RicoSturdivant at 00:27, 30 April 2026

2026-04-30T00:27:14Z

New page

{{Short description|Indian writer, journalist, filmmaker}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox writer 
| name = Jayakanthan
| pseudonym =
| image = ஜெயகாந்தன்.jpg
| caption = Jayakanthan in 2012
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1934|04|24}}
| birth_place = [[Cuddalore]], [[South Arcot District (Madras Presidency)|South Arcot District]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2015|04|08|1934|04|24|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Chennai, India]]
| occupation = Novelist, [[short story writer]], [[screenplay writer]], film director
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| alma_mater =
| awards = [[Padma Bhusan]], [[Jnanpith]], [[Sahitya Akademi Award]], [[Order of Friendship]]
}}

'''D. Jayakanthan''' (24 April 1934 – 8 April 2015), popularly known as '''JK''',<ref name=Frontline1>{{cite web|last1=S.|first1=Dorairaj|title=Social realist|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2919/stories/20121005291910400.htm|website=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]|year=2012|access-date=10 April 2015}}</ref> was an [[Indian people|Indian]] writer, journalist, orator, filmmaker, critic and activist. Born in [[Cuddalore]], he dropped out of school at the age of 9 and went to [[Madras]], 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 Award|Jnanpith]] and [[Sahitya Akademi Award|Sahitya Akademi]] awards. He was also a recipient of [[Padma Bhushan]] (2009), India's third-highest civilian honour,<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=2015 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2015 }}</ref> the Soviet Land Nehru Award (1978), and the [[Government of Russia|Russian government's]] [[Order of Friendship]] (2011).

==Biography==
Jayakanthan was born in 1934 into a family of agriculturists in [[Manjakuppam]], a suburb of [[Cuddalore]], a part of the [[South Arcot District (Madras Presidency)|South Arcot District]] of the erstwhile [[Madras Presidency]]. 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]].<ref name=TOI>{{cite news|last1=Raman|first1=N Kalyana|title=Jayakanthan 1934-2015 - in the commoner's era|url=http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=JAYAKANTHAN-1934-2015-IN-THE-COMMONERS-ERA-10042015006005|access-date=10 April 2015|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 April 2015|archive-date=10 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410162415/http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=JAYAKANTHAN-1934-2015-IN-THE-COMMONERS-ERA-10042015006005|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jayakanthan dropped himself out of school after completing fifth grade, as he thought studies would hinder his political activism.<ref name=FL2005>{{cite news|last1=S|first1=Viswanthan|title=A writer in his world|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2208/stories/20050422000708500.htm|access-date=11 April 2015|work=Frontline}}</ref>

In 1946, he left for [[Madras]] (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).<ref name="hindu1">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/tamil-writer-jayakanthan-dead/article7081930.ece|title=Jnanapith winner Jayakanthan dead|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=8 April 2015|access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref> His association with the CPI, instilled the ideas of the movement,<ref name="Viswanathan">{{cite web|last1=S|first1=Viswanthan|title=Celluloid tribute|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2514/stories/20080718251409200.htm|website=Frontline|access-date=10 April 2015}}</ref> where he got to accompany leaders such as P. Jeevanandham, Baladandayutham and S. Ramakrishnan. The leaders of the party encouraged him to write.<ref name="rediff">{{cite web|title=Legendary Tamil writer Jayakanthan 'JK' passes away|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/legendary-tamil-writer-jayakanthan-jk-passes-away/20150409.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=10 April 2015|date=9 April 2015}}</ref> After graduating to an active member of the party, he got to learn about topics pertaining to [[world literature]], 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.<ref name="FL2005" />

