Perumal Murugan

Perumal Murugan is an award-winning Indian novelist, short story writer, and academic whose works portray the social fabric, traditions, and struggles of rural Tamil Nadu. Writing in Tamil and translated worldwide, he is known for his candid explorations of caste, gender, love, and identity. His acclaimed novel One Part Woman (Madhorubhagan) sparked national debate for its portrayal of a childless couple constrained by societal norms. Other notable works include Pyre, a powerful tale of intercaste love and violence; Poonachi, a modern fable on freedom and survival; and Rising Heat, Trial by Silence, and A Lonely Harvest. Murugan’s lyrical yet unflinching storytelling bridges the local and the universal, earning him international recognition, including a 2023 International Booker Prize shortlist for Pyre.