Poet Kannadasan: a creative mind that enriched Tamil cinema with exquisite, philosophical songs

You don’t have any Active Subscription.

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

Many people shuttle between what they perceive as a better past and a less satisfying present, forever dwelling in nostalgia. And nothing triggers those painful, bittersweet feelings more powerfully than songs — particularly those they listened to in their teens.

For a generation of Tamils, that nostalgia is invariably evoked by the film songs penned by the late poet Kannadasan, whose birth centenary is being celebrated. His songs offered solace and caressed the listener like a peacock feather. Gandhi Kannadasan, his son, once recalled how IT professionals at the turn of the millennium would constantly listen to the song, “Amaithiyaana Nathiyinile Odum Odam, Alavillatha Vellam Vanthaal Aadum” (A boat that sails smoothly on the still waters of a river will sway when the river is in spate).

Born Muthaiah in Sirukoodalpatti in Chettinad in 1927, in the erstwhile Ramanathapuram district (now Sivaganga district), he was given for adoption, a long-practised custom among the Nattukottai Chettiars. He studied only up to class VIII. He left for Chennai in search of a job and, after a few unsuccessful attempts, found employment with Ajax Company in Tiruvottiyur. A few yards away stood the memorial of Pattinathar, one of the great Tamil philosopher-poets, who also happened to be a Nagarathar.

In his memoir, Vanavasam, Kannadasan recalled how after his work was over, he would go and sit near the memorial. He would think and delve into his imaginary world. In fact, it was Tiruvottiyur that created the conducive atmosphere for him to become a poet. The memoir, incidentally, is often quoted by critics of the DMK to target its leaders, particularly the late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Yet, Kannadasan also recorded his admiration for Karunanidhi as a writer, saying his dialogues for the film Veera Abimanyu continued to ring in his ears.

Vanavasam is a forthright and honest portrayal of men and matters, including Kannadasan himself. He never sought to hide his past or his wayward life. Who, after attaining a position in society, would be ready to recall an encounter with a sex worker who asked him to marry her and promised to quit her vocation? When he met her after a long time, she could recognise him only as a renowned personality in the film world.

The name ‘Kannadasan’ was conceived in a flash in Pudukkottai, when the owner of a magazine he was about to join asked him his name. The name stuck. He delved deep into the Tamil classics, Hindu philosophy, the Puranas and the Vedas, absorbed their richness and gave them expression in his poetry.

Even today, many villages in Tamil Nadu wake up to ‘Krishna Ganam’, the album that includes “Pullankuzhal Kodutha Moongilkale.” Consider the imagery in the lines, “Margazhi Pani Naalil Mangaiyar Ilam Tholil Karkuzhal Vadivaga Kannan Vanthan” — Kannan (Lord Krishna) arrives in the form of a dark cloud, like long tresses falling over the young shoulders of women, an image that aptly captures the misty early mornings of Margazhi (a Tamil month), when young girls observe Paavai Nonbu.

The things used by Kannadasan as a child kept on display at the memorial in his native village in Sirukoodalpatti of Sivaganga district. File | Photo Credit: K. Ganesan

There is a line in Kambaramayanam: “Nathiyin Pizhai Anru Narum Punal Inmai” (If there is no water, it is not the fault of the river). Kannadasan adapted the idea in a simple, evocative line for the film Thyagam: “Nathi Vellam Kaainthu Vittal Nathi Seitha Kuttram Illai” (If the river runs dry, it is not the river’s fault).

“Aattuvithal Yaroruvar Aadathare Kanna” has its origins in both Thirunavukkarasar’s Thevaram — “Aatuvithal Yaroruvar Aadathare” — and Vallalar’s Arutpa — “Aatuvithal Aadukindren”. 

Maestro Ilaiyaraaja was never tired of extolling Kannadasan’s creative mind and recalling how he would come up with exquisite lines, steeped in beauty and philosophy, as he listened to the tunes. “Azhagu Miguntha Rajakumari Megamaga Pogiral; Jarikai Nezhiyil Selaikondu Malalai Moodaparkiral” (The beautiful princess is moving like a cloud, seeking to cover the mountain with her saree adorned with zari) from the song Senthazham Poovil is etched in the memory like a line from an ancient Tamil classic. 

Actor Kamal Haasan has also recalled how Kannadasan wrote all the songs for the film Apoorva Raagangal and left without telling anyone, after director K. Balachander became angry with him over the delay in writing the songs. The song “Ezhu Swarangalukkul Ethanai Padal” earned Vani Jayaram the National Award for Best Female Playback Singer.

Statue of poet Kannadasan which was unveiled by the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on December 9, 1994 at G.N. Chetty Road in T. Nagar, Chennai | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives

An atheist in his early years while active in the Dravidian movement, Kannadasan later turned spiritual and wrote several volumes of Arthamulla Indhumatham, earning a reputation for inconsistency in his ideological leanings. But, he followed his conscience and had no qualms about quitting an ideology when he felt it was at odds with his beliefs. He had immense faith in the creative power of his poetry and believed that his words would survive the passage of time. He even placed himself in the realm of the divine: “Padaippathanaal En Per Iraivan” (I am God because I create), he says in the song “Oru Koppaiyile En Kudiyiruppu” (I live in a glass of liquor) from the film Raththa Thilagam.

He also declared: “Naan Niranthramanavan; Azhivathillai. Entha Nilaiyilum Enakku Maranamillai” (I am eternal; I will not perish. In no circumstance will death claim me).

Though there is an argument that Kannadasan was able to reach great heights because he was associated with cinema, a powerful medium of mass entertainment, Tamil scholar Pazha. Karuppaiah pointed out in a speech that not every lyricist associated with cinema could secure a permanent place in public memory in the way Kannadasan did.

Kannadasan alone, he argued, was being celebrated and had secured a place in the league of national poet Bharathi and his disciple Bharathidasan. Like Bharathi and Bharathidasan, Kannadasan too reflected the times in which he lived, spoke the truth through his works and contributed to the renaissance of Tamil in his own way, Mr. Karuppaiah said.

(from left) Actor M.G. Ramachandran, Kannadasan and actor S.S. Rajendran | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Kannadasan was active in politics and was at the forefront of the Dravidian movement. He penned songs for M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and others that carried strong political messages. In Mannathi Mannan, he wrote, “Acham Enbathu Madamaiyada; Anjaamai Dravida Udaimaiyada” (Fear is foolishness; fearlessness is the Dravidian’s possession). In Sivagangai Seemai, he wrote, “Veerargal Vaazhum Dravida Naatthai Vendravar Kidaiyaathu” (None can vanquish the Dravidian land where brave men live).

He did not hesitate to question DMK founder C.N. Annadurai after the latter gave up the demand for a separate Dravida Nadu, even though his unbounded admiration for the leader was evident in his poems.

In hindsight, it might appear that Kannadasan was being politically unwise in parting ways with Annadurai at a time when political power seemed within reach. In an era when poets often sought the favour of those in power through obsequious praise, Kannadasan chose instead to take what he considered a principled stand.

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.