Ashokamitran (85), an eminent Indian writer and a short story specialist passed away yesterday (23 March 2017) after a brief illness due to Asthma. He was survived by his wife Rajeshwari Thyagarajan and three sons.
Born in Secunderabad on 22 September 1931, His real name was Jagadisa Thyagarajan. When his father died in 1952, he moved to Chennai upon an invitation by his father’s friend, S. S. Vasan to work on his film production company, Gemini Studios. He later wrote his experience working with S. S. Vasan and Gemini Studios on Illustrated Weekly of India Columns, which was compiled to book named “Fourteen Years with Boss” or “My Years with Boss”.
He became a full-time writer from 1966 with more than 200 short stories, 8 Novels and around a dozen Novellas with his pen name Ashokamitran. He perfected the art of short story writing. In an interview he mentioned that Short story writing is more difficult than writing a Novel. He was an Editor of the Literary Journal Kanaiyaazhi. Since he lived both in Secunderabad and in Chennai, most of his stories will have these two cities backdrops. He also translated many stories to English.
His short story collection Appavin Snehidhar won Sahitya Akademi Award in 1996. Some of his other important works were:
- My Years with Boss
- The Ghosts of Meenambakkam
- Still Bleeding from the Wound
- Nadagathin Mudivu
- Vaazhvilae Oru Murai
- Kaalamum Ainthu Kuzhanthaigalum
- Prayaanam
- Thanneer (Adapted to film by Director Vasanth)
- Inru (Translated to English as Today)
- Manasarovar (Translated to English as Manasarover)
- Ottran
- Aagaya Thamarai
- Viduthalai
- Anbin Parisu
- Pathinettavadhu Atchakodu (Translated to English as The Eighteenth Parallel)
- Karaintha Nizhalgal (Translated to English as Star Crossed)
Following are the list of Honours & Awards he received:
- 1977 & 1984 – Ilakkiya Sindhanai Award.
- 1992 – Lilly Memorial Prize.
- 1993 – Ramakrishna Jaidayal Harmony Award
- 1996 – Akshara Award
- 1996 – Sahitya Akademi Award
- 2007 – MGR Award
- 2012 – NTR National Literary Award.
- 2013 – Ka, Na, Su Award
- 2013 – Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Award
- Government of Tamil Nadu Award Thrice.
- Fellowship of K. K. Birla & University of Iowa (1973-74)
He had a unique writing style which will surely influence upcoming writers and continue to live on to eternity with his colossal works.