Sahitya Akademi Awardee Tamil Writer Poomani Passes Away at 79

Renowned Tamil writer Poomani - the pen name of Poolithurai Manickavasagam - passed away on 12 July 2026 at the age of 79 due to age-related illness in Chennai. Born in 1947 at Andipatti near Kovilpatti (Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu), he was one of the most significant voices in Tamil literature, chronicling the lives of people in the state's dryland (karisal) regions. He won the Sahitya Akademi Award (2014) for his novel Anjaadi (Agnaadi), and his novel Vekkai was adapted into the acclaimed 2019 film Asuran (directed by Vetrimaaran, starring Dhanush). Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced state honours for his final rites. His novel 'Vekkai' inspired the National Award-winning film 'Asuran'.