Jayakanthan
Jayakanthan | |
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Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi Award, Order of Friendship |
D. Jayakanthan (24 April 1934 – 8 April 2015), popularly known as JK,
Jayakanthan's literary honours include Jnanpith and Sahitya Akademi awards. He was also a recipient of Padma Bhushan (2009), India's third-highest civilian honour,[2] the Soviet Land Nehru Award (1978), and the 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 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.[3] Jayakanthan dropped himself out of school after completing fifth grade, as he thought studies would hinder his political activism.[4]
In 1946, he left for
Jayakanthan wrote his first short story for a Tamil magazine titled Sowbakiyavathi,
In 2008, Ravisubramaniyan made a documentary film on Jayakanthan, the second of its kind, and was produced by Ilaiyaraaja.[11] In 2011, Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal was adapted into a Malayalam television series Chila Nerangalil Chila Manushyar.[12] 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.[5]
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
Personal life, influences and political views
Jayakanthan was married to his cousin. The couple had two daughters and a son.[5] 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.[14] 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. He remarked the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a "fascist" organisation.[5] Considering the flip flops of Jayakanthan's politics in Tamil Nadu, this particular view of him has to be taken as a geriatric patient's incomprehensibility of Sri Lankan politics.
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.[15]
Criticism
Prolific Tamil writer
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)[4]
- Oru Ilakkiyavaathiyin Kalaiyulaga Anubhavangal (lit. Experiences of a literary person in the world of art; 1980)[4]
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)[4]
- 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 (1968) Story (kaivilangu)
- Yaarukkaga Azhudhaan (1966; also screenwriter and director)[9]
- Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1977)
- Oru Nadigai Natakam Parkiral (1978)[7]
- 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.[18][19]
- 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
- Sahitya Akademi Award for Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1972)[7]
- Soviet Land Nehru Award in (1978)[7]
- Fellow of Sahitya Akademi (1996)[7]
- Jnanpith Award (2002)[7]
- Padma Bhushan (2009)[7]
- Order of Friendship (2011)[7]
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer (1978)
See also
References
- ^ a b S., Dorairaj (2012). "Social realist". Frontline. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ Raman, N Kalyana (10 April 2015). "Jayakanthan 1934-2015 - in the commoner's era". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d e S, Viswanthan. "A writer in his world". Frontline. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Jnanapith winner Jayakanthan dead". The Hindu. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ S, Viswanthan. "Celluloid tribute". Frontline. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Legendary Tamil writer Jayakanthan 'JK' passes away". Rediff.com. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ Times of India (Firm) (1965). The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who. Bennett, Coleman. p. 279.
- ^ a b Bhaskaran, S. Theodre. "Tragic comedian". Frontline. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ "Jnanapith awardee Tamil writer Jayakanthan died". jagranjosh.com. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ "It was Ilaiyaraaja's decision". Frontline. July 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ "Chila Nerangalil Chila Manushyar comes alive on Amrita TV". Afaqs. 14 January 2011. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "Bava Chelladurai and Bharathi Baskar launch Musical Tribute to Jayakanthan". Launch Event. April 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ S, Viswanthan (6 February 2015). "A writer in his world". Frontline. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ B, Kolappan (9 April 2015). "Firebrand writer who dared to question social mores". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ 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
- ^ http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/106462 Jayanthasri Balakrishnan study
- ^ "Short Story Collections of Jeyakantan". tamilnation.co. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "Short Story Collections of D. Jayakanthan" (PDF). projectmadurai.org. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
External links
- Media related to Jayakanthan at Wikimedia Commons