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Kannadasan

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Kannadasan
Younger Kannadasan

Kannadasan (June 24, 1927 – October 17, 1981) was a Tamil poet, Film Lyricist, Writer, Journalist, Politician, Spiritual Orator. Kannadasan, who rose to fame through Tamil film songs, was a supporter of the early Dravidian movement and later a supporter of the Congress. He has written Short Epics and assorted Songs. He is known as the last important poet who wrote in Classical Poetry.

Birth, Education

Kannadasan was born as Mutthiah , as the eighth son of Sathappan Chettiar and Visalakshi Aachi couple in a Naattukottai Nagaratthar clan on June 24, 1927, in Sirukoodalpatti near Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India. Along with his 10 siblings (six brothers, three sisters) he was jointly adopted by Palaniappa Chettiar - Chigappi Aachi at an early age. He lived in their house in the changed name Narayanan.

After completing his primary education at Sirukoodalpatti, he studied up to class eight at Amaravathiputhur High School. In 1943, at the age of 16, Kannadasan joined the firm Ajax in Thiruvottriyur, near Chennai as a worker.

Personal Life

Kannadasan with E.V.R. Periyar
Kannadasan with M.G.R.
Kannadasan's Marriage

At the age of 16, Kannadasan eloped to Chennai without informing home and took the nickname Chandrasekaran to look for opportunities to act in films. He started writing stories while working as an assistant at Ajax Company, Thiruvottriyur. His first story 'Nilavoliyile' appeared in the magazine Grihalakshmi. He returned to Karaikudi in 1944 and joined Thirumagal magazine as a proofreader. That's when he took the name Kannadasan.

Kannadasan Statue
Kannadasan Family
Kannadasan with Wife

Kannadasan's marriage took place on February 9, 1950, in Karaikudi with Ponnazhagi alias Ponnammal. They have 4 sons Kanmanisubbu, Kalaivaanan, Ramasamy and Venkataachalam and 3 daughters Alamelu Sokkalingam, Thenammai and Visalakshi. Kannadasan remarried Parvathiammal on 11 November 1951. They have seven children namely Gandhi, Kamal, Annadurai, Gopal Krishnan, Srinivasan and 2 daughters Revathi and Kalaichelvi. At the age of fifty, Kannadasan again got married for the third time to Poet Valliammai. They have a daughter Vishaali.

Literary Life

Kannadasan with Jeyakanthan

Kannadasan's first story 'Nilavoliyile' was published in 1944 in the magazine Grihalakshmi. He wrote articles, political reviews and film reviews under various names such as Kaaraimuthup Pulavar, Vanangaamudi, Kamakapriya, Paarvathinathan, Arogyasamy. He wrote his first short epic 'Maankani' in 1952-1953 while in jail for protesting the name change of Dalmiapuram town.

Kannadasan's world of poetry is vast. He belongs entirely to the world of classical poetry. He continued to write short epics, assorted songs and sittrilakiyangal. His classical poems written in Kumudam Tamil weekly magazine were popular. Soundharaa Kailasam's counter poem 'Maanudarai Paaduvom' (Lets hail Humanity) to Kannadasan's poem 'Maanudarai Paadamatten' (i dont hail humanity) was very famous.

Kannadasan wrote serialized novels in several magazines such as the vaaraanthari Rani weekly, popular among common readers, to the one he himself found, Thenral. The novels were for popular sections, slightly traversing the society's sexual sensualities of that time. He also wrote Historical fantasy novels, Cheramaan Kaathali, Kumarikkandam. They were also meant for the common sections of the society as against for the learned / educated.

Movie Career

In 1949, Kannadasan wrote the song Kalangaathiru Maname in the K. Ramnoth-directed film Kanniyin Kaathali, an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Play '12th night', produced by Jupiter Films. Since then, he contributed as a prolific lyricist in the Tamil FIlm Industry for more than thirty years, till his death. He wrote dialogues for many Tamil films starting from the film 'Illarajothi'.

Journalism

Kannadasan had founded and ran many magazines. He has also been involved in executing many other.

  • Chandamaarutham
  • Mullai
  • Methaavi
  • Thenral
  • Thendralthirai
  • Kannadasan

Politics

Kannadasan with D.M.K. Leaders
Kannadasan Speaking
Kannadasan with Kamaraj

In 1949, Kannadasan joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). He participated in many political events including the Kallakkudi protest and anti-Hindi protest organized by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for a decade. In 1957, he contested for the Thirukoshtiyur assembly election seat and lost. On April 9, 1961, he resigned from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. In 1962, he started the Tamil National Party along with E.V.K. Sampath. In 1964, the party merged with the Indian National Congress.

Kannadasan became a Congress member and engaged in political campaigning as an ardent supporter of Kamaraj. After Kamaraj's demise, he became a supporter of the Indian National Congress (Indra) faction. He remained a Congress supporter till his life. He severely criticized M. Karunanidhi and M.G. Ramachandran. When M.G. Ramachandran came to power, Kannadasan, was appointed as the 'State Bard' on March 28, 1978.

