Chennai: Melanmai Ponnusamy, a simple farmer who ran a grocery store, and was awarded the Sahitya Akademi award for his short story collection Minsara Poo is no more. Ponnusamy, among the 32 founder members of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Association (TNPWA), passed away in Chennai on Monday morning.
He was 66. This noted Tamil writer is known for capturing the rural life in its pristine form. He is survived by wife Mrs Ponnuthai, son Venmani and two daughters. Ponnusamy was not keeping well for sometime. He died at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital here at 8 am on Monday. He was suffering from diabetes and neurological disorder, it is said. His last rites will be held on Tuesday at 11 am.
His writings were about the lives of the subaltern aimed towards the middle class readers to sensitise them about the hardships and everyday oppression they face in their lives. Born in Mela Marainadu village in Virudhunagar district in the state, Ponnusamy was a farmer by profession and also ran a grocery shop in his village. He was author of many short story collections, novellas, novels and essays. He is a Marxist by political orientation and a member of Communist Party of India (Marxist).
His first short story was published in 1972 in the literary journal Semmalar - CPI-M’s literary publication and over the years his works appeared in several Tamil magazines like Ananda Vikatan and Kalki. He credits Soviet literature as a major influence in his writing style and choice of subjects.
This fifth standard drop out, who was actively involved in party work, described the Sahitya Akademi award, as a recognition for his writings which portrayed the poor who were the victims of society and the State.
Condoling his death, CPI (M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan said Ponnusamy “always took pride in declaring himself as the writer of the CPI (M). His contribution to progressive literature would always be rememberd.”CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan said he was shocked and grieved over the death of "writer and best social thinker" who was attracted to the Marxist policy. He expressed deep condolences on his behalf and also of his party to his wife Mrs. Ponnuthai, and her three children.
