Akilan
Encyclopedia
Akilan was a Tamil
author noted for his realistic and creative writing style. Akilan was a freedom fighter, novel
ist, short-story writer, journalist
, satirist, travel writer, playwright, script-writer, orator and critic.He is also a children's novelist.
The author was attracted by Gandhian philosophy during his school days and he discontinued his college education at Pudukotai to join the freedom struggle.
Later, after Indian independence, he joined the Railway Mail Service, after which he joined the AIR (All India Radio
) and became a full fledged writer.
His stories began to appear mostly in small magazines.
. This work of his has been translated in all Indian languages.In 1963 his historical novel Vengayin Mainthan (வேங்கையின் மைந்தன்) was awarded by Sahithya academy of Govt of India.
Engepogirome a peculiar 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.
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 world.http://classic1231.tripod.com//vengayin_maindan.html 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 geographies including Indonesia (Kadaaram), Srilanka, Malaysia, 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 appear in this novel as elder character, who guides Rajendra Cholan in war and administration. 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
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
author noted for his realistic and creative writing style. Akilan was a freedom fighter, novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
ist, short-story writer, journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, satirist, travel writer, playwright, script-writer, orator and critic.He is also a children's novelist.
Early life
Akilan was the pen name of Akilandam, who was born on 22 June at Perungalore . He spent his childhood in a small hamlet called Perungalore near Pudukottai. 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.The author was attracted by Gandhian philosophy during his school days and he discontinued his college education at Pudukotai to join the freedom struggle.
Later, after Indian independence, he joined the Railway Mail Service, after which he joined the AIR (All India Radio
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
) and became a full fledged writer.
His stories began to appear mostly in small magazines.
Awards won
In 1975 the novel Chitra pavai (சித்திர பாவை) won the prestigious Jnanpith AwardJnanpith Award
The Jnanpith Award is a literary award in India. Along with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, it is one of the two most prestigious literary honours in the country...
. This work of his has been translated in all Indian languages.In 1963 his historical novel Vengayin Mainthan (வேங்கையின் மைந்தன்) was awarded by Sahithya academy of Govt of India.
Engepogirome a peculiar 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.
Historical novels
- Vengayin maindan This is one of the famous works of Akilan, read by thousands and thousands of Tamilian's 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 world.http://classic1231.tripod.com//vengayin_maindan.html 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 geographies including Indonesia (Kadaaram), Srilanka, Malaysia, 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
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Gangaikonda Cholapuram was erected as the capital of the Cholas by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola, the great Chola who conquered a large area in South India at the beginning of the 11th century C.E. It occupies an important place in the history of India. As the capital...
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 appear in this novel as elder character, who guides Rajendra Cholan in war and administration. 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 EmpireVijayanagara EmpireThe Vijayanagara Empire , referred as the Kingdom of Bisnaga by the Portuguese, was an empire based in South Indian in the Deccan Plateau region. It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Yadava lineage. The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts...
)
Social Novels
- Chitrai Pavai. A contemporary social novel 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 ெபண்
- Pavai Vilaku. Filmed In Tamil by Shivaji Ganesan.
- Palmara Katinile
- Thunaivi
- Pudu Vellam
- Valvu Enge?
- Pon Malar
- Snehithi
- Vanama Boomiya
- Inbaninaivu
- Avaluku
Short Stories
- Akilan sirukathaigal. 2 volumes
- Kombuthen kolai karan. Short story collection
Short story collections
- Sathya Avesam. சத்தியஆேவசம்
- Oorvalam.
- Erimalai.
- Pasiyum Rusiyum.
- Velyum Payirum.
- Kulanthaisirithathu.
- Sakthivel.
- Nilavinile.
- Annpenn.
- Minuvathelam.
- Valipiranthathu.
- Sagotharar Andro.
- Oruvelaisoru.
- Viduthalai.
- Neloorarisi.
- Sengarumbu.