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, he dropped out of school at the age of 9 and went to
Madras
Chennai, also known as Madras ( its official name until 1996), is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. According to the 2011 Indian ce ...
, where he joined the
Communist Party of India
The Communist Party of India (CPI) is a political party in India. The CPI considers the Foundation of the Communist Party of India, December 26, 1925 Cawnpore (Kanpur) conference as its foundation date. Between 1946 and 1951, the CPI led m ...
. 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 off ...
awards. He was also a recipient of
Padma Bhushan (2009), India's third-highest civilian honour,
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
The Madras Presidency or Madras Province, officially called the Presidency of Fort St. George until 1937, was an administrative subdivision (province) of British India and later the Dominion of India. At its greatest extent, the presidency i ...
. 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
Madras
Chennai, also known as Madras ( its official name until 1996), is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. According to the 2011 Indian ce ...
(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
The Communist Party of India (CPI) is a political party in India. The CPI considers the Foundation of the Communist Party of India, December 26, 1925 Cawnpore (Kanpur) conference as its foundation date. Between 1946 and 1951, the CPI led m ...
(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, 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'', ''
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'' which had
Nagesh playing the lead role.
His novel ''
Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' (1970) won him the
Sahitya Akademi Award (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
Ilaiyaraaja (born R. Gnanathesikan) is an Indian musician, composer, arranger, conductor, orchestrator, multi-instrumentalist, lyricist and playback singer popular for his works in Indian cinema, predominately in Tamil cinema, Tamil in addition ...
.
In 2011, ''Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' was adapted into a
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...
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.
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 selected three of Jayakanthan's poems and created the musical tribute sung by Sathyaprakash.
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.
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 an Indian political party based in the state of Tamil Nadu, where it is currently the ruling party, and the union territory of Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry, where it is currently the main ...
and its leaders for a majority of his lifetime, he supported the CPI leaders for "Nehruvian socialism" and had a great admiration
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (Given name, ''née'' Nehru; 19 November 1917 – 31 October 1984) was an Indian politician and stateswoman who served as the Prime Minister of India, prime minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 un ...
. 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, or simply the Congress, is a political parties in India, political party in India with deep roots in most regions of India. Founded on 28 December 1885, it was the first mo ...
. He remarked the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam 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 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.
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'' (1968) Story (kaivilangu)
* ''
Yaarukkaga Azhudhaan'' (1966; also screenwriter and director)
* ''
Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' (1977)
* ''
Oru Nadigai Natakam Parkiral'' (1978)
* ''
Ooruku Nooruper'' (2001)
*
* ''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
*
Sahitya Akademi Award for ''Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' (1972)
* Soviet Land Nehru Award in (1978)
* Fellow of
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 off ...
(1996)
*
Jnanpith Award (2002)
*
Padma Bhushan (2009)
*
Order of Friendship (2011)
*
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer (1978)
See also
*
List of Indian writers
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
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