Ambai whose original name is C.S. Lakshmi is one of Tamil's most famous feminist writer. She has been chosen as one of Sahitya Akademi award winner for her short story collection Sivappu Kazhuttudan oru patchaiparavai. Born in Coimbatore in 1944, Ambai obtained post-graduate degree in history from madras christian college and further pursued her Phd at Delhi Jawaharlal Nehru University. She also writes for The Hindu, EPW among others.
Since her first short story collection Sirakukal Muriyum she has published many works including Veetin Moolaiyil Oru samayalarai,Kaatil oru Maan, Vattrum Eriyin Meenkal, Oru karupu silanthiyudan oru Iravu, Andheri Membalathil Oru Santhippu etc.
Books in English
- The Face behind the mask : Women in Tamil literature, Stosius Inc/Advent Books Division (1984)
- A Purple Sea (Translated by Lakshmi Holmstorm), Affiliated East-West Press (1992)
- Body blows: women, violence, and survival : three plays, Seagull Books (2000)
- Seven seas & seven mountains : Volume 1 : The Singer and the Song — Conversations with Women Musicians, Kali for Women (2000)
- Seven seas & seven mountains : Volume 2 : Mirrors and Gestures – Conversations with Women Dancers, Kali for Women (2003)
- (ed.) The Unhurried City – Writings on Chennai, Kali for Women (2003)
- In A Forest, A Deer: Stories By Ambai (Translated by Lakshmi Holmstorm), Katha (2006)
- A Meeting on the Andheri Overbridge: Sudha Gupta Investigates, Juggernaut (2016)
Books in Tamil
- Nandimalai Charalilae (lit. At Nandi Hills) (1962)
- Andhi Malai (lit. Twilight) (1967)
- Sirakukal muriyum (lit. Wings will be broken), Kalachuvadu (1976)
- Veetin mulaiyil oru camaiyalarai (lit. A kitchen in the corner of the house), cre-A (1988)
- Ambai : Kalacchuvadu Nerkanalgal (lit. Kalachuvadu Interviews with Ambai), Kalachuvadu (1998)
- Kaatil Oru Maan (lit. A Deer in the Forest), Kalachuvadu (2000)
- Varrum eriyin meengal (lit. Fish in a drying pond), Kalachuvadu (2007)
Source : The Hindu & Wikipedia