Spirituality

Kannadasan was born in a clan of traditional Saivites. Yet, in 1944, he rechristened himself as Kannadasan due to his devotion to Bhagavad Gita and Lord Krishna. He became a radical in 1949 when he supported the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Later in his Memoirs, he says that he was still a theist inside but used to remove the Thiruneeru (holy ash) from his forehead and get on the DMK daises to favour radicalism.

After leaving the Dravidian movement, he was active as a Theist again. His simplified interpretation for Bhagavad Gita became popular. He did translations of many Theist texts such as Adi Shankara's Kanakataara Stotra. He wrote short verses on his family deity at Sirukoodalpatti. Those songs brought him great fame.

He wrote several volumes of 'Artthamulla Indhu Matham' (Hinduism the meaningful) explaining Hindu rituals and tenets of the religion in a simple manner. It is Kannadasan's best-selling book so far, which led to many similar books. But Kannadasan's spirituality was of a conciliatory nature. He compiled the story of Jesus in his later times and wrote a book called 'Yesukaviyam'. He also intended to pen an epic on Prophet Mohammed.

Awards (in Literature)

  • Sahitya Academy Award (For Cheramaan Kaathali)

Demise

Kannadasan had a habit of drugging Betadine. He got very sick and was admitted to Chicago City Hospital on July 24, 1981, and died on Saturday, October 17 at 10.45 IST. His body was brought to Chennai from USA on 20th October and cremated on 22 October 1981 with state honours, after the public paid their last respects.

Memorials, Memories

Kannadasan's Autobiography
Kannadasan Manimandabam
Kannadasan Postal Stamp

Government of Tamil Nadu has constructed Kaviarasu Kannadasan Mani Mandapam near the new bus stand in Karaikudi, in his native Sivagangai district. This memorial was built on an estimated, announced cost of Rs. 84 lakhs in 1981, by the then Chief Minister MGR, the foundation stone was laid in 1990 by Chief Minister Karunanidhi and after completion, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Selvi. J.Jayalalitha in 1992. The two-storied memorial has a bust of Kannadasan. There is a gallery hall in the upper floor and a library with 2400 books in the lower floor. Photographs connected to Kannadasan's life are exhibited.

In 2013, a postage stamp was issued for Kannadasan.

Kannadasan Kazhagam (association) from Coimbatore presents Kannadasan Awards for Literature and Poetry.

Biography

Kaviarasu Kannadasan Kathai - Vanangaamudi (Kannadasan Publications)

Literary Position

After C. Subramania Bharathiar and Bharathidasan, Tamil traditional poetry was carried forward by poets belonging to the Bharathidasan lineage and by poets of the Namakkal poet tradition. But by the 1970s most of them were inactive. Many of Bharathidasan's lineage came to the new form of poetry through the Vaanampaadi poetry movement. The legacy of Namakkal poets vanished.

Most of the poets belonging to the Bharathidasan tradition wrote political poems. So, they could not work in all the niches of traditional poetry. Many of them reject traditional mentalities. Therefore, their vocabulary could not match traditional poetry.

Kannadasan is considered to be the last poet who fully revealed the diction, sound and style of traditional Tamil poetry. Due to his training in Yaappu and mastery of Classical Literature, Kannadasan wrote poetry in Yaappu with élan and spontaneity.

The salient features of Kannadasan's poetry are:

  • A natural, effortless arrangement (Yappamaithi). He emerges effortlessly even in a complex yaappu like the Asiriya Viruttham and Enseer Kazinezhiladi.
  • Reconstructing and presenting beautiful rhetoric and parables taken from tradition poetry in his own way.
  • Unlike most traditional poets, he expressed his life experiences and emotions in poetry instead of writing based on what he learned.
  • A practical philosophical view, rooted in tradition and the result of personal experience, is sharply expressed in simple phrases.

Kannadasan's literary niche is through his short epics like Maankani and assorted poems.

Kannadasan's fictions are intended to appeal to the common readers. The worksy were adored in those times.

Books

Poetry

Epics
  • Aattanatthi Aathimanthi
  • Yesu Kaviyam
  • Aingurunkaappiyam
  • Kallakkudi Maha Kaaviyam
  • Kizhavan Sethupathi
  • Paandimadevi
  • PerumpayaNam
  • Malargal
  • Maankani
  • Muttruperaatha Kaaviyangal
Collections
  • Kannadasan Kavithaigal - 1959, Kaaviyakazhagam, Chennai - 2, Vanathi Pathipaga First edition 1968
  • Kannadasan kavithaigal: Irandam Thoguthi - 1960, Kaviyakazhagam, Chennai, Vanathi Pathipaga First Edition 1968
  • Kannadasan Kavithaigal: Muthaliru Thoguthigal
  • Kannadasan Kavithaigal: Mundram Thoguthi - 1968, Vanathi Pathipagam, Chennai
  • Kannadasan Kavithaigal: Nangam Thoguthi - 1971, Vanathi Pathipagam, Chennai
  • Kannadasan Kavithaigal: Aintham Thoguthi - 1972, Vanathi Pathipagam, Chennai
  • Kannadasan Kavithaigal: Aaram Thoguthi - 1976, Vanathi Pathipagam, Chennai
  • Kannadasan Kavithaigal: Ezham Thoguthi - 1986, Vanathi Pathipagam, Chennai
  • Paadikodutha MangaLangal
Sittrilakkiyangal (micro literature)
  • Ambikai AzhaguDharisanam
  • Krishna Anthaathi
  • Krishna Gaanam
  • Krishna Manimaalai
  • Srikrishna Kavacham
  • Srikrishna Jeyanthi
  • Srivengatesa Suprabaatham
  • Thypaavai
Poetic Plays
  • Kavithaanjali
Translations
  • Ponmazhai (of Adi Sankara's Kanakathaara Sthotra)
  • Baja Govindham

