Akilandam (1922–1988), better known by his
pen name
A pen name or nom-de-plume is a pseudonym (or, in some cases, a variant form of a real name) adopted by an author and printed on the title page or by-line of their works in place of their real name.
A pen name may be used to make the author's na ...
Akilan, was an Indian writer and novelist who wrote in
Tamil. He was attracted by
Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2October 186930January 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British ...
an philosophy during his school days and he discontinued his college education at
Pudukkottai to join the
freedom struggle. Later, after Indian independence, he joined the Railway Mail Service, after which he joined the
All India Radio
All India Radio (AIR), also known as Akashvani (), is India's state-owned public broadcasting, public radio broadcaster. Founded in 1936, it operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India), Ministry of Information and Broa ...
and became a full-fledged writer. His stories began to appear mostly in small magazines.
He was awarded the
Sahitya Academy Award and the
Jnanpith Award by the
Government of India
The Government of India (ISO 15919, ISO: Bhārata Sarakāra, legally the Union Government or Union of India or the Central Government) is the national authority of the Republic of India, located in South Asia, consisting of States and union t ...
for his novels ''Vengayin Mainthan'' and ''Chitra Pavai'' in 1963 and 1975 respectively.
Early life
He was born on 27 June at Perungalur, Pudukkottai District. He spent his childhood in a village called
Perungalur near
Pudukkottai. His father Vaithiya Lingam Pillai was an accounts officer and adored his only son Akilan very much. Unfortunately, the boy lost his loving father at an early age. But his mother Amirthammal was a loving person, and being a creative person herself, she moulded her son into a writer.
Awards won
In 1975 the novel ''Chitra Pavai'' won the prestigious
Jnanpith Award.
This work of his has been translated in all Indian languages. In 1963 his historical novel ''Vengayin Mainthan'' was awarded by Sahitya academy of Govt of India.
''Enge Pogirome'' எங்கே போகிறோம் is a unique socio-political novel of his, won the
Raja Sir Annamalai award in 1975. His children's book ''Kanana kannan'' won the special prize given by Tamil Nadu educational department. The author has written about 45 titles, most of which have been translated in all Indian state languages. Apart from this his works has been translated in other foreign languages such as English, German, Czech, Russian, Polish, Chinese, and Malay.
Works
Historical novels
*
Vengayin maindan' This is one of the famous works of Akilan, read by thousands and thousands of Tamilians all over the globe. This historical fiction captures the history of Chola dynasty. This book was dramatised by Late.Mr.Shivaji Ganesan on stage and was a huge hit.
In this novel, Akilan gives insight about the life and achievement of the great
Rajendra Chola who was a Vengaiyin Maindhan to the rest of the worl
RajendraCholan is the son of Rajaraja Cholan and his period can be referred as the height of Tamil empire in art, literature and administration. He captured many countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia (Kadaaram), southern and eastern coastal parts of India. He lived around 1010 AD and his dynasty had many business relationships with foreign countries. This novel depicts his victory over Kadaaram and the building of new city
Gangaikonda Cholapuram upon his victory over northern part of India. The newly built temple and the city internally had so many architectural designs for war-time and peace activities. Along conquering the nations, Ilango Vel conquered the hearts of beautiful girls Arulmozhi and Rohini. Their love and affection was depicted in simple yet powerful words by Akilan. Vandhiya Thevan appears in this novel as an elderly counselor, who guides Rajendra Cholan in war and administration. This novel can also be considered as a sequel to
kalki
Kalki (), also called Kalkin, is the prophesied tenth and final incarnation of the Hinduism, Hindu god Vishnu. According to Vaishnavism, Vaishnava cosmology, Kalki is destined to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga, the last of the four ages i ...
's
Ponniyin Selvan.
Because of the narration and depiction of historic facts during Chola period using proper language there is no wonder this novel received the Sakithya Academy Award from Government of India. (Sakithya Academy award-winning novel)
Chola's historical novel
* ''Kayalvizhi''. Tamil Nadu government award – Pandiya's historical novel-Akilan's Kayalvizhi is a gripping saga set in the Pandiya kingdom background.-Filmed by M.G.R as Madurai meeta sundarapandian.
* '' Vetrithirunagar''- ( historical novel based on Vijayanagara Empire
Social novels
* ''Chitrai Pavai''. A contemporary
social novel
Social organisms, including human(s), live collectively in interacting populations. This interaction is considered social whether they are aware of it or not, and whether the exchange is voluntary or not.
Etymology
The word "social" derives fro ...
written by Akilan, who vividly brings Annamalai's character to our eyes. The hero Annamalai's calm and dreamy nature surely takes our mind. The ending of this novel was highly appreciated on those days and its simply the best.- Mr. Prabhuh's Review ( Jnanpith Award-winning Tamil novel)
* ''Nenchin Alaigal''. (Award from Tamil language development)
* ''Enge Pokirom?'' (எங்கே போகிறோம்?)
* ''Pen'' (பெண்)
* ''Pavai Vilaku''. Filmed in Tamil by Shivaji Ganesan.
* ''Palmara Katinile''
* ''Thunaivi''
* ''Pudu Vellam''
* ''Valvu Enge?''- Filmed in Tamil as Kulamagal Radhai
* ''Pon Malar''
* ''Snehithi'' (சிநேகிதி)
* ''Vanama Boomiya''
* ''Inbaninaivu''
* ''Avaluku''
Short stories
* ''Akilan sirukathaigal''. 2 volumes
* ''Kombuthen kolai karan''. Short story collection.
* ''Thaipasu: Ajay the cow
Essays
* ''Nadu nam thalaivargal''. Collection of powerful essays and speeches of Akilan
Self-improvement
* ''Vetriyin Ragasiyangal''.
Art and literature
* ''Kathai Kalai''.
* ''Pudiya Vilipu''.
Autobiography
* ''Eluthum Valkayum''.
Translation
* ''Dhagam Oscar Wilde''.
* ''Eluthathakadai''.
Children books
* ''Thanga Nagaram''.
* ''Kanana Kannan''.
* ''Nalla Payan''.
Travelogue
* ''Malaysia singaporil akilan''.
Short story collections
* ''Sathya Avesam''
* ''Oorvalam''.
* ''Erimalai''.
* ''Pasiyum Rusiyum''.
* ''Velyum Payirum''.
* ''Kulanthaisirithathu''.
* ''Sakthivel''.
* ''Nilavinile''.
* ''Annpenn''.
* ''Minuvathelam''.
* ''Valipiranthathu''.
* ''Sagotharar Andro''.
* ''Oruvelaisoru''.
* ''Viduthalai''.
* ''Neloorarisi''.
* ''Sengarumbu''.
* ''Yaar Thiyagi''.
Films adapted from novels
*''
Paavai Vilakku'' (1960) (based on novel of same name)
*''
Kulamagal Radhai'' (1963) (based on novel ''Vazhvu Engey'')
*''
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan'' (1978) (based on novel ''Kayalvizhi'')
Serials adapted from novels
*''Chithirai Paavai'' (DD Podhigai) (based on novel ''Chithirai Paavai'')
References
External links
Akilan home pageMore info about the novel in Tamil
{{DEFAULTSORT:Akilan
Tamil writers
Indian male novelists
Recipients of the Jnanpith Award
Tamil-language writers
Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Tamil
1922 births
1988 deaths
People from Pudukkottai district
20th-century Indian novelists
Novelists from Tamil Nadu
20th-century Indian male writers