Paeans to a creative genius
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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Kaviarasu Kannadasan Thamizh Sangam organised a function in honour of the great poet-lyricist and writer and conferred awards on veterans, recently.
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PHOTO: R. SHIVAJI RAO
JOYOUS MOMENT: Gangai Amaran with the Kannadasan Award. MSV and Ramamurthy look on.
The indefatigable energy and veritable passion of Kaviarasu Kannadasan Thamizh Sangam (for membership call 22485633; 22631496) that celebrates the writer-lyricist-poet's birthday every year continues to impress film aficionados, musicians and litterateurs alike. The packed hall said it all as ardent admirers of Kannadasan thronged the venue. Held at Vani Mahal, it was a three-in-one event — celebration of the doyen's 80th birthday and the 15th anniversary of the Sangam, and distribution of Kannadasan awards.
No event to glorify Kannadasan can be complete without the presence of M.S.Viswanathan. Composing greats MSV and Ramamurthy gave away the award to singer, composer, writer, director and producer Gangai Amaran. Veteran actor Sripriya Rajkumar was another recipient. "It's not a one-day remembrance for me. Every day is a celebration of my association with Kannadasan. I have his photograph in my puja room. I never move out of the house without paying obeisance to him. And in a week he visits me in my dreams at least thrice," said MSV in a choked voice.
In his pithy note Ramamurthy recalled the days when in a two-hour composing session Kannadasan would joke and chat with MSV for most part of the time. The last 15 minutes would suffice for him to come out with innumerable pallavis for the composers to choose from.
The awardees
Sripriya is all smiles as she receives the honour from a Sangam member.
"This is an honour I'll cherish forever," began Gangai Amaran. His witty remarks had the audience in splits, even as he lucidly, with musical interpolations, extolled the lyrical skills of Kannadasan. With pride, he dwelt on the opportunity he got to serve as Kannadasan's assistant. "Please include me in the activities of Kannadasan Sangam," was his request.
It was a pleasure to listen to Sripriya's fluent, felicitous expression. That artistes down South don't get due recognition, is a fact that has always gnawed her, she said. A scene in `Nakshatram' had her receiving an award. (She played an actor in the film.) But Kannadasan noticed her sitting morose. "What's the matter," he asked. "Nothing. I think we can win awards only this way," was her bitter reply. "Don't worry! I'll honour you with an award," he pacified her in a light vein. "And today at his 80th birthday celebrations it has come true," said Sripriya in her acceptance speech.
Moving moments were aplenty in former MP, S. Jagatrakshagan's (chief guest) recollection of the work and times of Kannadasan.
His eyes turned moist, when, quoting the genius' work he said, "The man prayed for life till just 70, yet he was snatched away at the age of 55."
Vociferous in his opinion of present-day lyricists, the special speaker of the evening, litterateur Pazha. Karuppiah, minced no words. And if Jagatrakshagan touched upon the self-confidence of Kannadasan, Karuppiah eulogised the self-respect of the man, who was forthright in his conviction. "He bowed to none, nor did he indulge in sycophancy to curry favours," he said.
Generally, Kanmani Subbu's (son of the legend) vote of thanks is sprinkled with interesting titbits from his famous father's life, but this time round, paucity of time made him curtail it to just a two-minute formality. Saraswathi Ramanathan was the emcee as always.
With so many showering encomiums on the gifted poet every year, even two and a half decades after his demise, you think there's nothing you do not know about either the man's greatness or his foibles. But every time you are proved wrong when speakers bring out fresh anecdotal pieces and make the speeches riveting.
This year's celebration was again an event you couldn't afford to miss.
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