Kalki Krishnamurthy

Krishnamurthy‘s writings include over 120 short stories, 10 novellas, 5 novels, 3 historical romances, editorial and political writings and hundreds of film and music reviews.

• Name — Kalki Krishnamurthy • Pen Name — Kalki • Birth Name — Ramasamy Iyer Krishnamurthy • Born — 9 September 1899 • Birthplace — Puthamangalam, Tanjore District, Madras Presidency, British India (now in Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu, India) • Died — 5 December 1954 • Place of death — Madras, Madras State (now Chennai, Tamil Nadu), India • Occupation — Journalist, critic and writer • Education — Municipal High School, Mayiladuthurai & National High School, Tiruchi • Period — 1899–1954 • Genre — Historical fiction, social novels • Notable Works — Ponniyin Selvan, Sivagamiyin Sapatham, Thyaga Bhoomi, Parthiban Kanavu, Alai Osai, Kalvanin Kadhali • Spouse — Rukmani • Children — 2 • Awards — Sahitya Akademi Award for Alai Osai

Ramaswamy Krishnamurthy was born into a Poor Tamil Brahmin Iyer family on 9 September 1899 in Puthamangalam, near Manalmedu, in the Mayiladuthurai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Krishnamurthy's father was Ramaswamy Aiyar, an accountant in Puttamangalam village in the old Tanjore district of erstwhile Madras Presidency. He began his primary education in his village school and later attended Municipal High School in Mayiladuthurai but quit in 1921, just short of completion of his Senior School Leaving Certificate, in response to Mahatma Gandhi's 1921 call for non-co-operation joining the Indian National Congress instead. His son Kalki Rajendran, married to Sadasivam's daughter Vijaya. Krishnamurthy's daughter Anandi was married to Sadasivam's nephew (sister's son) Ramachandran, known as Ambi in music circles. Anandi's daughter Gowri Ramanarayanan was a music critic for The Hindu newspaper, and she also learned music under M.S Subbulakshmi.

Krishnamurthy started writing fiction stories in Navaskthi in 1923 where he worked as a sub editor. He was working under the tutelage of Thiru Vi Ka when he published his first book(Kalvanin Kadhali)in 1937. He started working with C Rajagopalachari in Thiruchengode in Gandhi Ashram. He published Vimochanam along with Rajaji, a journal propagating liquor prohibition. He was working in freedom struggle and during 1931, he was jailed for six months. He joined Ananda Vikatan, a popular Tamil magazine along with editor S S Vasan. He became very popular as a critic, witty author, political commentator and short story writer. He wrote under various pen names like "Kalki", "Ra. Ki", "Tamil Theni" and "Karnatkam". He left Ananda Vikatan and joined freedom struggle in 1941. On his release, he and Sadasivam started a weekly named Kalki. He was the editor in the journal till his death on 5 December 1954.

• Serial — Name — Setting • 1 — Sivagamiyin Sapatham (1 January 1944 – 30 June 1946) — Pallava Dynasty • 2 — Parthiban Kanavu (16 October 1941 – 10 February 1943) • 3 — Ponniyin Selvan (29 October 1950 – 16 May 1954) — Chola Dynasty • Solaimalai Ilavarasi (1947) — The Independence of India

• Kalvanin Kadhali (1937) • Thyaga Bhoomi (1938–1939) • Magudapathi (1942) • Abalayin kaneer (1947) • Alai Osai (1948) • Devagiyin Kanavan (1950) • Mohini Theevu (1950) • Poiman Karadu (1951) • Punnaivanathu Puli (1952) • Amara Thara (1954)

• Serial — Name — Comments • 1 — Subhathraiyin Sagodharan — The story revolves around a young man and woman who meet on a train journey from Tirunelveli to Chennai and initially plan to end their lives due to personal failures. However, their encounter takes a different turn, leading to a positive resolution. Kalki's writing style is praised for its wit, incisive commentary on various aspects of life, and ability to weave historical and fictional elements together. • 2 — Otrai Roja — This story is about two strangers – a young man and a young woman – who meet on a train from Tirunelveli to Chennai. The woman is originally from Sri Lanka and the man is from Madras (now Chennai). They have failed in their respective exams and plan to end their life. Things take a different turn from here and all ends well. • 3 — Theepiditha Kudisaigal — two individuals, a young man and woman, who meet on a train from Tirunelveli to Chennai. Both are contemplating suicide after failing their exams. Their meeting takes an unexpected turn, and the story concludes with a positive outcome. The narrative is known for its social commentary, particularly on themes of literacy, women's empowerment, and education. • 4 — Pudhu Ovarsiyar • 5 — Vasdhadhu Venu • 6 — Amara Vazhvu • 7 — Sunduvin Sanyasam • 8 — Thirudan Magan Thirudan • 9 — Imayamalai Engal Malai • 10 — Pongumaangkadal • 11 — Master Medhuvadai — Collection of 5 short stories • 12 — Pushpa Pallaaku • 13 — Prabala Nakchatiram • 14 — Pithalai Ottiyanam • 15 — Arunachalathin Aluval • 16 — Parisil Thurai • 17 — Susila MA • 18 — Kamalavin Kalyanam • 19 — Tharkolai • 20 — S.S.Menaka • 21 — Saradhaiyin Thandhiram • 22 — Governor Vijayam • 23 — Kanaiyazhiyin Kanavu • 24 — Banker Vinayakarao • 25 — Tiger King — The story revolves around a King whose death at the hands of a tiger had been foretold by astrologers when he was born. He tries to reverse the fate spelled out for him and the author uses thinly veiled satire to walk the reader through the King's attempts which later prove futile, in a manner that makes them laugh. • 26 — Punnaivanthupuli • 27 — Devakiyin kanavan • 28 — onbathu kulinilam • 29 — number 888 • 30 — Thiruvazhundhur sivakozhundhu • 31 — Zamindar Mahan • 32 — Mayilak kalai • 33 — Rnagathurkam Raja • 34 — Idintha kottai • 35 — Mayilvizhi maan • 36 — Thappili cup • 37 — Kethariyin Thaayar • 38 — Gandhimadhiyin kadalan • 39 — Srikandhan punarjenmam • 40 — Paladaindha Bangala • 41 — Chandramathi • 42 — Chiranjeevi kadhai • 43 — Kadithamum kaneerum • 44 — Vaira mothiram(Kaanama pogaathathu) • 45 — Veenai Bavani • 46 — Dhanakodiyin Manoratham

Krishnamurthy was also a film and music critic, writing under the pseudonym "Karnatkam". He also penned lyrics for many songs, most of which were adapted into Carnatic Music.

Krishnamurthy died in Chennai on 5 December 1954 aged 55 years from tuberculosis. Kalki magazine's special issue for Annai Sarada Devi, dated the day Krishnamurthy died, was his last editorial work. The magazine shared the information that his health was improving prior to his demise.

• Ponniyin Puthalvar by Sunda • Amarar Kalki • Oray Roja