Kalki Krishnamurthy
Ramaswamy Krishnamurthy, better known by his pen name Kalki, was an Indian writer, journalist, poet, critic and Indian independence activist. He was named after "Kalki", the tenth and last avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu. His writings include over 120 short stories, 10 novellas, 5 novels, 3 historical romances, editorial and political writings and hundreds of film and music reviews.
Early life
Krishnamurthy's father was Ramaswamy Aiyar, an accountant in Puttamangalam village in the old Tanjore district of erstwhile Madras Presidency. He began his primary education in his village school and later attended Municipal High School in Mayavaram but quit in 1921, just short of completion of his Senior School Leaving Certificate, in response to Mahatma Gandhi's 1921 call for non-co-operation joining the Indian National Congress instead.Historical novels
Social novels (Tamil)
- Kalvaninn Kaadhali
- Thiyaga Bhoomi
- Magudapathi
- Abalayin kaneer
- Alai Osai
- Devagiyin Kanavan
- Mohini Theevu
- Poiman Karadu
- Punnaivanathu Puli
- Amara Thara
Short stories
| Serial | Name | Comments |
| 1 | Subhathraiyin Sagodharan | |
| 2 | Otrai Roja | This story is about two strangers – a young man and a young woman – who meet on a train from Tirunelveli to Chennai. The woman is originally from Sri Lanka and the man is from Madras. They have failed in their respective exams and plan to end their life. Things take a different turn from here and all ends well. |
| 3 | Theepiditha Kudisaigal | |
| 4 | Pudhu Ovarsiyar | |
| 5 | Vasdhadhu Venu | |
| 6 | Amara Vazhvu | |
| 7 | Sunduvin Sanyasam | |
| 8 | Thirudan Magan Thirudan | |
| 9 | Imayamalai Engal Malai | |
| 10 | Pongumaangkadal | |
| 11 | Master Medhuvadai | Collection of 5 short stories |
| 12 | Pushpa Pallaaku | |
| 13 | Prabala Nakchatiram | |
| 14 | Pithalai Ottiyanam | |
| 15 | Arunachalathin Aluval | |
| 16 | Parisil Thurai | |
| 17 | Susila MA | |
| 18 | Kamalavin Kalyanam | |
| 19 | Tharkolai | |
| 20 | S.S.Menaka | |
| 21 | Saradhaiyin Thandhiram | |
| 22 | Governor Vijayam | |
| 23 | Kanaiyazhiyin Kanavu | |
| 24 | Banker Vinayakarao | |
| 25 | Tiger King | The story revolves around a King whose death at the hands of a tiger had been foretold by astrologers when he was born. He tries to reverse the fate spelled out for him and the author uses thinly-veiled satire to walk the reader through the King's attempts which later prove futile, in a manner that makes them laugh. |
| 26 | Punnaivanthupuli | |
| 27 | Devakiyin kanavan | |
| 28 | onbathu kulinilam | |
| 29 | number 888 | |
| 30 | Thiruvazhundhur sivakozhundhu | |
| 31 | Zamindar Mahan | |
| 32 | Mayilak kalai | |
| 33 | Rnagathurkam Raja | |
| 34 | Idintha kottai | |
| 35 | Mayilvizhi maan | |
| 36 | Thappili cup | |
| 37 | Kethariyin Thaayar | |
| 38 | Gandhimadhiyin kadalan | |
| 39 | Srikandhan punarjenmam | |
| 40 | Paladaindha Bangala | |
| 41 | Chandramathi | |
| 42 | Chiranjeevi kadhai | |
| 43 | Kadithamum kaneerum | |
| 44 | Vaira mothiram | |
| 45 | Veenai Bavani | |
| 46 | Dhanakodiyin Manoratham |
Critical work
Kalki was also a film and music critic who wrote under the pseudonym Karnatakam. He also penned many lyrics for many songs, most of which were adapted into Carnatic Music.Honours
- The release of a postage stamp in honour of Kalki was among the highlights of the centenary celebrations. Government of Tamil Nadu announced the nationalisation of Kalki's works, this will enable publishers to come out with reprints of his works.
- Kalki Krishnamuthy received the Sangeetha Kalasikhamani award conferred on him by The Indian Fine Arts Society in 1953.
Death
Biographies of Kalki
- Ponniyin Puthalvar by Sunda
- Amarar Kalki
- Oray Roja