Best Tamil Novels Since 1950

List of the greatest Tamil novels in the last 60 years which are either acclaimed by critics and/or reached a wide audience.
The Top Ten
1 Ponniyin Selvan by Kalki

Just as how people consider godfather to be the best English movie released so far, ponniying selvan is the best novel released so far. has no parallel, best in all languages. Hats off to kalki. I have read almost all best sellers in English but I consider ponniyin selvan to be the best and it is evergreen, it is so because of the storyline, screen play and most important of all, the wide array of characters. My favorite is vandhiyadevan, alwar kadiyan and pinakapani.

First Historical novel, which drag me to the Tamil novel reading world. It is rated one of my best, which I have completed at my age of 13, along with many Sandilyan's novels.

Easily the best. Revered by people across generations. Kalki with his enormous talent mesmerizes the reader with an outstanding story

It is one of best masterpiece of kalki. I just wonder to read the book for its characters and the plot of the novel. Thaks to kalki for giving this wonderful book to Tamil literature.

2 Oru Manidhan Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam by Jeyakanthan

Jeyakanthan awakened the social consciousness of Tamil public with his incisive writings and this book is rated by critic as his best. A story applicable for all times raising fundamental questions about life.

Best novel I had ever read..Henry the man who inspired us to love, share, felt small things in the village and told how a man give meaningful to his life and live..Extraordinary story telling..

The narration and characterisation by kalki was just awesome and I assure you that this novel can make you awake everynight by bringing you the ancient cherishing chola kingdom...

This novel is full of positivity..its almost impossible to make a fiction without love,sex and any negative but J K made that possible through this...some may feel boring but for me oney all time favorite

3 Moga Mul by Thi.Janakiraman

The author known for his treatment of finer human emotions paints a very sensitive story..

It is the only one full novel (of its kind) written in Tamil. No other fiction can match this novel.

Beauty, all the characters are live with us for a week at least - ravi

Moga mul is the best...

4 Cheramaan Kadhali by Kannadasan

Only historical novel from this great poet. A rare novel talking about the Chera kings. This book won the Sahitya Academy award

Very good writers very good novel

Unbeatable legendary

5 Pirivom Sandhippom by Sujatha

Sujatha ia a master story teller writing in many genres - this is considered his best by his fans

Best love story in Tamil I ever read... author shows the dif bet relationshps in India and us... the innocent boy lead got my eyes cried.

What a love story...i'm damn sure u will love the character of boy lead and girl lead

Made me cry even I don't know what is love on those days...

6 Kallikaattu Ithihaasam by Vairamuthu

In this ithihaasam you can breath the kallikaattu air, you can smell the village, you can know the culture of village, mindset of village peoples, wet eye climax, really great great great...,

Superb writing by legend vairamuthu sir

No words to explain, He is legend

7 Oru Puliyamarathin Kadhai by Sundara Ramaswamy

Didn't reach a wide audience but rated by almost all critic and pundits as one of the greatest novels ever. The author introduced a totally new writing style

8 Chitthira Pavai by Akilan

The best social novel I ever read; unpredictable climax; nice message to society

Popular book. Specifically mentioned in The Bharathiya Gnanpith Award citation to the author

Akilan novels are really best always. Vengayin maindhan and Vetri tirunagar are his another great contribution

9 Kurinji Malar by Na.Parthasarathi

First I respect to sir parthsarathy for making kurinji malar, first time I read this novel and I feel the breath of heart and one day again took the book for reading I felt anxiety and some unexplained feelings. its un believable.

Idealistic. Such novels don't come easily

10 Yavana Rani by Sandilyan

The novel is based on the early problems faced by Chola emperor Karikalan alias Thirumavalavan and his victory over velir chieftains, Pandyan king and Chera king at Venni paranthalai. The author personified the characters in the novel and made us to get impressed with the characters and places of this novel.
Such a wonderful novel by Sandilyan.

I and my mother, sister, brother, friends read this novel. It is very interesting. Another most Read Novel is Kadal Pura.

Master of historical novels and this is one of the most loved books of his

This is best novel. I feel that it does not got a correct place in this poll

The Contenders
11 Kadal Pura by Sandilyan

Great novel...I totally disagree with the placement given to this book

First novel which took me to this world of fantasy...

It was the great story of karunakara pallavan...I travelled with the ship of kadal pura...

12 Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal by Jayakanthan

Nice novel personalities changes with time... ,

"Maatram ondre Maaradhadhu" This is the baseline of the novel.. It has an eye-wetting, unexpected climax.. Must read novel

Sila nerangalil sila manithargal

13 Washingtonil Thirumanam by Saavi

I read this novel when I was a child and I still remember it. That itself speaks about the novel!

Very few books in the humor genre and this is a classic..

I read this book when I was in 3rd or 4th class still remember the base line

Best humorous and rememberable novel

14 Udayar by Balakumaran

Good novel about great legend. one of the wonderful novel I ever read.

I give 10 out 10 for this novel, the best novel. All people should read.

Hats of to the poet

Very good novel

15 Gangai Konda Cholan by Balakumaran

Like udaiyar bk sirs another historical novel very good to read

16 Karuvachi Kaviyam by Vairamuthu

Its all about common village girl Karuvachi, awesome writing by legend vairamuthu

17 Thanneer Desam by Vairamuthu

It gives me the fantastic experience like I live in that boat.Rare Information about sea adds the special taste.

Thanneer Desam is Awesome book which is next to Ponniyin Selvan in my mind.
Hats of to Vairamuthu sir for writing such a great book.
I just read the first page when browsing books in book store,got impressed and bought.
Read it whole night in one go.
Tamil ah Rasika therunjavanga read panna vaendiya book.

18 Thiruvarangan Ulla Bysrivenugopalan

Must read novel and excellent use of words.

It is wonderful Novel.

19 Mannan Mahal by Sandilyan

I read it 15 years age. All Sandilyan stories are very interesting

Very much excited and one of the best novel by sandilyan...

A great novel with greatest twists

20 Moondram Ulaga Por by Vairamuthu

It's the book you can get to know the village culture, people with world science, politics and economy.
None other than legend vairamuthu did a great job again.
Hat's off to you sir...

It is such a great book

I like this
i also write one long travel live novel in my real story

21 Amma Vandhaal by Thi Janakiraman

Book beyond it times! Naked truth

22 Yenge Yen Kannan by Indira Soundarajan

Very Good Story written by the author. While reading this book, I felt very very emotional. I suggest any one need of reading good tamil novels it is not to be missed out.

23 Aram by Jeyamohan
24 Sivagamiyin Sapatham by Kalki

It It is one of the historical novel of kalki. It tells about pallavas dynasty and the most beautiful sculputers in mahabalipuram. I considered sivakamiyin sabatham is also an wonderful creation of kalki. Please everyone should read this...by vaishnavi

Great novel. Fabulous work by king kalki

25 Vandhargal Vendrargal by Madhan
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