Gnani Sankaran

N. Vembusamy Sankaran (4 January 1954 – 15 January 2018), known popularly as Gnani, was an Indian journalist and writer in Tamil language. He wrote articles under the pseudonyms Vamban, Cynic and Nandan, and is known for frank and uncompromising views on politics and culture, which he has expressed in the media for 30 years. He functioned in multiple roles in newspapers, magazines, plays and films. His son Manush Nandan works as a cinematographer in Tamil cinema. Gnani was born to Jayalakshmi and N. Vembusamy on 4 January 1954 in Chengalpattu, a town in India's erstwhile Madras State (now Tamil Nadu), where he was also schooled. His father worked as a journalist with an English daily. As a student Gnani showed interest in oratory, writing and acting. He was a part of first Rail Passenger's Association. He graduated from the Madras Christian College. He started as court reporter for Indian Express, when he reported on embarrassing gaffes for the judiciary. Eventually he fought with Indian Express. Although he was fired, he successfully sued them for breach of labour laws. He soon joined eminent Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan, becoming a sure investigative journalist.