Jayakanthan
Dhandapani Jeyakanthan, otherwise known as 'JK' among his friends and comrades, is a multi-dimensional personality, well known in the literary circle as a prolific writer, commentator, pamphleteer, film-maker and critic. He has won acclaim for wielding his pen against social injustices and economic inequality. Jeyakanthan was born in a family of agriculturists in Manjakuppam, a suburb of Cuddalore 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. Jeyakanthan dropped himself out of school after completing fifth grade, as he thought studies would hinder his political activism.
In 1946, he left for 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 (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, Jeyakanthan 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 focused on the plight of slum-dwellers who were settled in and around the party office.
Jeyakanthan was married to his cousin. The couple had two daughters and a son. Jeyakanthan wrote his first short story for a Tamil magazine titled Sowbakiyavathi, which got it published in 1953. Following early success, Jeyakanthan 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.
His writings reflect his views on the morals, ethics and the societal norms as a whole. His writings are vivid portrayals of life and relationships, with all the intricacies and beauty of reality, and with a profound love for humanity. He is one among the few of the original writers of the Tamil Literature. He is a man of insight, pride and scholarship whose writings expressed with unparalleled courage and utmost honesty speaks for all the generations to come. A winner of Sahitya Acadamy Award and Fellowship, Jnanpita Award, Soviet Land Nehru Award, the Russian Federation's Order of Friendship and the Padma Bhushan.
“The writer should have a comprehensive outlook. He should aim at a holistic understanding of the prevailing social, political and economic conditions.He should evaluate all factors in a balanced way. To take a selective view will be erroneous. A realistic approach becomes necessary. This requires healthy literary criticism and exchange of views.A writer should necessarily venture into his enterprise by touching on a single issue. But then he should relate it to other socially relevant issues. This is what we call the socio-spiritual approach.You may begin your work dwelling upon the problems of an individual, but then as a writer you should be able to view it as part of the larger social reality.”