Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai (1912 –1999), popularly known as Thakazhi after his place of birth, was an Indian novelist and short story writer of Malayalam literature. He wrote over 30 novels and novellas and over 600 short stories focusing on the lives of the oppressed classes. Pillai was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, and was also a recipient of the Jnanpith, India's highest literary award, awarded in 1984 for the novel Kayar.