Jayakanthan
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, where he joined the Communist Party of India. 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 | |
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Jayakanthan in 2012 | |
| Born | 24 April 1934 Cuddalore, South Arcot District, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Died | 8 April 2015 (aged 80) Chennai, India |
| Occupation | Novelist, short story writer, screenplay writer, film director |
| Language | Tamil |
| Notable awards | Padma Bhusan, Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi Award, Order of Friendship |
Jayakanthan's literary honours include Jnanpith and Sahitya Akademi 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).