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Devadevan

From Tamil Wiki

இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: தேவதேவன் ‎


Devadevan Vishnupuram Award 2012
Oliyalanadhu
Devadevan 1986
Devadevan, Chennai Book Fair Award 2022

Devadevan (Pichumani Kaivalyam) (Born: May 5, 1948) is a prominent poet of modern Tamil literature. He has written poetry, short stories, and poetic dramas. He retired after serving as a teacher in Thoothukudi. Devadevan is regarded as one of the poets who has written the most number of poems in modern Tamil literature. His works often express a spiritual state attained through nature. He is regarded as a leading poet of modern Tamil by critics such as Jeyamohan.

Birth, Education

Devadevan was born on May 5, 1948, as the second son of S. Pitchumani and Pappathi. He had three siblings. His ancestral village was near Rajavinkovil , close to Kovilpatti, and his mother's family was from Vedapatti. His father moved to Thoothukudi at the age of 19 to work in a mill, and since then, Thoothukudi became their home.

Devadevan's father, Pitchumani, had a deep admiration for E.V. Ramasamy. On the day of Devadevan's birth, a conference of the Karumpadai workers was held in Thoothukudi, which Periyar was attended. During the event, Devadevan's father approached Periyar and requested that he name his son. Periyar, in turn, named him "Kaivalyam" after his friend, the renowned wanderer and social reformer, Kaivalya Samiyar, who had traveled with Periyar for many years. Kaivalya Samiyar was known for his nomadic lifestyle and for his association with Periyar's social and political causes.

Devadevan received his primary education at the D.T.D.A. Primary School on Doovipuram Street in Thoothukudi. He completed his SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) at Subbaiya Vidyalayam Boys Higher Secondary School. After finishing his SSLC, he worked in various small jobs for three years.

Devadevan completed his teacher training at the Teacher Training School in Kuruvikulam. As he was unable to find a job initially, he ran a small printing press for a short time. He also worked in a small job in Kerala for a while and engaged in various physical labor tasks. Later, he operated a small printing press at his own home in Thoothukudi. When Devadhevan turned 33, he was able to secure a teaching position.

Personal Life

Poet Devadevan, Writer Jeyamohan

At the age of 35, Devadevan married Shanthi. They have two children: an elder daughter, Amrutha Preetham, and a younger son, Aravindan. Devadevan has a deep affection for his family as well as for the house he built in Mani Nagar, Thoothukudi.

At the age of 33, Devadevan began his teaching career at the Sivanthakkulam Municipal Middle School in Thoothukudi. He worked at the same school for 25 years and retired in 2005.

Devadevan has a simple diet and is particularly fond of fruits, especially papayas. He holds the belief that eating eggs and non-vegetarian food not only reflects a lack of compassion but also represents a form of disorder.

Many of Devadevan's relatives had sailed to Sri Lanka and Burma, where they later disappeared. In memory of them, the family kept few Sri Lankan-style wooden artifacts and a needle used for stitching sacks in Devadevan's home.

Literary Life

Poems

Devadevan developed an early interest in literature. His reading ranged across various genres, including fiction, philosophical texts, and ancient literature. One of his long-standing interests was in the works of William Henry Thoreau, which influenced him for many years. Through his connection with Pramil he also developed an interest in J. Krishnamurti's teachings. Devadevan mentions, "Pramil provided me with many important books that were very helpful to me."

Among modern fiction writers, Devadevan was particularly drawn to the works of Leo Tolstoy. At the same time, he also had a deep interest in poetry from the traditional Bhakti movement. He specifically mentions that the life and poetry of Andal (one of the twelve Alvars in Tamil devotional literature) deeply captivated him and continued to influence him for a long time.

Devadevan believes that the collection "Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience" by William Blake closely aligns with his own way of thinking. Additionally, he states, "I believe my poems share a certain similarity with the poetry of Robert Frost and Rabindranath Tagore."

Initially, Devadevan attempted to write traditional poetry, but later shifted his focus to modern poetry. He became actively involved in reading modern poetry and began writing for journals such as Kanaiyazhi and Pragnai. His first poems, such as Thayal, Punkalai Kavani and Vaazhvum Kavithaiyum were published in the journal Kanaiyazhi.

