Contents
Akilan
Tamil novels including Vengayin Mainthan and Chitra Pavai
Vengayin Mainthan · Chitra Pavai
- Born
- 27 June 1922
- Birthplace
- Perungalur, Tamil Nadu
- Died
- 1988
More people
Akilan
Akilan was the pen name of Akilandam, an Indian novelist writing in Tamil. His books ranged from historical fiction about the Cholas to novels addressing modern social life.
Early life
Perungalur childhood
He grew up near Pudukkottai; his father died while he was young and his mother encouraged his writing.
Career
- After independence
Postal and radio work
Worked in the Railway Mail Service and later All India Radio.
- 1963
Literary recognition
Received the Sahitya Akademi Award for Vengayin Mainthan.
- 1975
Jnanpith Award
Won the award associated with Chitra Pavai.
Selected work
Vengayin Mainthan
Historical fiction set around Rajendra Chola and the Chola empire.
Chitra Pavai
The novel recognised by his Jnanpith Award.
Beyond work
Independence movement
Gandhian ideas drew him into the freedom struggle, and he left college to participate.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and career ↗Biographical references ↗Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
Photo: Creator not stated; see image source. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.