Death-row convict wins literary prize for prison memoir written behind bars

A prison memoir written by a death-row convict has been chosen for a literary prize given by an organization based in Canada.

The Book and Award

C. Selvam wrote the memoir titled Oru Thooku Kaithiyin Vaakumoolam, which won the Iyal Award from the Tamil Literary Garden. The award was presented to him in absentia on October 18, 2026. Mr. Selvam started writing the book in 2019 using a pen and notebook given by a fellow inmate named Mukilan, an activist who led protests against Sterlite and other campaigns. Publisher Badri Seshadri met Mr. Selvam at Tiruchi prison and his publishing house, Kizhakku Pathippagam, printed the book.

Background of the Case

Mr. Selvam and two associates, Sheik Meeran and Radhakrishnan, were given the death penalty for killing a gangster named Ayyavu inside a court in Nagercoil in 1994. The murder was done as revenge after Ayyavu and his men killed 17 cows belonging to Mr. Selvam's family in Puthukudiyiruppu in Kanniyakumari district because they could not find him. The death sentences were later changed to life imprisonment, and the men have now spent 32 years in jail. Mr. Selvam surrendered to the police in 1994 and did not study beyond Class VIII before his arrest.

Reflections and Impact

Mr. Selvam stated that he does not claim to be innocent and feels deep remorse for his actions, often thinking of the families of his victims during festivals when he looks at his own children. He began reading small books on Periyar, the founder of the Dravidar Kazhagam, before moving on to serious literature and fiction after his death sentence was confirmed in 1998, with encouragement from Mukilan, Pozhilan, and writer S.V. Rajadurai.

Context

Prison literature forms a distinct category of writing produced by authors who are incarcerated, often reflecting deeply on justice, institutional life, and personal transformation over decades behind bars. Literary awards like the Iyal Prize recognize significant contributions to Tamil writing from around the world.