Tribute to Kannadasan promises grandeur

Music, dance, movie clippings and debate would form part of a grand evening to celebrate the life and works of one of the greatest lyricists of the Indian film industry in Auckland this weekend.

Auckland Muth Tamil Sangam is organising Kannadasan Vizha (Kannadasan Festival) to pay homage to the man who revolutionised the Tamil film sector with his meaningful lyrics.

Kaviarasu (King of Poets) Kannadasan was also a poet, who is acknowledged as one of the greatest and most  important writers in Tamil Language.

People who could not read the great Tamil Poet Kamban (12th Century AD), or the maxims of Thiruvalluvar (somewhere between BC 200 and BC 10) could hum the compositions of Kannadasan to get the true meaning of those bards.

Some of the immortal lines of the poet have become treasures in many Tamilian homes worldwide.

Had he been alive, Kannadasan would now be 82 years of age, attending the Auckland Muth Tamil Sangam function, still under the same title.

But his presence would have created history.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, real-life incidents influenced his lyrics, adding a high note of reality and emotions to his songs. Riveting us into the world of love, agony, power, status and a volley of human vicissitudes, he did not give many a chance to realise the celluloid version of emotion.

Immortal Songs

Veteran Music Director M S Viswanathan eulogised Kannadasan, saying he was the only lyricist who could write for every mood in life, be it bitten by the love bug or the sorrow of a betrayed lover.

Many of us remember the nostalgic black and white movies, which featured scores of his romantic and melancholic songs, and would wonder if any of the modern lyricists could juggle between such different genres.

Ponal Pogattum Poda (picturised on Shivaji Ganeshan in the 1961 movie Paalum Pazhamum) is one the most favourite songs of that generation, evoking the deep hidden pain during the time of irrevocable sorrow of man who believed he had lost his wife. But the song was written out of a real incident in Kannadasan’s life.

Kaviarasu was equally talented to sheen a new lease of light into our minds with songs like, Vaazha Ninaithal Vazhalam (Shivaji Ganeshan and Devika in the 1962 film Bale Pandiya) and Avalukkenna Azhagiya Mugam (Nagesh in Server Sundaram-1964).

A Golden Era

Kannadasan belonged to an era in which lyrics and voice were in the forefront with the instruments taking the backstage. The verses have had deep impact in our minds, diverting us from whatever mood we were in, to the milieu set by the musical number.

The list of best songs penned by the poet is endless and mere words will never be sufficient to describe how soothing, assuasive and pacifying his songs have been to the abounding emotions within the heart.

In personal life, Kannadasan explored the limits set by time; this reflection was evident in his poetic lines. The words possessed a tad touch of humour, commingled with mocking sarcasms, delivering a message rather than just entertaining the audience.

Parappa Palaniyappa, Pattanamam Pattanamam (M G Ramachandran in the 1963 film Periya Idathu Penn) and Madras Nalla Madras (Nagesh in Anubavi Raja Anubavi- 1967) are excellent examples.

Life’s Encyclopaedia

Without a doubt, his verses formed an encyclopaedia of life, delving into every  possible topic that we come across during different stages in our lives.

The sole entrancing element lies in this realism and to better know the eminence of Kannadasan, one should listen to his best collections that would surely leave you fumbling for words to praise the poet.

The poet shares his birthday with his close friend and musical legend Viswanathan who composed the memorable classics of Tamil Cinema.

The duo deserves a special paean for giving us a treasure of music and verses.

Born as Muthiah, Kannadasan was an atheist and follower of Dravidian Atheistic Movement. He had great love for Tamil Language and Culture, and excelled in literature, prose and poetry.

He once read Thiruppavai (a collection of 30 stanzas) of Andal (an 8th Century Tamil Saint) and was enchanted by its mystic poetry, leaving a deep and everlasting impact.

After considerable introspection, he reverted to Hinduism, christened himself Kannadasan, dug deep into the understanding of Hinduism, and wrote a series of books on Hinduism titled Arthmulla Indhu Matham.

He was the poet Laureate of the Taminadu Government. He died on October 17 in Chicago, US, where he was attending a Tamil conference organised by the Tamil Association of Chicago.

The poet’s house in Sirukudalpatti, Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu, India is now a memorial for the Tamil film music’s evergreen favourites.

Editor’s Note: The writer of the above article is an ardent fan of Kannadasan and has done considerable research on the poet’s works.

Photo: Kaviarasu Kannadasan