If the simple school teacher Iyngaran’s paeans at the 20th annual celebration of Kaviarasu Kannadasan Tamizh Sangam, Pammal, were from the heart, so was the fiery and forthright declamation of Piraisoodan, the recipient of the Kannadasan Award this year. “I was very ill, and no treatment worked. It was then that I first stumbled upon the songs, poems and his literary work, ‘Arthamulla Indu Madham.’ And believe me, it did wonders to my psyche, rejuvenated me and now I’m back to normal. Kannadasan’s literature cured me. My day isn’t complete unless I read his books or listen to his songs,” Iyngaran sounded very sincere.
M.S. Viswanathan and S. P. Muthuraman honoured Poet Piraisoodan, who in his acceptance speech dedicated his success as a verse writer to Kannadasan. Piraisoodan has penned 2000 songs for films, besides another 6000. “Imagination that easily conveyed high philosophy in simple words was Kannadasan’s forte. Place the works of Bharathi and Kannadasan on a pair of scales and you can see them evenly poised,” proclaimed Piraisoodan. To him, Kannadasan is God -- and teacher too. “Much can be gleaned from his life and his espousal of it. The man didn’t value money,” Piraisoodan went on. “‘Do I deserve the award,’ could be a query that arises in your mind. Don’t for a moment doubt it, because I definitely do, if not as a writer, as an ardent devotee of Kanndasan.”
“None here has misgivings. We know you deserve it,” countered S.P. Muthuraman in his speech.
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A free guidance cell for the uninformed lot that goes abroad for jobs was inaugurated on the occasion. An incongruity at such a function, you may think, but we wanted it here because it’s important,” explained Kavirimaindhan. And when V. Nandakumar, the brain behind the new endeavour, ‘Vazhikaati Maiyyam,’ began to narrate the woes of the gullible labour force, particularly those who go over to Arab countries, without prior knowledge of the stringent rules there, you understand that such an information bureau is imperative. “For us ‘khus khus,’ which we use in cooking, is harmless, but it is banned abroad as it is said to be made from poppy seeds. A graphic designer working in the Gulf came down to India for a short stay. The wife called him up the day he was to leave and asked him to bring a kg of the substance. He obliged, but was stopped at the airport on arrival. He spent the next eight years in prison,” began Nandakumar and dwelt on a few other such shocking stories. The cell wishes to lend a helping hand to many such people who otherwise could languish in prisons abroad.
“If your wife wants to get rid of you this way, it could be a problem. I often visit these countries, I think it’s safer not to carry luggage at all,” quipped Piraisoodan. But everyone understood the gravity of the issue.
Kavirimaindhan’s book, ‘Vaazhum Tamizhae Vaalee,’ was released on the occasion. It was announced that Vaalee would be present, and so would Dr. S. Jagathrakshagan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and AVM. Saravanan. Their absence was conspicuous and the organisers didn’t offer an explanation for it either. Yet as if to make amends, many members of Kanndasan’s family, attended the celebration. For those who know Kavirimaindhan’s reverence for Kannadasan, his book on Vaalee could seem intriguing. “But Vaalee was a poet and lyricist whom Kannadasan himself held in high esteem. And there was a moment when the latter even mistook a Vaalee song as one written by him. So Kavirimaindhan’s penchant for Valee is understandable,” said Saraswathi Ramanathan, an indispensable feature of the Pammal Sangam.
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The success of the event backed Madras City Properties.Com, is yet another example of Kannadasan’s everlasting fame.