Tamil writer Ambai wins Sahitya Akademi award

COIMBATORE: Noted Tamil writer C S Lakshmi, better known by her pseudonym Ambai, has won the Sahitya Akademi award this year for her short story collection 'Sivappu kazhuthudan oru pachai paravai' (A green bird with red neck). "I'm glad that Sahitya Akademi has chosen my work for the award," Ambai told TOI. "This is a huge recognition for my work," she said. Born in Coimbatore, the 77-year-old author lives in Mumbai. An academician and researcher, she has been writing since 1962 when she was 19-year-old. She won wide acclaim for her works 'Kaatil oru maan' and 'Siragugal muriyum veettin moolayil oru samayalarai.' She has won several awards, including the lifetime achievement award instituted by the Canada-based Tamil literary forum. Ambai also founded the Sound and Picture Archives for Research on Women (Sparrow), a forum for promoting works of women writers. Sparrow has published a number of books on women artists and writers. "I liked my short story collection 'Sivappu kazhuthudan oru pachai paravai' but did not anticipate the award," said Ambai. In his congratulatory message, chief minister M K Stalin said a woman writer has won the award after a long time. "This will encourage more women to write," he said. Stalin congratulated poet M Murugesh as well for winning the Bala Sahitya Puraskar award from Sahitya Akademi for his work 'Ammavukku magal sonna ulagin muthal kathai.' "Let the award for Murugesh encourage more literary works for children," he said. Congratulatory messages poured in from politicians, writers and film personalities for Ambai and Murugesh. "The recognition for Ambai and Murugesh gives immense happiness," said AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran.