Kannadasan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kannadasan
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| Born | Muthiah 24 June 1927 Sirukoodalpatti, Madras Presidency, British India (present-day Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Died | 17 October 1981 (aged 54) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Pen name | KaraimuthuPulavar Vanangamudi Kanakappriyan Parvathinathan Arokiyasamy |
| Occupation | Poet, novelist, lyricist, politician, film producer, literary editor |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Subject | Poetry and literature |
| Notable works | Arthamulla Indhu Madham Yesu Kaaviyam |
| Notable awards | National Film Award for Best Lyrics 1968 Kuzhanthaikkaga Sahitya Academy Award 1980 Cheraman Kadali |
| Spouses | Ponnazhagi (Ponnammal) (m. 1950–1981; his death); 7 children Parvathi (Parvathi) (m. 1950–1981; his death); 7 children Valliammai(Valliammai) (m. 1957–1981; his death); 1 daughter |
| Children | 15 Children |
Kannadasan (born Muthiah; 24 June 1927 – 17 October 1981) was a very famous Indian writer. He was a poet, a philosopher, and wrote many songs for movies. People often call him Kaviarasu, which means "King of Poets."
Kannadasan wrote about 5000 movie songs. He also wrote 6000 poems and 232 books! His most well-known work is a 10-part series about Hinduism called Arthamulla Indhu Matham. This means "Meaningful Hindu Religion." He won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1980 for his novel Cheraman Kathali. He was also the first person to win the National Film Award for Best Lyrics in 1969. This award was for his song in the movie Kuzhanthaikkaga.
Contents
Early Life and Beliefs
Kannadasan was born Muthiah in 1927. His birthplace was Sirukudalpatti, near Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu, India. He was the eighth of ten children in his family.
When he was young, he was adopted by Chigappi Aachi. She helped him get his early school education. He studied up to the 8th grade. Later, he worked for a company before becoming an editor for a Tamil magazine. It was then that he started using the name Kannadasan.
His Journey of Faith
Muthiah was interested in the Dravidian movement when he was younger. This movement focused on Tamil language and culture. He loved Tamil literature, both poems and stories.
He read a famous poem called Thiruppaavai by Aandaal. This poem had a big impact on him. After thinking deeply, he decided to return to Hinduism. He changed his name to Kannadasan. This name means "servant of Lord Krishna" (Kannan means Krishna, and daasa means servant). He studied Hinduism deeply and wrote his famous book series, Arthamulla Indhu Matham.
Amazing Songwriting
Kannadasan's biggest gift to Tamil culture was his songwriting. Before him, many other talented lyricists wrote songs for Tamil movies. But when Kannadasan started, everything changed. He quickly became the most popular songwriter. He stayed at the top until he passed away.
Many people still believe Kannadasan is the best songwriter ever. He is seen as the greatest modern Tamil poet after Subramanya Bharathi.
He also produced a historical Tamil movie called Sivagangai Seemai. This film told the story of the Marudhu Pandaiars. They were important figures in India's fight for freedom. The song "Santhupottu" from that movie is still very popular today.
Important Books
Kannadasan wrote many different kinds of books. Here are some of his spiritual books and novels.
Spiritual Books
- Arthamulla Indhu Matham
- Yesu Kaviyam
- Bagavath geethai
- Ponmazhai
- Bajagovindam
- Sri Krishna Kavasam
- Sri Venkatesa Suprabatham - Andal Thirupaavai
- Ambigai Alagu Dharisanam
- Krishna Anthathi
- Sankara Pokisham
Notable Novels
- Cheraman kathali
- Aval oru hindhu pen
- Sivappukal mukkuththi
- Ratha pushpangal
- Avalukakga oru padal
- Swarna saraswathi
- Nadantha kathai
- Misa
- Suruthi seratha rakangal
- Mupadhu naalum pournami
- Arangamum antharangamum
- Kadal konda thennadu
- Ayiram thivu angkayarkanni
- Kamini kanchana
- Kutti kathaigal
- Oru kavinani kathai
- Velangkudi thiruvila
- Ayiramkal mandapam
- Birundhavanam
- Aachi
- Vilaku matuma sivapu
- Aathanathu aathimanthi
- Anarkalai
- Athaivida ragasiyam
- Paarimalai kodi
- Oru Nathiyin kathai
- Sembagathaman kathai
- Manampola vaalvu
- Sivakangai seemai
- Santhithen sinthithen
- Oomaiyin Kottai
- Sarasuvin soundarya lagari
- Artham ulla indhu matham
Poetry Collections
- Mutruperatha Kaviyangal
- Sri krishna anthathi
- Ambigai alagu dharisanam
- Maangani
- Paadi kudutha mangalam
- Thaipaavai
- Kannadhasan Kavithaigal Parts 1-7
His Own Story
Kannadasan also wrote books about his own life. These are called autobiographies.
- Enathu Suyasaritham
- Enathu Vasantha Kaalangal
- Vanavasam
- Manavasam
- Naan Partha Arasiyal
Film Work
Kannadasan was involved in many movies. He was most famous for his song lyrics. He also acted, wrote scripts, and produced films.
As Actor, Writer, and Producer
| Year | Film | Actor | Writer | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Parasakthi | Yes | No | No | |
| 1954 | Illara Jothi | No | Yes | No | |
| 1954 | Sugam Enge | No | Yes | No | |
| 1956 | Madurai Veeran | No | Yes | No | |
| 1956 | Tenali Raman | No | Yes | No | |
| 1957 | Mahadhevi | No | Yes | No | |
| 1958 | Maalaiyitta Mangai | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 1958 | Nadodi Mannan | No | Yes | No | |
| 1959 | Sivagangai Seemai | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 1960 | Kavalai Illaadha Manithan | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 1960 | Mannadhi Mannan | No | Yes | No | |
| 1960 | Sangilithevan | No | Yes | No | |
| 1961 | Thirudathe | No | Yes | No | |
| 1962 | Vanambadi | No | No | Yes | |
| 1962 | Sumaithaangi | No | No | Yes | |
| 1963 | Ratha Thilagam | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 1964 | Karuppu Panam | Yes | Yes | No | as a blackmailer |
| 1972 | Thiruneelakandar | No | Yes | No | |
| 1973 | Suryagandhi | Yes | No | No | as a singer in the song "Paramasivan Kazhuthilirundhu" |
| 1975 | Apoorva Raagangal | Yes | No | No | as himself |
| 1979 | Velum Mayilum Thunai | Yes | No | No | |
| 1981 | Deiva Thirumanangal | Yes | No | No |
Poet Laureate
At the time of his death, Kannadasan was the official poet of the Government of Tamil Nadu. This special title is called "Poet Laureate."
He wrote two important autobiographies. One was called Vanavasam. It was about his earlier life when he was an atheist and part of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam political party. The second book was Manavasam. This book was about his life after he left that political party.
His Impact on Tamil Literature
Kannadasan was a very productive writer. He wrote many different things. These included poems, novels, movie songs, and spiritual books. His series Arthamulla Indhu Matham is famous for explaining Hinduism in a simple way.
Many of Kannadasan's poems have been translated into French. He admired another great poet named Kambar. Kannadasan wrote many poems praising Kambar's amazing writing. He even spoke at several Kambar festivals.
Death and Lasting Legacy
Kannadasan passed away on 17 October 1981. He was in Chicago, United States, for a Tamil conference. He was 54 years old when he died. The song "Kanne Kalaimane" from the movie 'Moondram Pirai' was released a few months later. It was his very last song.
The Government of Tamil Nadu built a special memorial hall for him. It is called "Kaviarasar Kannadasan Manimandapam" in Karaikudi. A road in Chennai where he lived was also renamed "Kannadasan street" in his honor. Many important people, including seven Chief Ministers, visited him at his home on this street.
