On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of renowned Tamil poet and lyricist Kannadasan, ministers of the Tamil Nadu Government paid floral tributes yesterday at his statue located on Gopathi Narayana Road in T. Nagar, Chennai.
Born as Muthiah on June 24, 1927, in Sirukoodalpatti near Tiruppathur in Sivaganga district, Kannadasan was the son of Sathappan and Visalakshi. He completed his early education in Sirukoodalpatti and later pursued his schooling in Amaravathipudur.
From a young age, Kannadasan displayed a keen interest in literature and reading. He studied Tamil grammar and literature under the guidance of scholar Ka. Appadurai and developed a deep appreciation for works such as the Kamba Ramayanam and the poems of Subramania Bharati.
Kannadasan excelled in poetry, literature, short stories, and drama, while also serving as editor of several magazines, including Thirumagal, Thirai Oli, Medhavi, Sandamarutham, Thendral, Kannadasan, and Kaditham. His notable literary works include Maangani, Aattanathi Aathimandhi, Kavithaanjali, Thaipaavai, and Pandimadevi. He also authored more than 20 novels and essay collections.
Among his most celebrated works are Arthamulla Hindu Matham and Yesu Kaviyam, both of which received widespread acclaim. His poem Azhagi has been translated into English, Hindi, and Telugu.
Kannadasan also made an indelible mark on Tamil cinema as a lyricist and screenwriter. He penned his first film song for the movie Kanniyin Kaadhali and went on to write stories, dialogues, and more than 5,000 film songs, becoming one of the most influential lyricists in Tamil film history.
His contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the Central and State Government Awards for Best Lyricist in 1970. He was appointed Tamil Nadu's State Poet Laureate in 1978 and received the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1979.
Though he is no longer alive, Kannadasan continues to live on through his timeless literary and cinematic creations, which remain cherished by Tamil-speaking people around the world.
Every year on June 24, the Tamil Nadu Government commemorates his birth anniversary with official celebrations in Chennai and at the Kannadasan Memorial Hall in Karaikudi, Sivaganga district.
The centenary tribute event was attended by Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar, Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N. Anand, Food and Civil Supplies Minister P. Venkataramanan, Finance, Planning and Development Minister N. Maria Wilson, Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services Minister Dr. R. Kumar, legislators, senior government officials, and representatives of the Information and Public Relations Department.