# Lakshmi (writer)

Thiripurasundari Srinivasan (21 March 1921 – 7 January 1987), better known by her pen name Lakshmi, was an Indian writer from Tamil Nadu.

## Biography

Thiripurasundari was born in Thottiyam, Tamil Nadu. Her parents were Dr. Srinivasan and Pattammal (Sivakami). She was educated at Thottiyam, Musiri, and Holy Cross School. She studied at Stanley Medical College and became a medical doctor. She began publishing short stories in Ananda Vikatan while still in college. She used "Lakshmi" as her pen name. Her first short story, Thagunda thandanaya? (lit. An apt punishment?) was published in March, 1940. Her first novel to be published was Bhavani. After completing her medical education, she practiced in Chennai. She married Kannabiran in 1955 and moved to South Africa, where she lived for the next twenty-two years. Her husband died in 1966. She returned to India in 1977 and took up full-time writing. She died in 1987.
Thiripurasundari was a prolific writer who has published hundreds of short stories and novels. Her novels Penn manam and Mithila Vilas were awarded the Tamil Valarchi Kazhagam price. In 1984, she was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil for her novel Oru Kaveriyai pola (lit. Like the River Kaveri). Her Kanchanaiyin Kanavu and Penn Manam and sooryakandham, two of her best works, were made into Tamil films - Kanchana(1952) and Iruvar Ullam (1963). Most of her work was based on family issues.
Her autobiographical books were published in two volumes, titled Kadhaasiriyaiyin Kadhai. In 2009, when the Government of Tamil Nadu offered to nationalise her works, her legal heirs refused the offer.

## Partial bibliography

In her writing career, Lakshmi has published over 1000 short stories and over 150 novels. Some of her novels include
* Adhisiya Raagam
* Adutha Veedu
* Arakku Maaligai
* Asoka maram pookavillai
* Aththai
* Aval oru Thendral
* Aval Thayagiral
* Avalukkendru oru idam
* Azhagin Aradhanai
* Bhavani
* En manaivi
* En veedu
* Gangaiyum Vandhal
* Irandaavadhu malar
* Irandaavadhu thenilavu
* Indrum naalayum
* Iniya unarvae ennai kolladhae
* Irandu pengal
* Irulil tholaindha unmai
* Ivala en magal
* Ivanum oru parasuraman
* Jeyanthi Vandhaal
* Kaaliyin kangal
* Kadaisi varai
* Kadhaasiriyaiyin Kadhai 1
* Kadhaasiriyaiyin Kadhai 2
* Kadhavu Thirandaal
* Kai maariya podhu
* Kanavan amaivedhallam
* Kashmi kathi
* Kodai megangal
* Koondukullae oru pachchai kili
* Kooramal sanniyasam
* Kazhuthil vizhundha maalai
* Maragadham
* Manam oru ranga rattinam
* Mann kudhirai
* Mannum pennum
* Maru magal
* Marupadiyuma?
* Mayamaan
* Meendum vasandham
* Meendum oru seethai
* Meendum pirandhaalin
* Meendum penn manam
* Mithilaa vilaas
* Mohini vanthaal
* Murugan sirithaan
* Mogathirai
* My name is T.G.Karthik
* Nadhi moolam
* Nalladhor veenai
* Nayakkar magal
* Nirka Neramillai
* Nyayangal marumpodhu
* Nigazhdha kadhaigal
* Neela pudavai
* Needhikku kaigal neelam
* Ooonrukol
* Oru Kaveriyai pola
* Oru Sivappu pachayagiradhu
* Pannayar magal
* Pavalamalli
* Punidha oru pudhir
* Pudhai manal
* Peyar solla maatten
* Penn manam
* Pennin parisu
* Radhaavin thirumanam
* Rama Rajyam
* Roja vairam
* Srimathi maithili
* Sasiyin kadidhangal
* Thirumbi paarthal
* Thunai
* Thai pirakattum
* Thottathu veedu
* Uravugal pirivathillai
* Uyarvu
* Uravin kural
* Uyire odivaa
* Vanitha
* Vasanthikku vandha aasai
* Vadakke oru sandhippu
* Vaazha ninaithaal
* Veerathevan kottai
* Velicham vandhadhu
* Vellai nirathiloru poonai

## Awards and recognitions

* Tamil Valarchi Kazhagam award for Penn manam and Mithila Vilas
* Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil in 1984