The greatest of all Tamil novelists PV Akhilandam received India’s highest literary award, the Gyanpith Award, for his work Chittarpave (Chitrapriya in Hindi). He wrote over four dozen books and received the Sahitya Akademi, Soviet Land Nehru and other awards. He took active part in the freedom struggle and went to jail several times. He worked in the postal department and later in All India Radio as a producer.
Apart from writing stories and novels, Akhilan also wrote plays, essays and children’s literature. Some of his works have also been made into movies. He wrote against social injustice in society. He led his life the Gandhian way.
The works of Akhilan like Enge Pogirom (“Where do we go?”), Betri Tirunagar (“Vijaynagar”), Kayal Vishi, Airimalai (“Volcano”) and Pavaivillakku are popular. Enge Pogirom depicts the social, economic and political problems of the 6th century. The protagonist is an educated prostitute. Betri Tirunagar and Kayal Vishi are historical novels. Pavaivillakku is an autobiographical novel.