Ashokamitran

Ashokamitran (1931–2017), born Jagadisa Thyagarajan, was one of modern Tamil literature's most influential writers, known for his subtle satire and engrossing portrayal of urban middle-class life. His prolific career spanned over six decades, yielding more than 200 short stories, eight novels, and numerous novellas, essays, and critical writings. He was the honorary editor of the Tamil literary magazine Kanaiyazhi for nearly 25 years. Ashokamitran's work often examines human situations and tendencies with a unique understatement, a rare quality in Indian writing. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1996 for his short story collection Appavin Snegidhar (My Father's Friend) and was also awarded the University of Iowa Creative Writing fellowship twice. His notable works include Thanneer, Manasarovar (மானசரோவர்), and Karainta Nizalkal (கரைந்த நிழல்கள்). Many of his works have been translated into English and other Indian and European languages.