P10316 Pattukottai Kalyana Sundaram

    
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.