Speaker
Abilash Chandran
Writer | Literary Critic | Translator
R. Abilash is an accomplished Tamil novelist, literary critic, and translator, known for his profound explorations of contemporary themes in literature. Born in Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari, he holds graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees in English Literature from Scott Christian College, Chennai Christian College, and the University of Madras.
With a literary career spanning over two decades, Abilash has authored four novels, two short story collections, a biography, a poetry collection, and multiple translation works. His acclaimed novel Kaalkal (2012) won the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar (2014) and the Bhasha Parishad Award (2016). His latest work, Nizhal Bommai (2025), further cements his reputation as a master of storytelling. As a translator, he has brought Tamil poetry and fiction to a global audience, including works by Manushya Puthiran and G. Nagarajan.
His literary contributions extend to The Hindu Tamil, Uyirmmai, Amirtha, Femina Tamil, and various other magazines. He is also recognized for his work in English language education and cinema studies, having written extensively on 90s Tamil cinema and English learning techniques.
Sessions
Day 2 - 15th March, Saturday @ The Nilgiri Library Outdoor
04:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Join R. Abilash in conversation with Dilip Kumar as they unpack the craft of storytelling, exploring the creative process behind Nizhal Bommai and the art of shaping narratives that resonate across time and culture.