Renowned Tamil writer Poomani passes away

• Poomani (born Pulithurai Manickavasagam), a renowned novelist and short story writer of modern Tamil literature, passed away on July 12, 2026, at the age of 79 due to age-related health issues.

• A native of Tamil Nadu, Poomani portrayed rural life, farmers, laborers, marginalized communities, and social inequalities in his literature with great sensitivity and realism.

• His writing not only gave a new direction to Tamil literature but also brought widespread recognition to the struggles of ordinary people.

• Poomani was honored with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his acclaimed novel Agnyaadi.

• This award is a major literary honor presented annually in India for outstanding literary works in various Indian languages.

• The film Asuran (2019), based on his acclaimed work Vekkai, was directed by Vetrimaaran and starred actor Dhanush in the lead role.

• Following the immense success of this film, Poomani's literary works gained greater recognition at the national level.