KA Gunasekaren, folk artiste and former professor at Pondicherry University, breathed his last at his residence in Pudhucherry on Sunday. He was 60, and is survived by his wife and two sons. He had underwent a kidney surgery recently.
Recommended
Born in Elayankudi, Gunasekaren is considered to be the first Dalit playwright in Tamil Nadu. His first play , Baliyaadgal, was staged in 1981. He served as the dean of the School of Performing Arts at Pondicherry University and also as the director of International Institute of Tamil Studies. His popular plays include Sathya Sothanai , Thodu, Mazhi, Maatram, Varaivu Kadavuthal , and Kanthan Valli. A Marxist, Gunasekaren’s songs and plays spoke for Dalits and marginalised communities. A published author, he has penned over two dozen books, and owned a theatre company named Thannane.