Tamilians plan homage to Kannadasan

Music, dance and debate in honour of the great poet

Tamilians residing in the greater Auckland region and beyond would have a rare opportunity to pay homage to one of the greatest lyricists and poets of all times as a special programme gets under way next fortnight.

Auckland Muth Tamil Sangam is organising Kannadasan Vizha (Kannadasan Festival) on May 15 at Freemans Bay Community Centre in Auckland City to pay tribute to the late poet who revolutionised not only the Tamil film industry with his thought-provoking lyrics but also enriched Tamil literature with his ideologies, which often clashed with the establishment.

The programme will comprise music and dance reflecting Kannadasan’s works and a ‘Patti Manram,’ (debate) on his prowess as a romantic and philosophical poet.

Waitakere City Council Chief Executive Vijaya Vaidyanath will be the Chief Guest, and Auckland Sri Ganesh Temple Trust Chairman Ray Annamalai will be Guest of Honour at the event.

King of Poets

Tamil Sangam President Ilango Krishnamoorthy said the thought of organising a festival to honour ‘Kaviarasu’ (‘King of Poets’) has been with them for long but the programme took time to materialise.

“Kannadasan has endeared himself to Tamilians around the world, irrespective of their origin or political leanings. He was a lyricist par excellence and a poet of inimitable talent and reputation,” he said.

Secretary Soundararajan Thiruppathi said giving shape to a programme of the type envisaged was challenging and exciting.

“Even after almost 29 years of his passing, Kannadasan is respected as one of the most significant personalities in Tamil Nadu. His songs inspired film celebrities, producers, directors, politicians and even Tamil professors and researchers,” he said.

Vice-President Chandrasekaran Pichai said scores of people, including younger members of the society, evinced interest as Kannadasan Vizha began to take shape.

“Our young singers and dancers have shown great enthusiasm in learning the lyrics and dance movements to present a quality programme,” he said.

Executive Committee Member Lakshman Chokkalingam, who is coordinating all aspect of the Vizha, said the festival of the type planned was a fitting tribute to the great lyricist and poet.

“Kannadasan is a living legend and it is an honour to be involved in a project that extols his poetic and literary calibre. I hope the ensuing programme will appeal to large number of our people,” he said.

Sangam members and their guests can expect to hear some of the immortal songs picturised on almost all the major actors of the 1950s through to 1980s including Gemini Ganeshan, Shivaji Ganeshan, M G Ramachandran (the ‘Big Three Heroes’ of Tamil Cinema), Kamala Hassan, Rajinikanth, Savitri, Saroja Devi, Devika, Jayalalitha and K R Vijaya, to name a few.

Young danseuses will recapture dance sequences from selected films that demonstrated the exemplary talent of Kannadasan.

Ravi Muthumanickam, the rising star of the community will render a number of songs, giving vent to his mellifluous voice.

The organisers are also trying to arrange projection of video clippings and other optics comprising the film song sequences to highlight the creative genius of the lyricist.

Interesting facts relating to some songs will also be narrated during the programme.

About Kannadasan

This reporter has had the privilege of close association with the departed Kaviarasu and like many others in his companionship, he has been awed by the creative genius in him.

With more than 5000 songs, 6000 poems, 230 books including novels and essays and narrations on a variety of subjects and issues, Kannadasan remains without parallel in the Tamil film industry. Some of his poems have been likened to those of Kambar, Bharatiyar and Bharati Dasan.

Although beyond Awards and Citations, Kannadasan was the first to receive the National Film Award for Best Lyrics in 1969 for Kuzhanthaikkaga (a 1968 film).

He won the Sahitya Academy Award for his novel Cheraman Kadali in 1980.

Born in Sirukudalpatti, near Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu as Muthiah, his passion for Tamil literature encouraged him to read the works of Tiruvalluvar, Kambar, Kapilar, Ilango Adigal, Manikkavasagar and others.

He edited a number of newspapers before entering the Tamil film industry to write the first song, Kalangadiru Maname for ‘Kanniyin Kadali.’

The world became poorer when he died on October 16, 1981 in Chicago (US), where he was undergoing medical treatment. He left behind two wives, nine sons, five daughters and millions of fans.