Celebrated as the "People's
Poet", Pattukottai Kalyana Sundaram occupies a special place
in the history of Tamil poetry. Born in 1930, he was greatly inspired
by his father who was a poet himself. Though he did not have any
formal schooling, he was well informed and thought deeply about
the issues that were central to society. Even as a young boy he
was disturbed by the divide between the rich and the poor. The deplorable
conditions in which the poor lived moved him deeply. This is the
principal theme underlying many of his poems.
Unlike
other poets of his time, Pattukottai Kalyana Sundaram wrote in a
very simple language that was intelligible to the masses. He dispelled
the notion that poetry was only for the scholarly and brought it
closer to the common man. His poems celebrating the working class
inspired the poor and gave them the strength to face the harsh realities
of their lives.
When Periyaar E.V.Ramasami,
a renowned political leader, launched the Self-respect Movement,
untouchability, caste system and the plight of women became vital
issues. These were also close to Kalyana Sundaram's heart
and at once he went on to address them in his poems. Kalyana Sundaram
was intolerant of the superstitious beliefs that were prevalent
among the masses. In a famous poem that later became a popular film
song he ridicules the baseless fears and superstitions which blunted
rational thinking and common sense.
Following
the footsteps of Barathidaasan whom he admired, Kalyana Sundaram
embraced socialism. He urged for the need to respect the farmers
and the factory labourers. He attacked the rich who exploited the
poor and dreamt of a world where all were equal. He wrote a number
of songs for films on these issues.
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