Chennai: Feminist Tamil writer Rajam Krishnan, 89, breathed her last at a private hospital in the city on Monday night. She died of age-related ailments. Rajam had pledged to donate her body to Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, where she stayed for more than five years.
Born in Tiruchy, she began publishing her writings in her 20s. Sahitya Akademi Award winner Rajam had written more than 100 short stories and 80 novels that portrayed the lives of poor farmers, jungle dacoits and under-trial prisoners amongst other issues.
She won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1973 for her novel Verukku Neer, and in 2009, the state government made an exception to the rule that only works of deceased authors should be nationalised. Based on her request, her works were nationalised for Rs 3 lakh.
Sources at the Ramachandra hospital said even after the announcement of nationalisation of her works, the veteran writer refused to meet the media. She always maintained a low profile and felt her works were not given due recognition, said sources. Before being admitted to the hospital, Rajam was an inmate of Vishranthi home for the aged in Palavakkam, which she considered her home for three years. Manjula, who works at the old age home, recalled the days she had spent with the veteran.
“We had seen her only with a pen and a notebook. She wrote many poems, especially on Savithri Vaithi, founder of Vishranthi. We used to read all of her poems after our morning prayers,” she said, adding that the writer felt very lonely and that she would often be seen crying in her room. “Her relatives used to call and speak to Rajam amma on the phone. She always advised me to be bold and that women should always be strong,” she recalled.
CPM state secretary G. Ramakrishnan in his statement has condoled the death of the progressive writer. “She got married at the age of 15 and her husband Krishnan encouraged her to write stories. Rajam started writing at the age of 16,” he said. CPI national council member R. Nallakannu also condoled the writer’s death.