Novels

  • Avalukkaga Oru Paadal
  • Aval Oru Hindu Pen
  • Arangamum Andarangamum
  • Athaivida Ragasiyam
  • Aachi
  • Ayirankaal Mandapam
  • Ayiram Theevu Angayarkanni - 1956
  • Umaiyankoattai
  • Oru Kavignanin Kathai
  • Kadal Konda Thennaadu
  • Kaamini Kanjana
  • Sarasuvin Soundharya Lahari
  • Sivappukkal Mookutthi
  • Singari Partha Chennai
  • Suruthi Seraatha Raagangal
  • Cheramaan Kaathali
  • Theiva ThirumaNangal
  • Nadantha Kathai
  • Paarimalaikodi
  • Brindaavanam
  • Misaa
  • Muppathu Naalum Pournami
  • Rattha Pushpangal
  • ViLakku Mattumaa Sivappu ?
  • Velangudi Thiruvizha
  • Swarna Saraswathi

Short Stories

  • Eezhatthu rani
  • Oru Nathiyin Kathai
  • Kannadasan Kathaigal
  • Kaathal Palavitham - Kathaligal Palaragam
  • Kuttikathaigal
  • Penaa Naattiyam
  • Manasukku Thookamillai
  • Shenbagathamman Kathai
  • Seithikathaigal
  • Dharmarin Vanavaasam

Autobiography

  • Enathu Vasantha Kaalangal
  • Vanavaasam (from birth till leaving the DMK party)
  • Enathu Suyacharitham ( whats left untold in Vanavasam )
  • Manavaasam (life in the Indian National Congress party)

Articles, Essays, Non-fiction

  • Anthi, Santhi, Arthajaamam
  • Ilakkiyatthil Kaathal
  • Ilakkiya Yutthangal
  • Ennangal 1000
  • Kadaisipakkam
  • Kannadasan Katturaigal
  • Kannadasan Nadatthiya Ilakkiya Yutthangal
  • Koottukkural
  • Kudumbasugam
  • Santhitthen Sinthitthen (interviews)
  • Sugamaana Sinthanaigal
  • Seppumozhigal
  • Gnanamaaliga
  • Tamizhar Thirumanamum Thaaliyum
  • Thenral Katturaigal
  • Dheivadarisanam
  • Thottatthu Malargal
  • Nambikkai Malargal
  • Nan Paartha Arasiyal - Munpaathi
  • Nan Paartha Arasiyal - Pinpaathi
  • Nan Rasittha VarNanaigal
  • Pushpamaaliga
  • Poi Varugiren
  • Manambola Vaazvu
  • Ragamaaliga
  • Vaazhkkai Enum Solaiyile

Spirituality

  • Artthamulla Indu Matham 1
  • Artthamulla Indu Matham 2
  • Artthamulla Indu Matham 3
  • Artthamulla Indu Matham 4: ThunbangaLil Irunthu Viduthalai
  • Artthamulla Indu Matham 5: Gnaanam Pirantha Kathai
  • Artthamulla Indu Matham 6: Nenjukku Nimmathi
  • Artthamulla Indu Matham 7: Sugamaana Sinthanaigal
  • Artthamulla Indu Matham 8: Bogam Rogam Yogam
  • Artthamulla Indu Matham 9: Gnanathai Thedi
  • Artthamulla Indu Matham 10: Unnaiye Nee Arivaai

Plays

  • Anarkali
  • Sivagangaiseemai
  • Raja Thandanai - 1956

Speech Collections

Kannadasan has written interpretative texts for the following Literature:

  • Abirami bhattar's Abirami Anthaadhi
  • Aadavar mangaiyar Anga LatchaNam
  • Andal Thiruppaavai
  • Gnaanarasamum Kaamarasamum
  • Sankara Pokkisham
  • Subradheepa Kaviraayarin Koozhappanaayakkan Kaathal
  • Subradheepa Kaviraayarin Viralividu Thoothu
  • Thirukkural Kaamathupaal
  • Bhagavad Gita

Interviews

  • Kannadasan Pettigal - Thoguppaasiriyar: R.B. Sankaran (Masilamani Pathipagam, Chennai - 4)
  • Santhitthen Sinthitthen

Questions - Answers

  • Aiyam Agattru
  • Kelvigalum Kannadasan Bathilgalum

References

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✅Finalised Page

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