Nellai Su.Muthu, a former scientist of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), passed away.
He worked as a senior scientist at the ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
He is the recipient of the Kavi mamani Award presented by the World Tamil Poets Association of Malaysia.
He has authored more than 70 books on topics varying from science, children’s literature, poetry, history, translation.
Four of his books were honoured with the Tamil Development Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu's Best Book Award and the Best Author Award.
His book 'Vinveli 2057' (SKY 2057) won the best book award in the Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics and Chemistry categories for the year 2000.
Another book, titled 'Arivuttum Vigyaana Vilaiyaatu' (Science Tricks That Provide Knowledge), clinched the best book award in the Children's Literature category for the year 2004.
The book, titled 'Einsteinum Andaveliyum' (Einstein and Space), won the best book award in the Biography and Personal History categories for the year 2005.
He worked with the late former President APJ Abdul Kalam.