanthanin ilakkiyathadam'', ''Jayakanthan oru paarvai'' are the books written on the works of Jayakanthan by Pa. Krishnasamy and K.S. Subramanian respectively. A full-length documentary made by filmmaker Ravi Subramaniam and other essays by several Tamil writers written after the death of the writer are also considered notableworks on him.

Works of Jayakanthan

Non-fiction

* ''Oru Ilakkiyavaathiyin Arasiyal Anubhavangal'' (lit. Political experiences of a literary person; 1974) * ''Oru Ilakkiyavaathiyin Kalaiyulaga Anubhavangal'' (lit. Experiences of a literary person in the world of art; 1980)

Novels and novelettes

* ''Vazhkkai Azhaikkiradhu''. 1957 * ''Kaivilanggu''. 1961 * ''Yarukkaka Azhuthan?''. 1962 * ''Birammopadhesam''. 1963 * ''Piralayam''. 1965 * ''Karunaiyinal Alla''. 1965 * ''Rishimoolam''. 1965 * ''Yosikkum Velayil'' (lit. While thinking; 1982) * ''Parisukkup Po!''. 1966 * ''Kokila Enna Seythu Vittal?''. 1967 * '' Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal''. 1970 * ''Oru Nadikai Nadakam Parkkiral''. 1971 * ''Cinemavukkup Pona Siththal''. 1972 * ''Oru Manidhan Oru Vidu Oru Ulakam''. 1973 * ''Jaya Jaya Sankara''. 1977 * ''Ganggai Engge Pogiral''. 1978 * ''Oru Kudumpaththil N^Adakkirathu''. 1979 * ''Pavam, Ival Oru Pappaththi!''. 1979 * ''Enggenggu Kaninum''. 1979 * ''Oorukku Nooruper''. 1979 * ''Karikkodukal''. 1979 * ''Munggil Kattu Nila''. 1979 * ''Oru Manidhanum Sila Erumaimadukalum''. 1979 * '' Ovvoru Kuraikkum Kizhe''. 1980 * ''Pattimarkalum Peththimarkalum''. 1980 * ''Appuvukku Appa Sonna Kadhaikal''. 1980 * ''Kaththirukka Oruththi''. 1980 * ''Karu''. 1981 * ''Aydha Pusai''. 1982 * ''Sunthara Kandam''. 1982 * ''Isvara Alla There Nam''. 1983 * ''O, Amerikka!''. 1983 * ''Illadhavarkal''. 1983 * ''Idhaya Ranikalum Ispedu Rajakkalum''. 1983 * ''Karru Veliyinile''. 1984 * ''Kazhuththil Vizhuntha Malai''. 1984 * ''Andha Akkavaiththedi''. 1985 * ''Innum Oru Pennin Kadhai''. 1986

Film adaptations

* '' Unnaipol Oruvan'' (1965; screenwriter and director) * ''

Kaaval Dheivam ''Kaaval Dheivam'' () is a 1969 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by K. Vijayan and produced by S. V. Subbaiah. An adaptation of the novel ''Kai Vilangu'' by Jayakanthan, the film stars Sivakumar, Sowcar Janaki, Lakshmi and Nagesh in ...

'' (1968) Story (kaivilangu) * ''

'' (1966; also screenwriter and director) * '' Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' (1977) * '' Oru Nadigai Natakam Parkiral'' (1978) * '' Ooruku Nooruper'' (2001) * '' Pithamagan'' (2001) based on his own ''Nandavanathil Oru Aandi'' * ''Oru Manithan Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam'' (2017) * ''Sarovaram'' (1993) Malayalam

Short stories

Jayakanthan's portfolio includes 200 short stories. * ''Yugasanthi'' * ''Illadhadhu Yedhu'' * ''Irandu Kuzhanthaigal'' * ''Naan Irukkiren'' * ''Bommai'' * ''Devan Varuvaara'' * ''Thuravu'' * ''Poo Uthirum'' * ''Kuraippiravi'' * ''Enthiram'' * ''Treadle'' * ''Pinakku'' * ''Nandavanthil Oar Aandi'' (made into Pithamagan) * ''Nee Inna Sir Solra?'' * ''Puthiya Vaarpugal'' * ''Suya Tharisanam'' * ''Agrahaarathu Poonai'' * ''Agni Pravesam'' * ''Puthu Seruppu Kadikkum'' * ''Naan Enna Seiyattum Sollungo?'' * ''Gurupeetam'' * ''Tea Kadai Samiyaarum Tractor Saamiyaarum'' * ''Nikki'' * ''Oru Veedu Poottikkidakkirathu'' * ''Naan Jannalaruge Utkarnthirukkiren'' * ''Gurukkal Aathu Paiyan'' * ''Munnilavum Pinpaniyum'' * ''Mutrugai'' * ''Sumaithangi'' * ''Nadaipaathaiyil Gnaanopathesam'' * ''Oru Bhakthar''

Essays

* ''Bharathi Padam'' (1974) * ''Imayaththukku Appal'' (1979)

Awards and honours

for ''Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' (1972) * Soviet Land Nehru Award in (1978) * Fellow of

(1996) * Jnanpith Award (2002) *

(2009) *

(2011) * Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer (1978)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Jayakanthan Tamil-language writers Tamil screenwriters Tamil activists 1934 births 2015 deaths Pamphleteers Recipients of the Jnanpith Award Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Tamil Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in literature & education People from Cuddalore district Tamil film directors 20th-century Indian novelists 21st-century Indian novelists Indian male novelists Indian male essayists Indian male short story writers Tamil writers Indian male screenwriters 20th-century Indian short story writers 21st-century Indian short story writers 20th-century Indian essayists 21st-century Indian essayists Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu 20th-century Indian male writers 21st-century Indian male writers Novelists from Tamil Nadu Journalists from Tamil Nadu 20th-century Indian journalists 21st-century Indian journalists