Jayakanthan wrote his first short story for a Tamil magazine titled ''Sowbakiyavathi'',<ref name=hindu1 /> which got it published in 1953. Following early success, Jayakanthan started writing for mainstream magazines such as ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'', ''[[Kumudam]]'' and ''Dinamani Kadir'', who published a number of short-stories particularly in the 1960s.<ref name=Frontline1 /><ref name=rediff /> In 1964, Jayakanthan entered films by co-producing and directing a venture titled ''[[Unnaipol Oruvan (1965 film)|Unnaipol Oruvan]]'', based on his novel.<ref name=rediff /> The film focussed on the plight of slum-dwellers. Although a commercial failure, it won the [[Discontinued and Intermittent National Film Awards#Third Best Feature Film|President's Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film]] in 1965.<ref>{{cite book|author=Times of India (Firm)|title=The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lEEjAQAAMAAJ|year=1965|publisher=Bennett, Coleman.|page=279}}</ref> The following year he made another film based on his namesake novel ''[[Yaarukkaga Azhudhaan]]'' which had [[Nagesh]] playing the lead role.<ref name=Bhaskaran>{{cite news|last1=Bhaskaran|first1=S. Theodre|title=Tragic comedian|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2604/stories/20090227260413300.htm|work=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]|access-date=10 April 2015}}</ref> His novel ''[[Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (novel)|Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal]]'' (1970) won him the [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Tamil|Sahitya Akademi Award]] (for Tamil) in 1972. Later this was adapted into a [[Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1977 film)|film of the same name]] by [[A. Bhimsingh]], which won a [[National Film Awards|National Film Award]]. Promoted by the film's success, Bhimsingh made one more film tilted ''Oru Nadigai Naadagam Paarkiral'', based on his namesake novel.<ref name=jagranjosh>{{cite web|title=Jnanapith awardee Tamil writer Jayakanthan died|url=http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/jnanapith-awardee-tamil-writer-jayakanthan-died-1428578175-1|publisher=jagranjosh.com|access-date=10 April 2015|date=9 April 2015}}</ref>

In 2008, Ravisubramaniyan made a documentary film on Jayakanthan, the second of its kind, and was produced by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref name=FL2008>{{cite news|title=It was Ilaiyaraaja's decision|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2514/stories/20080718251409300.htm|date=July 2008|access-date=11 April 2015|work=Frontline}}</ref> In 2011, ''Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' was adapted into a [[Malayalam]] television series ''Chila Nerangalil Chila Manushyar''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 January 2011|title=Chila Nerangalil Chila Manushyar comes alive on Amrita TV|url=https://www.afaqs.com/news/company_briefs/?id=47470_Chila+Nerangalil+Chila+Manushyar+comes+alive+on+Amrita+TV|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322015313/https://www.afaqs.com/news/company_briefs/?id=47470_Chila+Nerangalil+Chila+Manushyar+comes+alive+on+Amrita+TV|archive-date=22 March 2018|access-date=20 November 2021|website=Afaqs}}</ref> 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.<ref name=hindu1 />

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]].

A musical tribute to Jayakanthan was released by [[Bava Chelladurai]], Bharathi Baskar and [[Jeyamohan]] on 24 April 2023 as part of Jayakanthan's birthday celebration. Composer [[Rajan Somasundaram|Raleigh Rajan]] selected three of Jayakanthan's poems and created the musical tribute sung by Sathyaprakash.<ref name=YT2023>{{cite news|title=Bava Chelladurai and Bharathi Baskar launch Musical Tribute to Jayakanthan|url=https://www.jeyamohan.in/182507/|date=April 2023|access-date=27 June 2023|work=Launch Event}}</ref>

==Personal life, influences and political views==
Jayakanthan was married to his cousin Gnanambikai, who worked as a primary school teacher. The couple had two daughters and a son - J Kadambari, J Jayasimhan, and J Deepalakshmi.<ref name=hindu1 /> 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.<ref name=Feb2015>{{cite news|last1=S|first1=Viswanthan|title=A writer in his world|url=http://www.frontline.in/other/a-writer-in-his-world/article6808011.ece|access-date=10 April 2015|work=Frontline|date=6 February 2015}}</ref> He was coaxed to join politics by K. Baladhandayutham of the CPI. While he stood up against the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] 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]].

