D Jayakanthan (1934–2015) had an exceptional literary career spanning over three quarters of a century and across several genres. He wrote over 40 novels, 200 short stories and 15 collections of essays in Tamil. An iconoclast who challenged exploitative social norms, his works reveal a deep and nuanced understanding of the complex issues faced by women, as well as many divisions within society.

His first film, Unnai Pol Oruvan, based on his novel of the same name, holds the unique distinction of being the first Tamil film to receive the President’s Award (1965). Jayakanthan was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 for his novel Sila Neragalil Sila Manithargal, and the Jnanpith Award in 2002. He passed away in 2015.