Veteran Tamil writer passes away

Chennai, Nov 10 (UNI) Veteran Tamil writer and Sahitya Academy award winner Vallikannan died here last night after a brief illness.

He was 86. A bachelor, Vallikannan, who had authored more than 75 books, was admitted to a private hospital four days ago after he was struck with pneumonia. He died in the hospital last night.

Vallikannan was a receipeint of the prestigious Sahitya Academy award for his popular book ''Pudukavithain Thortamum Valarchiyum'' (The orgin and growth of Modern poetry) in 1978.

He had a long association with ''Thamarai'', a literary magazine.

''Ninaivu Saram'', ''Alaimodhum Kadalorathil'', ''Amara Thevan'' , ''Mannikka Therindavar'' were some of his other popular works.

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