Indira Parthasarathy

Indira Parthasarathy Biography

Indira Parthasarathy is a very popular and versatile writer of Tamil literature. His real name is R. Parthasarathy who writes with the pen name - Indira Parthasarathy. Indira is his wife. He is the only Tamil writer to have won both the Sangeeth Natak and Sahitya Academy Award. He is also a recipient of Padma Shri in 2010 and Saraswathi Samman Award. He is only the second Tamil writer to receive Padma Shri, Jayakanthan being the first. The famous novel - Kuruthi Punal won him Sahitya Academy Award. Aakasa Thamarai, Helicoptergal Keezhe Irangi Vittana, Mayaman Vettai, Theevukal, Yesuvin Thozhargal, Suthanthira Bhoomi and Krishna Krishna are the other major novels written by Parthasarathy. He has also penned some plays including - Uchchi Veyyil, Porvai Porthiya Udalgal, Aurangazeb, Nandan Kathai and Ramanujar.

He was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on July 7, 1930. He was born in a traditional Iyengar family of Chennai. He was brought up in Kumbakonam. His graduation and post-graduation were completed at Annamalai University. He did his doctorate at University of Delhi and thus obtained PhD, based on his research work, ‘Vaisnavism in Tamil between Seventh and Nineth centuries’. During 1950’s, he worked as a Tamil teacher in Madrasi Higher Secondary School, New Delhi. His mastery over Tamil language is indeed remarkable. During 1960’s, he worked as a lecturer in Dyal Singh College of Delhi University.

Since 1963, Parthasarathy has a distinct career of 25 years as an academician. Later he worked at Central Pondicherry University. He organized the school of performing arts and also served as the director of culture in the same university. He has also served as a visiting professor in many international universities.

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Updated: February 28, 2014