Famous Tamil Novel Writers and Their Literary Legacy

Translating ideas into words requires a skill, which in turn transforms into crafting stories and creating legacies. Similarly, Tamil novel writers have contributed immensely to Tamil literature through their renowned works. From the 18th century until now, there have been various famous Tamil novel writers who have discovered ancient heritage in Tamil literature. A few of the famous Tamil novel writers are Sujatha, Kalki, Perumal Murugan, Indira Parthasarathy, etc. Each writer has a unique style and tone that they use to convey messages through their novels. To learn more about their contribution and literary legacies, continue reading the content below. 

Who are the Renowned Tamil Novel Writers? 

• Kalki Krishnamurthy

Ramaswamy Krishnamurthy is one of the well-known Tamil novel writers by his pen name, Kalki Krishnamurthy. He is a novelist, poet, social activist, critic, etc. With reference to the god Vishnu, Ramaswamy has chosen his pen name as Kalki. 

• Literary Works: His famous novels are Ponniyam Selvan, Parthiban Kanavu, and Sivagamiyin Sabatham. 

• Legacy: The novels of Kalki have turned out to be outstanding films in cinema. His perspective had influenced Tamil culture and cinema. As a journalist, he had created a magazine named Kalki and played a significant role in Tamil journalism. 

• Jayakanthan

Jayakanthan, a renowned Tamil novelist who is popularly called JK. He has written about the pain of people like ordinary women, sex workers, slum dwellers, etc. He spoke for such people to grab attention and value for the unsung heroes of the world. Jayakanthan is the most loved among Tamil novel writers of the 20th century. 

• Literary works: JK's famous Tamil works are Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal, Oru Nadigai Nadagam Parkiral, Kaivilanggu, Karu, etc., 

• Legacy: JK has always celebrated women and their qualities in Tamil literature. He had also voiced concerns about middle-class life and their unvoiced struggles. Moreover, his novels have been claimed to be shot as Tamil films that improve the quality of Tamil movies and literature. 

• Sujatha (Rangarajan)

Sujatha is an author and a patriotic Tamil novelist, popularly known by his other name, Sujatha. His original name is S. Rangarajan. He is an eminent contributor to Tamil literature who has provided regular Tamil novels to the periodicals and magazines. The two famous magazines are Kumudam and Ananda Vikatan. Moreover, he is the finest contributor to Tamil cinema through his screenplays and dialogues. 

• Literary Works: One of his famous novels was Amuthavum Avanum, which was later remade into a famous Tamil film named Kannathil Muthamittal. His other novels are Meendum Jeano, Sorga Theevu, En Iniya Iyanthira etc., 

• Legacy: Sujatha is a regular contributor to Tamil literature and is known for his works, such as Nila Nila Odi Vaa. He influenced technology and science through his service to Tamil literature.

• Indira Parthasarathy

R. Parthasarathy, who is also called Indira Parthasarathy or Ee.Paa., is well versed in Tamil novels and wrote about 16 novels in Tamil, which is a significant contribution towards Tamil literature. He is the only Tamil novelist who is honoured by the Sangeet Natak Academy Award and the Sahitya Academy Award. 

• Literary Works: R. Parthasarathy's Tamil literary works are Kuruthi Punal, Theevukal, Thirukuralin Kathai, Thiraigalukku Appal, etc.  He has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for his renowned novel named Kuruthi Punal.

• Legacy: R. Parthasarathy has tuned Tamil literature through his ideology of socio-political concepts and philosophical ideas. His Tamil literary works have always focused on myth and history. 

• Perumal Murugan

Perumal Murugan is an Indian writer who is well-versed in writing Tamil novels. Perumal Murugan has written 12 Tamil novels, which later have been translated into English. His work has also impacted English literature. He is an esteemed Tamil novelist who contributed to both Tamil and English literature.

• Literary Works: Perumal Murugan's Tamil novels are Pukkuli, Maadhorubhaagan, Kanganam, Eru Veyyil, etc., Despite facing numerous controversies in Tamil literature, he continued to contribute to Tamil writings. 

• Legacy: He often focuses his writing on gender, caste, and society. His passion for Tamil writing hasn't stopped even after censorship and controversies. At present, Perumal Murugan's works are celebrated worldwide. 

• Pudhumaipithan 

Pudhumaipithan is basically known as C. Viruthachalam, who is an influential writer of Tamil fictional novels. Although his novels have received both satire and criticism, his passion for and contributions to Tamil literature have not waned. 

• Literary works: Pudhumaipithan has written an anthology of short stories and framed it as a novel. He wrote Pudhumai Pithan Kathaigal, in which he introduced realism and fiction to convey his ideologies. 

• Legacy: Pudhumaipithan is a prominent writer of modern style. He has imprinted his perspectives on modern themes and psychological concepts in Tamil literature. 

Final Thoughts

Tamil novel Writers have played a crucial role in Tamil literature in providing cultural, social, and political writings. It upgrades the landscape of Tamil literature and has brought immense recognition for all the novels. Tamil novel writers have created various epics like Ponniyam Selvan by Kalki and social realism concepts by Jayankanthan. Moreover, their works have transformed many people's lives, identified them, and brought humanity. Are you a person who is still unaware of these Tamil novel writers? Then, it's the right time to read about them and their perspectives. Happy reading!