Kalki Krishnamurthy (September 9, 1899-December 5, 1954) was born in Thanjavur district in an orthodox Brahmin family. Initially his name was R. Krishnamurthy. He had his primary education in the village. Thereafter he shifted to Tiruchi to complete his high school education. He participated in the non cooperation movement that was launched by Gandhi. He joined the Indian National Congress. He was highly inspired by Congress leader Chakravarti Rajagopalachari and T.Sadasivam who was to become a life-long friend and partner in journalistic ventures.
He attempted to write fiction first during that period. He became a sub editor in 1923 of Navasakthi, a Tamil periodical. He left it and started helping C. Rajagopalachari in editing Vimochanam. Then he joined Ananda Vikatan, a weekly. Here he made incisive comments on politics, literature, music and other forms of art. In this weekly he wrote under the pen names of "Kalki", "Ra. Ki", "Tamil Theni", "Karnatakam" and many more. Kalki is the tenth Avatar of Lord Vishnu that would bring to an end the Kali Yuga. He wanted to bring about great changes so in honour of his mentor Kalyana Sundaram Mudaliar, taking the "Kal" from his name and the "Ki" from his own.
He left Ananda Vikatan. He and Sadasivam started Kalki, a weekly. For his novel Alai Osai he was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award posthumously.
Works of Kalki Krishnamurthy
* His historical novels are:
* Ponniyin Selvan(1950 - 1955)
* Sivagamiyin Sabadham (1944)
* Parthiban Kanavu (1941)
* Solaimalai Ilavarasi (1947)
His social novels are:
* Kalvanin Kaadhali (1937)
* Thiyaga Bhoomi (1938 - 1939)
* Magudapathi (1942)
* Abalayin kaneer (1947)
* Alai Osai (1948)
* Devagiyin Kanavan (1950)
* Mohini Theevu (1950)
* Poiman Karadu (1951)
* Punnaivanathu Puli (1952)
* Amara Thara (1954)
His short stoires include: Subhathraiyin Sagodharan, Otrai Roja, Theepiditha Kudisaigal, Pudhu Ovarsiyar, Vasdhadhu Venu, Amara Vazhvu, Sunduvin Sanyasam, Thirudan Magan Thirudan, Imayamalai Engal Malai, Pongumaangkadal, Master Medhuvadai, Pushpa Pallaaku, Prabala Nakchatiram, Pithalai Ottiyanam, Arunachalathin Aluval, Parisil Thurai, Susila MA, Kamalavin Kalyanam, Tharkolai, S.S.Menaka, Saradhaiyin Thandhiram, Governor Vijayam, Kanaiyazhiyin Kanavu, Banker Vinayakarao.
He was a film and music critic who wrote under the pseudonym Karnatakam. He composed many songs and lyrics.
