In an exceptional literary career spanning over half a century and straddling several genres, D Jayakanthan , had written over 40 novels, 200 short stories and 15 collection of essays in Tamil. An iconoclast who ridiculed exploitative social norms, his works reveal a deep and nuanced understanding of the complex problems faced by women, and of the many divides in the society. His first fil, Unnai Pol Oruvan, based on the novel of the same name, has the unique distinction of being the first Tamil film to recieve the President's Award (1965). Jayakanthan won Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 for his novel Sila Neragalil Sila Manithargal, and was conferred the Jnanpith Award in 2002.