Manisekaran was born on 2 May 1927 in Sullivanpet, now (Vellore District), British India. He published for more than 50 years. He wrote eight plays, 29 short story collections, 30 social novels, 50 historical novels and eight essays. He is most noted for his historical novels. He was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the most honourable Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil for his historical novel Kutrala Kurinji in the year 1992. He also directed two Tamil and one Kannada film. He was an assistant to noted Tamil film director K. Balachandar for three years. His film Thennangkeetru won the Tamil Nadu film fans association award and the Government of Karnataka's Neerikshe award.

Manisekaran died in Chennai on 18 November 2021, at the age of 94