T. K. Doraiswamy

T. K. Doraiswamy Biography

T. K. Doraiswamy, known by the pseudonym Nakulan was an Indian writer and professor belonging to Tamil language. He wrote poems, novels, short stories etc in Tamil as well as English. An academic he served as Professor of English at Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram for four decades. He also earned fame as a translator. Ninaivup Patai Nilakal (1972) and Words of the Wind (1973) are his most famous works. He received the Asan Memorial Award for Tamil Poetry in 1983. He wrote in English using his real name, while he used pen name for his Tamil works. He lived during the period, 21 August 1921 – 17 May 2007.

T. K. Doraiswamy hailed from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. He was born on 21 August 1921. His education was completed in educational institutions affiliated to Kerala University and Annamalai University. Though he was born in Tamil Nadu, he moved to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala at the age of 14, where he spent his entire life. Yet he took MA in Tamil from Annamalai University. He completed M.A. in English from University of Kerala, followed by M. Phil in Literature on Virginia Woolf's work. He resided at Kowdiar then, where he got acquainted with many golf players and got influenced by their poetry talents and interests.

Doraiswamy had a late entry to the literal world. In fact he got active in writing field only in his 40s when his friend Kaa Naa Subramoniam encouraged him in writings. His poetry works in English were well received by his students at Mar Ivanios College, where he was a professor. Nizhalgal, Naykal, Naveenante Diary Kurippukal, Ezhuthu Kavithaikal, Iruneenda Kavithaikal, Antha Manchal Nira Poonaikutty etc are some of his major works in Tamil. He passed away on 17 May 2007 at Thiruvananthapuram aged 85.

Published: September 08, 2018

Updated: September 08, 2018