Devadevan's first poetry collection, "Kuliththu Karaiyeraadha Gopiyargal", was published in 1976. His second collection, 'Minnal Pozhudhe Thooram', featured a foreword by Sundara Ramasamy and was later published with a foreword by Pramil. In the preface of the second collection, Pramil pointed out several aspects that would later become prominent in Devadevan's work. Both the first and second collections were self-published with the help of his friend, S.P.R. Muthupandi.

Devadevan subsequently continued to publish his poetry collections. In total, he has written nearly eighty-three poetry books over the years

Short Stories

Devadevan has written nearly ten short stories. They have been published by Thamizhini Publications.

Articles

Deva Devan has also written essays on poetics along with the prefaces for his books. These have not been fully published in book form. However, a conversation titled Kavithai Patri (About Poetry) has been released as a book (Kanchanai Publication).

Philosophy of Poetry

The negativity and individual psychological struggles commonly found in modern poetry are absent in Devadevan's poems. Instead, they convey a profound joy that emerges from the harmony between humanity, nature, and the universe. "Poetry is not merely a word game or just an aesthetic; it carries an immeasurable ideal within it. Initially, it creates a revolution in one's life. Subsequently, its beauty shines forth as a grand spectacle that can be perceived without any fiction, appearing as a tangible action. If we first understand that our personality is what is expressed in poetry, we will begin to take an interest in the development of our personality. Personality development is nothing but a continuous realization of truth," says Devadevan about his poetry.

Awards

  • Vishnupuram Award, 2012
  • Tirupur Tamil Sangam Award
  • Lily Devasigamani Award
  • Devamagal Charitable Trust Award
  • Tamil Nadu Government's Tamil Development Association Award
  • Vilakku Award
  • Tuticorin Saral - Rajapandiyan Lifetime Literary Acheivement Award
  • Chennai Book Fair Award 2022
  • Kavikko Award

Analysis, Documentary

  • The book titled "Naveenathuvathirku pin tamil kavidhai - Devadevanai munvaithu", published by Kavitha Publications, is an analysis of Devadevan's poetry written by Jeyamohan.
  • A documentary titled *"Yadhum Ure Yadhum Kelir"*, directed by J. Francis Krupa and focusing on Devadevan, was released in 2007 by Tamilini Publications.
  • In connection with Deva Devan receiving the Vishnupuram Literary Award, the Vishnupuram Literary Circle released a book titled 'Oliyalaanadhu - Deva Devan Padaippulagam" (written by Jeyamohan).

Literary Place

When the writer Jeyamohan refers to Devadevan's poetry, he says, "He did not have any plan to create his poems with 'contemporary insight' or to include 'contemporary politics' in them. Among Tamil poets, he is the one who took poetry as a vocation. Therefore, he is a person who is entirely fitting for the word 'poet'".

Furthermore, when he points to Devadevan's world of poetry, Jeyamohan says, "Devadevan's world is devoid of sorrow. If there is sorrow, it is only the profound sorrow of standing before the infinite. Modern poetry is often seen as a record of the darkness, bitterness, and emptiness of everyday life. In such a context, what sets Devadevan apart is this sweetness. His poems can be described as a celebration of existence. They emerge as a result of the innocence within them ripening into maturity. It is as if he stands in a void, almost devoid of readers, writing these solely for himself"

"Devadevan's poems align with the Eastern philosophical tradition of considering oneself as part of the vast assembly of countless living beings in this universe and living in harmony with nature. The various connections one establishes with nature, the endless wonder of those moments, the expansiveness the mind attains through them, the joy it experiences, and the peace it gains-these are repeatedly depicted in Devadevan's poetry. The essence of his poetry can be succinctly described in a single line as 'the childlike wonder standing before the compassionate grandeur of nature. When examining the visual imagery and symbolism in his poems, they exhibit the natural elegance found in Sangam literature, while their expressive language resonates with the emotional depth seen in devotional literature.", says K. Mohanarangan while referring to Devadevan's poems

