// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the Tamilanban say to the banana? You're a-peel-ing.

In this Indian name, the name Natarajan is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Jegadeesan or by his pen name "Erode" Tamilanban (or "Erode" Tamizhanban).

Kalaimamani Tamilanban
Tamilanban in 2017
Born	Jegadeesan (1933-09-28)28 September 1933 Chennimalai, composite Coimbatore District, Madras Presidency, British India (now in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India)
Died	22 November 2025(2025-11-22) (aged 92) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Notable works	Vanakkam Valluva! (2000)
Notable awards	Kalaimamani Award (1999) Sahitya Akademi Award (2004)
Relatives	Valliammal (mother) S. R. Natarajan (father)
Website
erodetamilanban.com

Natarajan Jegadeesan, known by his pen name "Erode" Tamilanban (also spelled as Erode Tamizhanban; 28 September 1933 – 22 November 2025), was a poet and writer from Tamil Nadu, India.

Life and career

Tamilanban was born in Chennimalai. a town in present-day Erode district, Tamil Nadu on 28 September 1933.

In 2004, he was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil for his poetry collection Vanakkam Valluva (lit. Greetings, Valluvar). He also worked as a newsreader for Doordarshan. He was a board member of the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nadaga Mandram. He died on 22 November 2025, at the age of 92.

Awards and recognitions

• S. P. Adithanar Senior Tamil Scholar Award (2017)
• Kalaimamani award by Government of Tamil Nadu
• Sahitya Akademi award (2004)
• Kokkarako award (1969)

Selected works

1. Silirppugal – Paari Nilayam (1970)
2. Andha nandanai eritha neruppin micham – Poompuhar padhippakam (1982)
3. Thirumbi vandha thervalam – Poompuhar padhippakam (1985)
4. Kannukku veliyae sila kanaakkal – Narmada padippakam (1990)
5. En veetukku ethirae oru erukkan chedi – Pablo bharathi padippakam (1995)
6. Nadai marandha nadhiyum thisai mariya odayum – Poompuhar padhippakam (1998)
7. Anaikkava endra America — Poompuhar padhippakam (1999)
8. Un veetukku naan vandhirundhen – Pablo bharathi padippakam (1999)
9. Bharathidasanodu pathandugal – vizhigal padippakam (2000)
10. Vanakkam Valluva! – Poompuhar padhippakam (2000)
11. Sennimalai cleopatrakkal – Pablo bharathi padippakam (2002)
12. Vaarthaikal ketta varam – vizhigal padippakam (2002)
13. Madhippedugal — Marudha (2002)
14. Ivargalodum ivarrodum – vizhigal padippakam (2003)
15. Kanakaanum vinaakkal – vizhigal padippakam (2004)
16. Minnal urangum podhu – Sri Durga padippakam (2004)
17. Kadhavai thattiya pazhaya kadhali – vizhigal padippakam (2005)
18. Vidiyal vizhudugal – Poompuhar padhippakam (2005)
19. Kavin kuru nooru – Pablo bharathi padippakam (2005)
20. Pablo Neruda paarvaiyil India – Pablo Neruda Spanish Latin America Research Institute (2007)
21. Idugurip peyarallai Islam – Rahmat arakattalai (2008)
22. Olaichuvadiyum kurunthagadum – Vidivelli veliyeedu (2008)
23. Solla vandadhu – Muthamizh padippagam (2008)
24. Poems of questions – Translation by Gregory James. Arimaa Nokku (2018)
25. Glow-worm woods – Translation by Gregory James. Arimaa Nokku (2019)