Despite his recognition and popularity as an exceptional Tamil author in multiple genres, Jayakanthan's entry into electoral politics did not end successfully. He contested the 1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, as an Independent candidate in the Theagaraya Nagar constituency and could poll only 481 votes (0.64%). He had remarked the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] as a "fascist" organisation.<ref name=hindu1 /> This extremist view of Jayakanthan is resented by Sri Lankan Tamils, and attribute it to his knowledge deficit on the history of Sri Lankan Tamils.

==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.<ref name=Kolappan>{{cite news|last1=B|first1=Kolappan|title=Firebrand writer who dared to question social mores|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/firebrand-writer-who-dared-to-question-social-mores/article7083191.ece|access-date=10 April 2015|work=The Hindu|date=9 April 2015}}</ref>

==Criticism==
Prolific Tamil writer [[Jeyamohan]] 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.<ref>http://jeyamohan.in/?s=%E0%AE%9C%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D+#.WLht_W997IU Jeyamohan Essays, Answers</ref> 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.<ref>http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/106462 Jayanthasri Balakrishnan study</ref>

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)<ref name=FL2005 />
* ''Oru Ilakkiyavaathiyin Kalaiyulaga Anubhavangal'' (lit. Experiences of a literary person in the world of art; 1980)<ref name=FL2005 />

===Novels and novelettes===
{{colbegin}}
* ''Vazhkkai Azhaikkiradhu''. 1957
* ''Kaivilanggu''. 1961
* ''Yarukkaka Azhuthan?''. 1962
* ''Birammopadhesam''. 1963
* ''Piralayam''. 1965
* ''Karunaiyinal Alla''. 1965
* ''Rishimoolam''. 1965
* ''Yosikkum Velayil'' (lit. While thinking; 1982)<ref name=FL2005 />
* ''Parisukkup Po!''. 1966
* ''Kokila Enna Seythu Vittal?''. 1967
* ''[[Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (novel)|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
{{colend}}

===Film adaptations===
* ''[[Unnaipol Oruvan (1965 film)|Unnaipol Oruvan]]'' (1965; screenwriter and director)
* ''[[Kaaval Dheivam]]'' (1968) Story (kaivilangu)
* ''[[Yaarukkaga Azhudhaan]]'' (1966; also screenwriter and director)<ref name=Bhaskaran />
* ''[[Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1977 film)|Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Oru Nadigai Natakam Parkiral]]'' (1978)<ref name=rediff />
* ''[[Ooruku Nooruper]]'' (2001)
*
* ''Oru Manithan Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam'' (2017)
* ''Sarovaram'' (1993) Malayalam

===Short stories===
Jayakanthan's portfolio includes 200 short stories.<ref>{{cite web|title=Short Story Collections of Jeyakantan|url=http://tamilnation.co/literature/modernwriters/jeyakantan/00.htm|publisher=tamilnation.co|access-date=12 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Short Story Collections of D. Jayakanthan|url=http://projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/pdf/pm0204.pdf|publisher=projectmadurai.org|access-date=22 April 2015}}</ref>
{{colbegin}}
* ''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''
{{colend}}

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

==Awards and honours==
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Tamil|Sahitya Akademi Award]] for ''Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' (1972)<ref name=rediff />
* Soviet Land Nehru Award in (1978)<ref name=rediff />
* Fellow of [[Sahitya Akademi]] (1996)<ref name=rediff />
* [[Jnanpith Award]] (2002)<ref name=rediff />
* [[Padma Bhushan]] (2009)<ref name=rediff />
* [[Order of Friendship]] (2011)<ref name=rediff />
*[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer]] (1978)

==See also==
* [[List of Indian writers]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Jnanpith Award}}
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2000–09}}
{{Sahitya Akademi Award For Tamil}}
{{SahityaAkademiFellowship}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|India|Literature}}

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

Jayakanthan - Revision history

RicoSturdivant at 00:27, 30 April 2026