Books

Poetry Collection
  • Kulithu Karaiyeradha Gopiyargal (1976)
  • Minnarpozhudhae Dhooram (1981)
  • Matrapadadha Veedu (1984)
  • Bhoomiyai udhari ezhundha megangal (1990)
  • Nuzhaivaayililaeyae ninruvitta kolam (1991)
Pramil's back cover illustration to Devadevan's Minnarpozhudhae Dhooram collection
  • Sinnanchiriya sogam (1992)
  • Natchathira meen (1994)
  • Andharathil oar irukkai (1995)
  • Narsisas vanam (1996)
  • Pulveliyil oru kal (1998)
  • Vinnalavu bhoomi (2000)
  • Virumbiyadhellam...(2002)
  • Vidinthum vidiya pozhudhu (2003)
  • Vidhaiyum kaniyumana baaram (2005)
  • Neela nilavoli (2005)
  • Paravaigal kalundri nirkum paaraigal (2007)
  • Vinvaraiyum thoorigaigal (2007)
  • Margazhi (2008)
  • Iravellaam vizhithirundha nila (2012)
  • Meivazhichalai (2012)
  • Pallathilulla veedu (2013)
  • Paeryazh (2014)
  • Hey, Ma (Adhi Ucham) (2014)
  • KanVizhithapodhu (2016)
  • Nunikombar naaraigal (2016)
  • Amudam mathiramae velipatadhu (2016)
  • Pakkathilthan irukiradhu veedu (2019)
  • Patti izhukkum rojavin mutkilai (2020)
  • Malar thedum malar (2020)
  • Sidhartha rathiri (2018)
  • Olirum Oviya Nila (In Print)
  • Agum enrezhundha aal (In Print)
  • Ellam oru ganam munbudhan (In Print)
  • Aambal kulam (2018)
  • Puriyadhu kazhindha poi natkalellaam ...(2018)
  • Angel (2019)
  • Anudhanadhi (2019)
  • Mahanadhi (2019)
  • Thanniyalbin tharagai (In Print)
  • Yam petra inbam (In Print)
  • Mahanadhiyil midhakkum thoni (In Print)
  • Amudhaveli (In Print)
  • Megangal nadamadum vaanam (In Print)
  • Kayamum thazhumbum (In Print)
  • Katrinile varum Geetham (In Print)
  • Kaanungaal (In Print)
  • Vinnalavaai viriyum Vattam (In Print)
  • Parthu Nada (In Print)
  • Eeram mattumae engum ulladhu (In Print)
  • Ilaigal koodi asaikkum katru (In Print)
  • lagadangu (Epic) (In Print)
  • Neerkudathin alamaralgal (In Print)
  • Edhuvagavum ilaadhadhu (In Print)
  • Andhi Irul (In Print)
  • Kadavulin Rajyam (In print)
  • Paridhi thudaikkum paniththirai (In Print)
  • Venkokkum-mbal malargalum (In Print)
  • Suryagandhi vayal (In Print)
  • Uthiradha mathapukal kodi (2021)
  • Mazhaikkatril aadum malargal
  • Needhiyin mel pasi thaagam ullavargal
  • padal vizhaiyum mona isai
  • oliyil uyirtha vizhigal
  • thaniperungarunai
  • kangal mattumae thodum vaanam
  • arutperunjothi
  • pirothoru pasi
  • Veyil malar kulir thalam
  • vaana peruveli
  • paarvai nadaththum padhai
  • indhak kaatru veliyidaiyae
  • malarum nanmaigal
  • olikunradhu uthirndha malargal
  • Vinmadam
  • Venuvanam
  • Medhuvizhamum patri iyalaa pudhu manidhan
  • nadai mandalam
  • Kanbadhum Kanaadhadhum
  • ippodhum eppodhum kaanak kidaikaadhathenna
  • kuzhandhai partha kurai nila
  • Purappadu (Epic)
  • Thuyarmali ulagin peruvali
  • Nilavil uthitha kaarmugil
  • Eeratharai engum vaanam
  • Maraindhu kidakkum maanganigal
  • Mejai thadagaththil or otrai malar
  • Suttum vizhichudar
  • Ini oru vidhi seyvom
  • Ini asaiyalaam ellam
  • natiya peroli
Complete Collections
  • Devadevan Poems Complete Collection (First 15 books, Tamizhini Publications)
  • Devadevan Poems Complete Collection 1,2 (Thannaram Publications, 2022)
  • Devadevan Poems Complete Collection (First 16 books, Vamsi Publications, 2022)
Drama
  • Alibabavum Morjiniyavum (Self published by Pichumani Kaivalyam, 1999)
Article
  • Kavithai patri (Kanchanai Publications)

References

External Links

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✅Finalised Page

First published on: 26-Sep-2026, 16:39:57 IST

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