Tamil writer and Sahitya Akademi award-winner Melanmai Ponnusamy, who captured the lives of the marginalised people in the semi-arid regions ( Karisal Bhoomi ) of southern Tamil Nadu with authenticity and poignancy, passed away on Monday. He was 66.
He won the Sahitya Akademi award in 2008 for his short story collection, Minsara poo . He had published 22 short story collections, six novels, six novellas and a collection of essays. His first short story was published in Semmalar , the literary magazine of the Communist Part of India (Marxist).
A school drop-out, he studied only up to Class V.
A native of Melanmarainadu in Virudhunagar district, Mr. Ponnusamy was a full-time writer and was actively involved in party work. He earned a livelihood by working as a farmer and running a provisions store in his village.
On winning the Sahitya Akademi award, he had said it was a recognition of his writings, which portrayed the poor, who, according to him, were the victims of society and the State.
Soviet influence
He was greatly influenced by Soviet literature, and his writings were underpinned by the value of human relations even in the face of adversity.
Recalling her days of working with him, writer and theatre personality Mangai said, “In Tamil literature, from writing in small magazines to more popular ones like Kalki and Ananda Vikatan , Melanmai Ponnusamy was a pioneer in that shift.”
“But he made it clear that he was not going to compromise on what and how he was going to communicate, both in terms of style and content,” Mangai said, adding that Mr. Ponnusamy was an unassuming man, who could identify himself with commoners of all age groups.
CPI (M) condoles death
Condoling his death, the State secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) G. Ramakrishnan, noted that Mr. Ponnusamy was one of the founding members of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Association and had functioned as the organisation’s president, adding that he was also part of the editorial board of Semmalar .
“He always took pride in declaring himself as the writer of the CPI (M). His contribution to progressive literature would always be remembered,” said Mr. Ramakrishnan.
Mr. Ponnusamy had also won the Ilakkiya Chinthanai award, the Adithanar award and the Tamil Nadu State Government’s award.
